Isack Hadjar's Conflicted Loyalty: Red Bull Future Meets Hamilton Heartbreak Over Contentious 2021 F1 Title Decider

Isack Hadjar, the promising Racing Bulls rookie set to join the senior Red Bull Racing team in 2026, recently offered a candid glimpse into his personal reaction to the dramatic and controversial conclusion of the 2021 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast during the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, Hadjar admitted to a visceral, almost destructive response, stating he was "smashing the TV" as the events unfolded. Despite his deep ties to the Red Bull ecosystem, which will see him partner Max Verstappen in just over a year, Hadjar acknowledged feeling a complex mix of emotions, particularly sympathy for his childhood hero, Lewis Hamilton.

The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remains one of the most contentious moments in modern Formula 1 history, a race that decided the World Championship in a manner that polarized fans and experts alike. Heading into the final race of the season, Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and Max Verstappen of Red Bull were tied on points, setting the stage for a winner-takes-all showdown. Hamilton appeared to be cruising to a record-breaking eighth world title, leading comfortably for much of the race. However, a late-race safety car, deployed after Nicholas Latifi crashed, dramatically altered the outcome. Under the controversial direction of then-Race Director Michael Masi, only the lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen were allowed to unlap themselves, creating a direct, one-lap shootout between the two title rivals on fresh tyres for Verstappen. Verstappen seized the opportunity, overtaking Hamilton on the final lap to claim his maiden world championship. The decision-making process during the safety car period was heavily scrutinized, leading to Masi’s eventual removal from his role and significant reforms in race control procedures. For many, including Hadjar, the outcome was a moment of profound heartbreak, particularly for those who had followed Hamilton’s career.

Hadjar, reflecting on that fateful day, painted a vivid picture of his solitude and intense emotional investment. "I was alone in my room," he recounted. "There’s no cameras, there’s no mic or anything, there’s just me in front of my screen, smashing the TV, and that’s it." This raw, unadulterated outburst underscores the deep personal connection many, including future F1 drivers, have with the sport and its protagonists. His reaction was not merely that of a casual observer but of a young aspiring racer who had idolized one of the figures at the heart of the drama.

Yet, Hadjar’s perspective was not singular. His identity within the Red Bull family introduced an immediate conflict of loyalty. Having been nurtured through the Red Bull Junior Team – a prestigious programme renowned for identifying and developing future F1 talent – Hadjar understood the significance of Verstappen’s victory for the organization that was paving his own path to the pinnacle of motorsport. "But obviously I was happy for Red Bull because at the end of the day it’s not Mercedes that gave me a shot at F1. They didn’t sign me," he explained. This pragmatic acknowledgement highlights the professional gratitude and allegiance that comes with being part of such a high-stakes, competitive environment. "So I felt bad for him… But mixed feelings," he concluded, encapsulating the internal struggle between personal admiration and professional affiliation.

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The source of Hadjar’s empathy for Hamilton is rooted in a long-standing admiration. The young driver has frequently cited Hamilton as his childhood hero, a figure whose achievements and presence in the sport inspired his own aspirations. "I remember when I was watching TV as a kid, I was like, ‘I hope he doesn’t retire,’ you know? Like… I want to get there once he’s still racing," Hadjar revealed. This sentiment is a common thread among a generation of drivers who grew up watching Hamilton dominate, secure seven world championships, and break numerous records. The prospect of competing against such a legendary figure is a powerful motivator for any aspiring racer.

In a twist of fate that Hadjar himself describes as "quite iconic," his debut season in Formula 1 in 2025 coincides with a momentous chapter in Hamilton’s career: his much-anticipated move to Scuderia Ferrari. This highly publicized transfer, announced earlier this year, marks the end of Hamilton’s long and successful tenure with Mercedes and the beginning of a new challenge with the sport’s most iconic team. For Hadjar, this convergence of timelines is a dream realized. "Actually, my first year in F1 is his first year with Ferrari, so it’s quite iconic in a way," he noted. "I’m just very lucky because I never thought I would be racing with him. I thought he would retire, I’d get to F1 later. And now to be here and racing him is just… It’s a huge privilege." This underscores the profound impact Hamilton has had on the sport and the personal significance for Hadjar to share the grid with him.

Despite this profound respect and admiration, Hadjar’s competitive spirit remains undimmed. He made it clear that while he holds Hamilton in high regard, once on track, the professional rivalry takes precedence. "I got to race him as well a few times this year," he mentioned, referring to his 2025 rookie season with Racing Bulls. "While he has incredible respect for Hamilton, he added he’d never ‘open the door’ for the seven-time world champion." This declaration is a testament to the uncompromising nature of Formula 1, where every position is hard-fought, and no quarter is given, regardless of personal hero-worship.

Hadjar’s journey to this point has been marked by steady progression and notable performance. Having come through the ranks of the Red Bull Junior Team, competing in feeder series such as Formula 3 and Formula 2, he earned his F1 call-up with Racing Bulls for the 2025 season. As a rookie, he has made a substantial impression, demonstrating both pace and consistency. His inaugural season saw him accumulate a respectable 51 points, a significant tally for a first-year driver, especially within the fiercely competitive midfield. A highlight of his rookie campaign was securing a podium finish, a rare feat for a debutant and a clear indicator of his potential. This strong showing has not gone unnoticed by the senior Red Bull management, who have a history of promoting talent from their sister team.

His impressive 2025 performance ultimately paved the way for his promotion to Red Bull Racing for the 2026 season, where he will join the reigning World Champion, Max Verstappen. This move represents a significant milestone in Hadjar’s nascent career and validates Red Bull’s long-term investment in his talent. "It’s a very good moment in my career, that’s for sure," he told the media ahead of the final race of the 2025 season. "For all the hard work through the years being rewarded now." The announcement places him squarely among the elite, within a team that has been the dominant force in Formula 1 for several seasons.

The timing of his promotion is also significant, aligning with a major overhaul of Formula 1’s technical regulations in 2026. These new rules, which will introduce revised chassis designs and significantly altered power unit configurations, are expected to usher in a "new era" for the sport. For Hadjar, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge. "Obviously, it’s just the beginning of a new journey. But I’m very excited and stepping into a new era of Formula 1 as well," he articulated. "I think it’s very good timing." A new regulatory cycle often shuffles the competitive order, and a fresh start could benefit a young driver adapting to a top team.

Hadjar’s partnership with Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026 will be one of the most anticipated driver pairings on the grid. Verstappen, a multi-time world champion, is widely regarded as one of the fastest and most formidable drivers in Formula 1 history. Racing alongside such a benchmark will provide Hadjar with an unparalleled opportunity for growth, but also an immense challenge. The dynamic between teammates at Red Bull has historically been intense, with the team often favoring a clear hierarchy. Hadjar will need to demonstrate not only his speed but also his mental fortitude to thrive in such an environment. His elevation from Racing Bulls, where he honed his skills and proved his mettle, to the top-tier Red Bull team underscores the organization’s confidence in his ability to perform under pressure and contribute to their championship ambitions.

As Isack Hadjar looks ahead to a future where he will race alongside his childhood hero and compete for championships with the team that nurtured his career, his conflicted emotions regarding the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix serve as a poignant reminder of the personal narratives woven into the fabric of professional sport. His journey, marked by both personal admiration and unwavering team loyalty, positions him as a compelling figure to watch in the evolving landscape of Formula 1.

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Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.