‘Petit Prost’ Hadjar embraces French-Algerian pride

Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar is carving a unique path in Formula 1, proudly carrying the flags of both France and Algeria.

Born in Paris to Algerian scientist parents and racing under a French license, Hadjar’s North African heritage sets him apart in a sport with minimal representation from the region.

With four Middle Eastern races on the current calendar and no African Grands Prix, Hadjar’s presence as the first Arab driver to race in F1 is a significant step for representation, even if the sport has yet to fully acknowledge it.

“I feel I am representing two countries,” the 20-year-old told Reuters in Saudi Arabia last weekend.

“I am the first Arab driver on the planet to make it to Formula 1. It’s huge but it went under the radar, no-one cares, but it’s huge.”

His journey hasn’t been without bumps: Hadjar’s F1 debut in Melbourne ended in tears after a crash on the formation lap.

But since that unfortunate misstep, the 20-year-old has been a young man on a mission who has scored two top-ten finishes in the last three races.

Those performances drew praise from Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who declared after Japan: “Hadjar is the surprise of the season. He’s calm and always there… he’s a really big guy coming up for the future.”

The Coolest Job on Earth

Hadjar’s rise has been shaped by his upbringing and a thoughtful approach to racing, influenced by his father, Yassine, a senior researcher in quantum mechanics and a big F1 fan.

He began karting at seven and finished as runner-up in Formula 2 last season, a campaign marked by fiery radio exchanges that reflected his hunger to reach motorsport’s elite.

Reflecting on those moments, Hadjar said: “You play with the limits of what’s allowed. In Formula 2 you are a client to the team and you’re playing your life here.

“You want to go to Formula 1, the team messes up, you’re mad at them on the radio and you say what you think.”

But now in F1, his mindset has evolved: “Here, it’s completely different. You get paid to drive. It’s the coolest job on earth, you don’t shout at people. It’s not possible.

“If I want to shout, I shout in my helmet. That’s what I do. I don’t press the radio button to say nonsense.”

From a Thoughtful Racer to ‘Petit Prost’

Early in his career, Marko nicknamed Hadjar ‘Petit Prost,’ a reference to France’s four-time world champion and F1 legend. Hadjar initially thought the comparison was lofty, but the truth was much more banal.

“I was just chewing my fingernails and he said ‘Yeah, like Prost’. He told me this. Like Prost. That’s all. It’s that simple,” the young gun explained.

“I don’t mind. Prost is a legend. It was Ayrton as a kid [that I supported] but the more I’m growing up, the more I appreciate Alain actually.

“When you are a kid you just think about speed and bright colours. You see Ayrton Senna and it’s like ‘Oh, amazing’. And then later on Lewis (Hamilton).”

But like Prost, nicknamed ‘The Professor’ for his tactical brilliance back in the day, Hadjar emphasizes strategy over raw emotion.

“I’m not going to self-proclaim myself as a smart guy but definitely I have the approach that my dad always wanted me to use my head first… just thinking when you drive and making the difference outside the car,” he explained.

This cerebral approach, combined with his recent results, signals a bright future for Hadjar as he flies the flags of France and Algeria with pride, determined to make his mark in Formula 1.

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