Isack Hadjar reveals what he learned from Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri after his first F1 podium.
Isack Hadjar’s first Formula 1 podium wasn’t just a milestone — it was also a learning experience for the young driver.
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The French rookie celebrated at Zandvoort, then picked up a few useful lessons from Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri in the cooldown room after the race.
Photo by Gabriele Lanzo – Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar discovers the finer details of life at the top
Speaking on the Talking Bulls podcast, Isack Hadjar admitted he didn’t realize drivers change into fresh race suits after the podium ceremony.
Hadjar said the experience quickly showed him how small routines separate veterans like Max Verstappen and now, Oscar Piastri, from newcomers in F1.
“It was a completely new procedure for me,” he said. “I remember being in the cooldown room with Max and Oscar. They were all ready for that. They had their trainers with towels, they could change.
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“I looked at Harry [Mann, performance coach], I was like, ‘Have you brought me a towel?’ He was like, ‘No.’ I asked, ‘Do you have new underwear for me?’
“They all had brand new suits because after the podium, you stink. They got changed, they had this custom towel where they fit it around them so they can actually get changed.
“I was amazed. During the press conference, these guys smelled good and brand new. I was like, ‘That’s not fair!’”
Podium moment marks step forward in Isack Hadjar’s development
The podium at Zandvoort marked a turning point for Isack Hadjar’s rookie season. A late retirement for Lando Norris elevated him to third place behind Piastri and Verstappen, giving the 19-year-old a first taste of the sport’s elite company both on and off the track.
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Hadjar later said the moment reinforced how much preparation and professionalism goes into Formula 1 at the highest level.
Beyond the champagne and celebration, he realised the smallest habits — from recovery routines to media readiness — define how top drivers carry themselves.
That sense of detail, Hadjar said, will stay with him as he joins Red Bull full-time for the 2026 season alongside Max Verstappen.
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