Red Bull-junior Isack Hadjar’s Singapore Formula 2 outing proved to be a true test of resolve, as the young Frenchman was hit with a substantial power unit problem in one of the most challenging races on the calendar. Formula 2’s support slot at the legendary Marina Bay Street Circuit is always a grueling affair, but for Hadjar, this weekend would push both his physical and mental limits to the extreme.
Having shown flashes of immense speed in previous rounds this year, Hadjar was tipped as a potential dark horse for a podium. The anticipation was high: Singapore’s night race is famed for its punishing humidity, its relentless corner sequence, and the infamous “concrete canyon” that offers no forgiveness for mistakes. A good result here is a badge of honour for any rising star hoping for Formula 1 graduation.
The start of the main race didn’t betray any hint of the troubles to come. Hadjar, brimming with confidence and positive momentum from his qualifying run, settled into the pack and began calculating his opportunities. But soon, a dramatic loss of power on his Hitech-run Dallara forced an unscheduled pit stop. The team swiftly diagnosed the issue: a significant technical fault with the power unit, robbing Hadjar of valuable top speed and, crucially, any chance of keeping pace with the leading pack.
Remarkably, instead of retiring from the high-attrition race – a common occurrence on Singapore’s twisting circuit, especially with persistent technical gremlins – Hadjar pressed on. His strategy, as later revealed, was not about points or positions. Rather, it was a calculated decision to gather crucial race mileage and data for both himself and the team. Despite the faulty power unit dramatically slowing him on every straight, Hadjar navigated the circuit lap after lap, coping with the tides of backmarkers and blue flags, all while maintaining a remarkable level of composure.
For Formula 1 scouts and teams, such resilience often speaks louder than a glittering trophy. Hadjar’s ability to extract every ounce of performance from a compromised machine demonstrated not just technical acumen, but fortitude under the unique duress of Singapore. Interviews at the end of the night painted the full picture: Hadjar described it as a “very, very long race,” one that tested not just his driving, but his patience, focus, and even his sense of humor.
Observing his telemetry, fans noticed how he was losing more than 5-6 tenths of a second on every straight compared to his direct rivals. In Formula 2, where tenths decide fights for championship points, this deficit was insurmountable. Yet, Hadjar’s lap times in the twisty sectors, despite the hindrance, were remarkably competitive—proving his technical ability at wheel-to-wheel combat and corner management outclassed his machinery on the day.
Singapore is never an easy place to shine, but for a driver with ambitions for Formula 1, it can stand as both a crucible and a showcase. This weekend, Hadjar’s campaign was a prime example of how motorsport’s greatest values are often found not in victory celebrations, but in the battles fought in the shadows—mechanical drama, endurance, and the never-say-die attitude that forms the backbone of racing heroes.
With Red Bull’s well-known penchant for grooming tough, resilient talents, Hadjar’s perseverance in Singapore has surely not gone unnoticed by Helmut Marko and the decision-makers in Milton Keynes. As the Formula 2 season moves towards its final rounds, Hungarian race fans and international observers alike will keep a keen eye on the young Frenchman—hoping, perhaps, that this long night in Marina Bay will serve as a pivotal milestone in his burgeoning career.
