Isack Hadjar admits he wasn’t ready for what happens after an F1 podium

Isack Hadjar has revealed a cooldown room blunder he suffered after clinching his first Formula 1 podium during the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix.

The French-Algerian driver finished third behind race winner Oscar Piastri and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen - a moment he had hoped for but didn't think would be possible in his rookie season.

"I wanted that podium that year, but I honestly didn't think it was going to happen," he said during an appearance on Red Bull's Talking Bull podcast.

While it would be easy to forget the moments between pulling up on the grid after the race and the podium, Hadjar revealed why it has stuck in his mind.

"I do [remember] because it was a completely new procedure for me," he explained. 

"I remember being in the cool room with Max and Oscar. And they were ready for that. They had their trainers with towels so they could change, and I looked at Harry, my guy. I was like, 'You brought me a towel?' He was like, 'No,' because he didn't know either.

"And they all had brand new suits because after the podium, you stink. They get changed, and they had this custom towel where they fit it around them so they can actually get changed. I was amazed. I was like, 'Wow.'"

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

Photo by: Jayce Illman / Getty Images

He added: "During the press conference, these guys smelled good. They were in brand new [suits]."

Discussing the moment he pulled up to the third-place board on the grid after the race, he recounted the feeling and feedback from the crowd.

"Even when I parked the car at the third board. I jumped out, and I was on the left-hand side, I was the closest to the grandstand and I jumped out of the car, and I waved at the crowd, and it responded back to me. Wow. I was like, 'This is insane.'"

Hadjar went on to secure a contract with Red Bull for 2026 to drive alongside four-time champion Verstappen.