HINCHCLIFFE: Hadjar had a nightmare start to his first F1 season – but might end it as the most celebrated rookie on the grid

IndyCar star and F1 TV pundit James Hinchcliffe explains how Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar is emerging as one of the standout talents in his rookie F1 year

IndyCar Race Winner and AnalystJames Hinchcliffe

IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 16: Isack Hadjar of France driving the (6) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls VCARB 02

When this year’s Formula 1 season kicked off in Melbourne the grid featured a highly touted – and unusually large – crop of rookies. You had Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes wunderkind tasked with taking up the seat previously occupied by a seven-time World Champion.

Liam Lawson had been promoted to the Red Bull A-team after impressive runs with VCARB last season. Ollie Bearman likewise got the nod from Haas off the back of some super-sub performances for both the American team and Ferrari.

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HINCHCLIFFE: Hadjar had a nightmare start to his first F1 season – but might end it as the most celebrated rookie on the grid

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