Formula 3 rookie Isack Hadjar became the first driver to secure a seat in Formula 2 after an impressive debut season.
The seventeen-year-old, Red Bull Academy driver has seemingly impressed boss Helmut Marko. Both Marko and the driver confirmed that Hadjar would be joining Formula 2 for the 2023 season after finishing fourth in the standings this year in F3.
Having only made his single-seater debut in 2019, Isack Hadjar began his career in the French F4 championship where he finished seventh overall after taking a victory in Spa. Two years later he signed onto the Red Bull Junior Team and raced in both FREC and F3 Asian Championship, finishing fifth and sixth respectively.
Toward the end of 2021, Hadjar took part in Formula 3 post-season testing for Hitech GP. He was later announced by the team in January 2022 as part of their plans for the upcoming F3 season. In the first part of 2022, he finished third in the FRAC standings and secured the rookie title before beginning the Formula 3 season in March.
After taking an impressive win in the opening F3 round at Bahrain, Hadjar quickly looked at home in the series. He went on to take two more victories and five podiums in 2022.
Heartbreak for Hadjar
Entering the final round at Monza, Hadjar was second in the standings with a five-point deficit to Victor Martins. In qualifying, Hadjar set a purple sector in Sector 1 and looked on course for Pole position. However, a spin denied him not only a chance at the pole but a top ten start. Starting P16 Hadjar desperately tried to climb his way up the field to no avail. He finished P4 in the standings behind fellow rookies Zane Maloney and Oliver Bearman on the final day.
NEWS | 🇫🇷 Fourth in the final FIA F3 standings, Isack Hadjar has confirmed to @CanalplusF1 he would step up to F2 next season.
"It was a good season, but there are still many things to correct and improve in the future from my side. I will have the opportunity to do it in F2" pic.twitter.com/CuSBAYzVRm
— Feeder Series (@feeder_series) September 11, 2022
2023 onwards
In an interview with French channel CanalPlus, Hadjar confirmed he would race for Formula 2 next year. His team is currently unknown but it seems likely he may drive for Hitech-GP.
Team Boss Helmut Marko stated that Hadjar would be the perfect candidate for Alpha Tauri in 2024.
“If he performs well in F2, there is a good chance that Isack Hadjar could be seen in F1 in 2024.”
Stay tuned for further F2 and F3 2023 lineup announcements.
