Isack Hadjar says Lewis Hamilton ‘can’t stand’ one of his biggest ever Formula 1 rivals

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Isack Hadjar has got to know Lewis Hamilton well since he joined the Formula 1 grid at the start of 2025. Having idolised the British driver as a child, he’s followed his career closely.

The seven-time world champion’s career has been defined by some bitter rivalries. In his very first season, Hamilton and Alonso fought to be McLaren’s number one, ultimately finishing level on points – just one behind world champion Kimi Raikkonen.

After he left McLaren for Mercedes, Hamilton contested three title battles against teammate Nico Rosberg. He was too good for the German in the first two, but lost out by five points in 2016 just before Rosberg retired.

And, most recently, Hamilton fought Max Verstappen for the 2021 championship – one of the most unforgettable battles in the sport’s history. The relationship between Mercedes and Red Bull completely collapsed.

Isack Hadjar says Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg ‘can’t stand’ each other

During an appearance on the Clique podcast, Hadjar was asked about friendships that had become rivalries, and Hamilton and Rosberg immediately sprang to mind.

They had an almost fraternal relationship as teenagers when racing in the junior categories. But the stakes at Mercedes proved to be too high for their bond to last.

Since Rosberg retired, the two drivers have hardly interacted in the public eye. Hadjar says ‘they can’t stand’ one another.

“I’m sorry to say in F1, but Hamilton and Rosberg, I think they’re the biggest example,” said Hadjar. “They were best friends, and now they can’t stand each other anymore. It’s a shame.”

Nico Rosberg never had Lewis Hamilton’s ‘talent’, Isack Hadjar says

Hadjar is, in a sense, inspired by Rosberg. He says the 2010 Mercedes signing never had the ‘talent’ or raw speed of Hamilton, but he addressed the deficit with ‘extra hours’.

In addition to studying data and onboard footage intensely, Rosberg tried to force Hamilton into mistakes by using mind games. He’s the only teammate to beat him to a championship.

“There are guys who could make a career because they spend hours with the engineers,” Hadjar explained. “I know that Rosberg doesn’t have Hamilton’s talent, he doesn’t have his speed, and yet he competed with him because he did extra hours.”

Rosberg was ‘scared’ at the end of 2016 as he defended a considerable lead. Hamilton whittled it down with four consecutive wins, but his rival held his nerve.