Isack Hadjar Battles Through Seatbelt Discomfort to Reach Q2 and Q3

Formula 1 driver Isack Hadjar faced an unexpected challenge during the Japanese Grand Prix, nearly forcing him out in Q1 due to discomfort caused by his seatbelts. Despite this, he managed to complete an “unbelievable” lap and secure a spot in both Q2 and Q3, ultimately qualifying seventh on the grid.

Seatbelt Issue Causes Discomfort for Hadjar

In FP3, Hadjar reported an unspecified cockpit issue over the radio, and during the first part of qualifying, he mentioned that the problem had recurred as he tried to break into Q2. It was later revealed that his seatbelts were fastened too tightly, but he couldn’t alleviate the pain during Q1 due to time constraints.

During the interim, the issue was addressed, allowing Hadjar to continue in the race. However, this adjustment only occurred after he had cleared the first qualifying hurdle.

Hadjar’s Determination Leads to Success

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hadjar expressed his pride in overcoming the pain and reaching Q2. He admitted that it was a “nightmare” but managed to pull through with an impressive lap in Q1.

In subsequent interviews with media outlets like Motorsport.com, Hadjar elaborated on his experience, stating that he had to deal with the discomfort during Q1 due to lack of time and push through Q2. Upon returning to the car and repositioning his seatbelts, he felt no further issues.

Hadjar Outperforms Teammate and Rivals in Qualifying

Despite the challenges faced, Hadjar managed to qualify seventh for the Japanese GP, matching his result from the Chinese Grand Prix. This achievement saw him outqualify new team-mate Liam Lawson and Red Bull recruit Yuki Tsunoda.

Hadjar’s Confidence Grows Throughout Qualifying

In an interview with Sky Sports F1, Hadjar explained that he gradually became more confident as the session progressed, feeling comfortable enough in the car to take risks during Q3. This bold approach ultimately placed him above Lewis Hamilton on the grid.

Hadjar attributed his success to improvements made with the balance and settings of the car, which allowed it to perform optimally during that final lap of Q3. He expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating that he couldn’t have gone faster.