If you’ve watched a single Formula 1 broadcast recently, you’ve definitely heard the name. Isack Hadjar is everywhere right now. People are scrambling to figure out the backstory of the kid who just landed the most coveted seat in motorsport next to Max Verstappen for the 2026 season. So, where is Isack Hadjar from, exactly?
The short answer is Paris. But that doesn’t really tell the whole story.
Hadjar isn't your typical "silver spoon" driver who grew up on a private track in Monaco. His story is a bit more grounded, rooted in a suburban Parisian upbringing and a family background that has more to do with laboratory beakers than gearboxes. Honestly, it’s one of the more refreshing bios on the current F1 grid.
Born and Bred in the City of Light
Isack Alexandre Hadjar was born on September 28, 2004, right in the heart of Paris, France. Growing up in the French capital, he wasn't exactly surrounded by a massive racing culture. Most kids in Paris are dreaming of playing at the Parc des Princes, not hitting apexes at 200 mph.
His family background is actually super interesting because it’s so... academic? His father, Yassine, is a researcher in quantum physics. His mother, Randa, works in human resources and now manages Isack’s career. Imagine sitting at the dinner table and your dad is explaining quantum mechanics while you’re just trying to figure out how to shave a tenth off your lap time. That’s the Hadjar household.
They are an Algerian-immigrant success story. Both of his parents moved from Algeria to France to pursue their careers in science and medicine. While Isack races under the French flag and carries a French license, he is incredibly proud of his Algerian heritage.
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In fact, he’s made history. By making his debut with the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB) in 2025, he became the first driver of Arab descent to compete in Formula 1. He even keeps both the French and Algerian flags in his room. It’s a dual identity that he wears openly, often mentioning how he feels he’s representing two different worlds every time he hops into the cockpit.
The "Cars" Connection: How a Movie Sparked a Career
Most F1 drivers say they were born with a steering wheel in their hands. For Isack, it was a Pixar movie.
He’s admitted in several interviews that his obsession with racing didn't come from watching old Senna tapes. It came from watching the movie Cars. Lightning McQueen was basically his first coach. He saw that red car on screen and told his parents, "That’s it. That’s what I’m doing."
He started karting at the age of seven. By 2012, he was competing in national championships across France. His dad wasn't some former pro racer; he was a self-taught mechanic who learned how to fix karts on the fly so Isack could keep competing. It was a "do-it-yourself" operation that eventually caught the eye of the heavy hitters in the industry.
Where Is Isack Hadjar From in Terms of His Racing Pedigree?
To understand where he "comes from" as a driver, you have to look at the French junior ranks. France has a very specific ladder for young talent—the FFSA Academy.
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Isack climbed that ladder fast.
- 2019: He debuted in the French F4 Championship. He won at Spa-Francorchamps—one of the hardest tracks in the world—at just 14 years old.
- 2021: This was the turning point. He won the Formula Regional race in Monaco.
- The Helmut Marko Call: Winning in Monaco is like a bat-signal for Red Bull. Helmut Marko, the man who runs the Red Bull Junior Team with an iron fist, saw Isack’s performance and signed him immediately.
If you know anything about the Red Bull academy, you know they don't do "participation trophies." You either win, or you’re out. Hadjar survived that pressure cooker by being incredibly fast and, occasionally, incredibly vocal on the radio. He’s known for having a bit of a "spicy" personality when things go wrong, though he’s calmed down a lot as he’s matured.
Breaking Down the Nationality Question
Because he has dual citizenship, there’s often confusion about his official "F1 nationality."
In the world of the FIA (the governing body of motorsport), your nationality is determined by the license you hold. Isack holds a French racing license. This means when he stands on the podium—like he did for the first time during his 2025 rookie season at the Dutch Grand Prix—it’s La Marseillaise that plays.
However, the North African connection is a huge deal for the sport. F1 has been trying to expand its reach into the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region for years. Having a driver like Hadjar, who is culturally Algerian and identifies as the first Arab driver in the series, is a massive milestone. He’s mentioned that he receives just as many messages of support from fans in Algiers as he does from fans in Paris.
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Why 2026 is the Year to Watch Him
So, he's from Paris, he has Algerian roots, and he was the "surprise of the season" in 2025. What now?
The big news that’s rocking the paddock right now is his promotion. After a stellar rookie year where he scored multiple top-10 finishes and that emotional podium in Zandvoort, Red Bull decided they’d seen enough. They’ve moved him up to the senior team, Oracle Red Bull Racing, for the 2026 season.
He’s replacing the vacancy left by the shuffling of the Red Bull seats (where Liam Lawson and Sergio Perez were the main topics of conversation for months). Now, the kid from the Paris suburbs is going to be sitting in the same garage as Max Verstappen.
It’s a high-stakes environment. Red Bull is notorious for being "sink or swim." But if you look at where Isack Hadjar is from—a family of scientists who valued hard work over fame—you start to realize he’s probably got the mental toughness to handle it. He’s not just a "pay driver." He’s a guy who fought his way up through the French F4 and F3 ranks on raw talent.
What You Can Do Next to Follow Isack’s Journey
If you're jumping on the Hadjar bandwagon now, you're just in time. Here is how you can actually keep up with his transition to the big leagues:
- Watch the Pre-Season Testing: In early 2026, keep an eye on the Bahrain tests. This will be the first time we see Isack in the full Oracle Red Bull livery alongside Max.
- Follow the "Vlog" Style Updates: Unlike some of the more robotic drivers, Isack is known for being a bit more candid. His "Paddock Tours" and behind-the-scenes content on social media give a much better look at his actual personality than a standard press conference.
- Keep an Eye on the Middle Eastern Rounds: Since Isack considers these his "home" races due to his heritage, expect him to be extra motivated in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Isack Hadjar is proof that you don't need a racing dynasty behind you to make it to the top. You just need a Parisian upbringing, a passion for a Pixar movie, and a dad who’s really, really good at quantum physics.