Synopsis
Anthony Hamilton expressed his heartfelt concern for rookie driver Isack Hadjar following a disappointing debut at the Australian Grand Prix. After an impressive start, Hadjar faced an unfortunate exit during the formation lap, leading Hamilton to offer him support with a comforting hug.Key Takeaways
- Anthony Hamilton empathized with Isack Hadjar after his debut setback.
- Hadjar showcased impressive skills before crashing in the formation lap.
- Hamilton described the pressure young drivers face on their debut.
- Hadjar reflected on how a minor mistake led to a disappointing outcome.
- Helmut Marko criticized Hadjar’s performance as 'embarrassing'.
Melbourne, March 17 (NationPress) Anthony Hamilton, the father of Lewis Hamilton, expressed his empathy for Isack Hadjar after the rookie driver faced a disappointing exit during the formation lap at the Australian Grand Prix. Hadjar had a remarkable start to his Formula 1 career, demonstrating his speed by being the fastest rookie in both of the initial free practice sessions and achieving an impressive 11th place on the grid in qualifying, just missing a spot in Q3.
However, on race day, the challenging weather conditions led to a disappointing turn of events when he lost control of his car at Turn 2 during the formation lap and crashed into the barriers. Consequently, he was listed as Did Not Start in the final results.
Hamilton quickly approached the young driver to offer him reassurance with a heartfelt hug.
“As soon as I witnessed what occurred with Isack, my heart sank, and I felt for him deeply. It was heartbreaking to see, as I understand the dreams these young talents harbor from the age of eight to become Formula 1 drivers,” Hamilton shared with Canal +.
“The pressure builds all the way up to the grid for your debut race, and then it just doesn’t materialize. That must be an incredibly painful experience, and I wanted to comfort him. I felt for him like a father,” he added.
Isack has drawn significant attention after Helmut Marko, a Red Bull advisor, criticized his performance, calling it ‘embarrassing.’ The 20-year-old reflected on how a minor error led to a disappointing outcome.
“I usually take it step by step and focus on having the best out lap before the race begins. Early in the lap, I attempted to heat the tires, but I overdid it. It was the smallest mistake, and then the car became uncontrollable, leaving me feeling like a mere passenger. So yes, it feels awful,” Isack explained to F1 TV.
