Isack Hadjar 'mental abilities tested' after 'world scene' F1 crash

Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer has hailed the mental recovery of Isack Hadjar following the gut-wrenching beginning to his F1 career. Promoted to the Racing Bulls line-up after finishing as runner-up in last season's F2 championship, Hadjar made the worst possible start to his F1 debut when crashing out on the formation lap in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in wet conditions. Many junior drivers may have crumbled after that, particularly in the Red Bull family, where the demands of advisor Helmut Marko are incredibly high, but the 20-year-old has bounced back sensationally. Since then, Hadjar has scored points in five of eight races, including the last three, to sit ninth in the driver's standings. "In a way, the crash [in Australia] tested his mental abilities, and in a way, it also put him on the world scene within a couple of seconds," said Bayer, speaking to RacingNews365 . "Usually in that scenario, a car would crash, and the cameras would follow the other cars, but because it was the opening lap, he was in the spotlight for a very long time. "For him, it's about racing. That's what we said from day one. Off track, he's such a great kid. He's a happy, energetic, positive, young man, and we're very happy to have him." Hadjar's performances since Australia have resulted in suggestions he could be a contender for a promotion to Red Bull for next season if the team opts not to renew Yuki Tsunoda's contract. The Japanese driver has struggled since his promotion after just two races of this season, when he replaced Liam Lawson as team principal Christian Horner, along with Marko, recognised the move for the New Zealander was too much too soon. Suggested to Bayer that Hadjar had been 'a little pot of gold' for Racing Bulls this season, he replied: "He is, honestly. "Somebody asked me recently, 'What's different with Isack, compared to all the others you've seen?', and I have to say, it's just his passion for racing and driving. If he could, I think he would drive 24 hours a day. "He's pushing in the car. He's starting to anticipate, starting to ask, 'Who's ahead? What's the gap?' Also, in terms of car set-up, he is more on board, so it's great to see him perform. "And he's P9 in the drivers' championship now, which is outstanding for him."