Isack Hadjar Shines at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix: A Closer Look at the Race
The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix was a significant event for Isack Hadjar, the only graduate from FIA Formula 2 to earn points during the race. He achieved a commendable sixth place finish in his Racing Bulls car. This year’s race featured five drivers who made their debut at Monaco after graduating from Formula 2, adding an exciting dynamic to the competition. Among them, Lando Norris, who finished as the runner-up in the 2018 F2 season, took the top spot, securing a victory for McLaren.
The race saw various performances from other F2 graduates. Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, both former PREMA teammates, finished in 12th and 18th places, respectively. Gabriel Bortoleto, the reigning Formula 2 Champion, faced challenges throughout the race, including an early setback when he damaged his car on the first lap. Despite this, he managed to recover and cross the finish line in 14th place. Franco Colapinto, who previously raced with MP Motorsport, finished 13th in his second outing with Alpine.
Hadjar’s Strategic Sixth Place Finish
Isack Hadjar’s success can be attributed to a combination of his individual skill and the collaborative efforts of his team. The French racer, only 20 years old, impressed during qualifying by reaching Q3 and securing a sixth-place starting position. However, due to a penalty issued to Lewis Hamilton for impeding fellow driver Max Verstappen, Hadjar began the race in fifth place.
During the race, Hadjar encountered a challenging situation when he lost his position to a Ferrari driver after the initial round of pit stops. The race regulations mandated that each driver complete two pit stops, adding an element of strategy to the event. Despite this setback, Hadjar expressed his satisfaction with his performance, highlighting his teammate Liam Lawson’s role in creating a strategic advantage. Lawson, who was running in ninth place, effectively slowed down the competition behind him, allowing Hadjar to maintain his position after completing his required stops.
Hadjar reflected on his race day, stating, “I’m really happy, and honestly, there was nothing more I could have done today in the race, so I consider it kind of a small victory. We had a plan, and we executed it perfectly.” He emphasized the importance of teamwork, noting that a double-points finish was a rewarding outcome for the entire Racing Bulls team. The added complexity of two required pit stops made the race more engaging, and Hadjar’s team successfully navigated this to their advantage.
Bearman’s Resilient Performance
Oliver Bearman faced a challenging start to the race after receiving a 10-place grid penalty for overtaking Carlos Sainz during a red flag period in practice. Starting from the back of the grid, Bearman managed to recover to 12th place by the end of the race. His performance was commendable, especially considering the obstacles he faced.
Bearman remarked on his race, saying, “I think we did the maximum we could today as there were no points on the table with the way that the race panned out. The car was fantastic though, especially on Saturday. It was a good strategy today, but with a 10-place grid penalty, there were no points on offer today.” His ability to navigate traffic and make the most of his situation showcased his talent and determination, even though he ultimately fell short of scoring points.
Antonelli’s Struggles
Andrea Kimi Antonelli had a challenging race day, finishing in 18th place after a difficult qualifying session that saw him crash out at the end of Q1. The incident, which occurred when he clipped the barrier at the chicane after the tunnel, left him with limited options for improvement during the race. Starting from P15, Antonelli found himself at a disadvantage due to the strategic maneuvers of other drivers, which further hindered his chances of gaining positions on the track.
Despite his struggles, Antonelli did not express surprise at his performance. He noted, “I am disappointed with today’s result, but that was ultimately not a surprise having qualified P15 yesterday. It was not the most exciting race we’ve ever done, and the strategy didn’t work out in our favor.” His reflections highlight the unpredictable nature of racing, where qualifying performance can significantly impact race outcomes.
South American Drivers’ Challenges
The race also featured performances from drivers hailing from South America, including Franco Colapinto from Argentina and Gabriel Bortoleto from Brazil. Colapinto, who started in 18th place, acknowledged the difficulty of reaching the points from his position. He ultimately finished 13th, which he described as the best he could manage given the circumstances.
Colapinto expressed his frustrations about the race, stating, “It was just a tough race to round off a difficult weekend here in Monaco. We struggled with low-speed balance, and we just could not make the car work as we wanted here.” His experience reflects the challenges many drivers face when trying to adapt to the unique demands of the Monaco circuit.
Bortoleto’s race was also marked by a significant incident on the opening lap, where he battled with Antonelli. The two drivers exchanged positions, but Bortoleto ultimately found himself in a precarious situation as he made contact with the barriers. This incident necessitated the deployment of a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) as race officials responded to the situation. Bortoleto managed to salvage a 14th-place finish, but he was left feeling frustrated.
“It’s frustrating because I felt that, without the incident, we could have been in a position to try playing the team game as well and maybe make some gains,” Bortoleto shared, indicating the competitive nature of the race and the fine line between success and failure.
Conclusion
The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix proved to be a pivotal moment for several drivers, showcasing their skills and resilience amid the challenges of one of the most iconic circuits in motorsport. Isack Hadjar’s sixth-place finish stands out as a testament to effective teamwork and strategic execution. Meanwhile, the experiences of Oliver Bearman, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Franco Colapinto, and Gabriel Bortoleto underline the unpredictability and competitiveness of Formula 2 racing.
As the season progresses, these drivers will undoubtedly reflect on their experiences in Monaco as they prepare for upcoming races, each aiming to refine their strategies and enhance their performances on the track. The lessons learned and the challenges faced at Monaco will serve as valuable insights as they continue their journey in the world of motorsport.
