Lewis Hamilton uses just one word to describe Isack Hadjar after his maiden Dutch Grand Prix podium

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Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar created history at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Isack Hadjar became the youngest Frenchman ever to finish on the podium in a Formula 1 race.

Only Max Verstappen, Lance Stroll, Lando Norris and fellow 2025 F1 rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli can claim to have beaten the Racing Bulls driver’s record of being 20 years, 11 months and three days old when he stood on the lowest step of the podium at the Dutch Grand Prix.

It didn’t look like it was going to be an easy race weekend for Hadjar after the summer break.

The Frenchman had belt issues in FP1 and failed to complete a lap when his power unit failed at the beginning of FP2.

That didn’t stop him from putting in what he claimed was the ‘best lap’ of his life, to qualify fourth, behind the two McLaren drivers and Verstappen.

Fans clamoured for Hadjar after qualifying, but that reaction was quickly multiplied after the race.

Oscar Piastri felt sorry for Norris as he suffered a mechanical failure at the end of the race, giving the Australian a significant advantage in the drivers’ championship, but also promoting Hadjar into third.

After expertly holding off Charles Leclerc and George Russell, Hadjar took the chequered flag, although by this point, his hero Lewis Hamilton was already watching from the garage after his accident.

Hadjar has always admired Hamilton, and the seven-time world champion used just one word to describe his performance at Zandvoort.

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls 2025 F1 driver Isack Hadjar? Everything you need to know

Lewis Hamilton calls Isack Hadjar a ‘legend’ after Dutch Grand Prix podium finish

Posting on Instagram after the race, Hadjar said: “Happy me with half a trophy! Surreal day, thank you Visa Cash App RB.”

Hadjar was referring to the moment he was taking a team photo to celebrate his result, and the top of his trophy snapped off in his hand.

In response to Hadjar’s post, Hamilton simply called the 20-year-old a ‘Legend’, highlighting just how impressed he was with his performance.

Hamilton’s own post on Instagram was more reflective after another difficult weekend.

However, there was another message for Hadjar at the end when he said: “A result like today is tough to accept, but there are plenty of positives I’m focusing on moving forward.

“We made improvements with our approach, and the changes implemented are clearly showing progress.

“Although we’re not yet where we want to be, I’m confident we’re moving in the right direction.

“To my incredible team, I’ll leave no stone unturned to recover the points lost, and my determination to fight for us won’t waver.

“Now, it’s onwards to Monza, where our passionate Tifosi will be waiting — can’t wait to see everyone there.

“And well done, Isack Hadjar, on your first podium – I’m so happy for you and your family!”

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Lewis Hamilton’s crash analysed by Karun Chandhok as Ferrari endure pointless Dutch Grand Prix

Ferrari couldn’t have come back from the F1 summer break and had a worse weekend if they tried.

Karun Chandhok spotted something ‘odd’ about Hamilton’s crash, as the 40-year-old went off as the famous banked turn three as the rain started, and was unable to regain control before clipping the tyre barriers.

Charles Leclerc was running behind Hadjar, although Leclerc wasn’t happy with the decision to pit him for new tyres, which immediately ended in disaster.

When he came out of the pit lane, he immediately went wheel-to-wheel with Antonelli before the Italian drove into the side of him, ending his race at the same corner as where Hamilton crashed.

Regardless of what happened with the two Ferrari drivers, Hadjar never looked like losing a position from his second-row start.

And while he needed a bit of luck with Norris’ DNF to finish on the podium, Hadjar produced the best weekend of his Formula 1 career so far and was deservedly lauded by Hamilton and his fellow drivers.