Isack Hadjar has explained how he instantly thought of \u201call the struggles and all the pain\u201d across his motorsport career to date when he crossed the line to claim his first-ever F1 podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
Hadjar<\/a> was one of the stars of the weekend around the Zandvoort track, with the Racing Bulls<\/a> rookie charging his way to fourth on the grid in Qualifying and brilliantly defending that position on race day.<\/p>\n A late retirement for McLaren driver Lando Norris then promoted Hadjar into the top-three positions, sparking huge celebrations from the Frenchman and his team as they reached the podium and began to process their achievement.<\/p>\n Speaking ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, having had a few days to reflect further on what unfolded, Hadjar revealed the emotional first thoughts that went through his mind when he put his hands on the P3 trophy.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was no word, I just went through in my mind all the struggles I\u2019ve been facing in my career to get to F1,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s all I thought about really, all the struggles and all the pain. I\u2019m just happy I never [gave] up.\u201d<\/p>\n An example of that came early in the Zandvoort weekend when Hadjar was restricted to just one lap during second practice due to technical problems, leaving him on the back foot for Saturday\u2019s track action.<\/p>\n However, the youngster immediately put that behind him, coming back fighting in Qualifying and doubling down on his impressive pace in the race \u2013 something he has since taken plenty of satisfaction from.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the most pleasing part,\u201d he stressed. \u201cEven during the race I knew I was going to finish fourth. I thought, \u2018I\u2019m in control with fourth place, we\u2019re doing an outstanding job\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, first it was a win already to finish fourth on pure pace, beating Ferrari and Mercedes, and obviously the podium is a cherry on the cake. But the most important [thing] is what we\u2019ve built, like the turnaround from Friday to Saturday \u2013 that\u2019s what I remember.\u201d<\/p>\n