Isack Hadjar pinpoints the moment he realised just how ‘special’ Lewis Hamilton was, ‘really raised the level…’

Follow us on Google Discover

Lewis Hamilton has formed a bond with Isack Hadjar since the young Frenchman joined the F1 grid in March. Hamilton has rather taken the rookie under his wing.

Before he reached F1, Hadjar made it clear that Hamilton was his idol. His career got off to a disastrous start when he spun out and found the barriers during a wet formation lap at the Australian GP.

Along with his father Anthony, Hamilton comforted a teary Hadjar after that incident. The seven-time world champion was hailed for his ‘really classy’ text message.

Hadjar could be seen cheering on Hamilton during a recent qualifying session at the British GP. The Red Bull junior has been one of this year’s breakout stars after commendably brushing off his Melbourne mishap.

Isack Hadjar purrs over Lewis Hamilton performance at 2020 Turkish Grand Prix

Speaking on the ‘Interlude’ YouTube channel, Hadjar shared some of his memories of watching Hamilton as a child. He was only four years old when the Briton won his first world championship at McLaren.

Hamilton’s most recent title, which saw him equal Michael Schumacher’s all-time record, came in 2020. He sealed it at the Turkish GP with three races to spare.

While Mercedes were extremely dominant that year, they were struggling on an Istanbul Park circuit that was likened to an ice rink due to a brand-new surface and wet weather.

Hamilton only qualified sixth, some five seconds off the extraordinary benchmark set by Lance Stroll. But he produced a strategic masterclass in the race by nursing his intermediate tyres through 50 laps.

“I remember when he won his seventh title,” Hadjar said of Hamilton, who took victory by over 30 seconds. “That’s when I realised how special he was. I knew it, but he really raised the level that weekend.

“It was the rare weekend where the Mercedes didn’t work. He found a way, in really bad conditions, in the rain, to win the Grand Prix with ease to go get his seventh title. I said, ‘He’s special’.”

Lewis Hamilton’s comments about Isack Hadjar show he’s a truly ‘good person’

Hadjar was also shown an interview Hamilton conducted in March, where he revealed that he’d asked the debutant for a photo. He clarified that his door was ‘always open’ and added that ‘one race doesn’t define you’.

“It was cool that he made it clear that I didn’t take a photo as a fanboy, even though I was really happy,” Hadjar recalled. “It was his first Grand Prix for Ferrari, and he said to me, ‘Go ahead, take a photo. I said, I’ll take a photo with you, no problem’. It was really cool.”

Now that they’re sharing the same pit lane, he’s realised that his idol is a genuinely ‘good person’. Hadjar knows Hamilton is no longer at his peak, but still regards him as the greatest ever.

He said: “In addition to being my idol – I grew up watching him, when he was winning all the races – and the greatest driver of all time, he is, above all, a good person.”