Isack Hadjar Reveals Hilarious Rookie Mistake From First F1 Podium
Racing for his first F1 podium, Isack Hadjar learned a hilarious rookie lesson: he was the only driver unaware of the post-podium suit change, leaving him sweaty for media duties.
Isack Hadjar's maiden F1 podium at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix was a career highlight, but the French driver has now revealed the hilarious rookie mistake that defined his post-race experience. Unaware that drivers change into fresh suits after the ceremony, Hadjar was left to conduct media duties smelling of sweat and champagne while his fellow podium finishers, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, were fresh and clean.
Why it matters:
Beyond the humor, the story highlights the immense learning curve and hidden professional routines that rookies face in Formula 1. It humanizes the sport's elite stars, showing that even on a career-defining day, a newcomer can be caught off guard by the established procedures that top teams and drivers have perfected. It also underscores the support system (trainers, equipment) that separates the front-running teams from the rest.
The details:
- Hadjar was promoted to his first podium after McLaren's Lando Norris suffered a late-race mechanical issue, putting him alongside Verstappen and Piastri.
- In the cooldown room, he saw the champions prepared with trainers and towels, while he had nothing. "I looked at Harry [Mann, performance coach], I was like ‘Have you brought me a towel?’ He was like, ‘No’.
- He discovered they all had brand new suits to change into, a procedure he was completely unaware of. "During the press conference, these guys smelled good and brand new. I was like ‘that’s not fair!’"
- The Frenchman also recalled the powerful emotion of the moment, parking his car and seeing the grandstand roar in response to him. "They responded back to me, and I was like 'this is insane'."
Looking Ahead:
This memorable podium at Zandvoort was a peak moment in a strong rookie campaign that ultimately secured Hadjar a full-time drive with Red Bull for the 2026 season. The performance, and the lessons learned from it, will serve as a foundation as he prepares to team up with Max Verstappen and take on the challenge of fighting for race wins and championships from the front of the grid.