![\"Hadjar](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/XPB_1369241_HiRes.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsack Hadjar holds his damaged trophy aloft after his breakthrough podium in the Netherlands. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsack Hadjar holds his damaged trophy aloft after his breakthrough podium in the Netherlands. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
The Frenchman, surrounded by his jubilant team in the pit lane, put his third-place trophy on the ground for a photo \u2014 only for the base to snap off when he picked it back up.<\/p>\n
Hadjar was left open-mouthed in disbelief before his mechanics drowned the moment in Red Bull spray, turning the mishap into a lighthearted footnote on a historic day.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old had just delivered the best result of his short career, converting a fourth-place start into third at the Dutch Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
He held firm under pressure from Charles Leclerc and George Russell, and when Lando Norris retired late on with an engine failure, Hadjar seized his chance, staying ahead of Russell at the final restart to clinch his first podium in only his 15th F1 race.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels a bit unreal,\u201d Hadjar admitted. \u201cWhat was most surprising for me was keeping that fourth place for the whole race.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately for Lando, we took advantage of his [retirement], but we made no mistakes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe car was on rails the whole weekend, and I\u2019m really happy about myself because I really maximised what I had, made no mistakes and brought home the podium, so I\u2019m so happy for my guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
The result makes Hadjar the fifth youngest podium finisher in F1 history, and the youngest French driver ever to achieve the feat. He also became the eighth different driver to feature on the podium in 2025.<\/p>\n
For Racing Bulls, the milestone was equally significant. It marked the team\u2019s first top-three finish since Pierre Gasly\u2019s third place in Baku in 2021, when the squad raced under the AlphaTauri name, and only the sixth podium in the history of the Faenza-based outfit across its eras as Minardi, Toro Rosso, AlphaTauri and Racing Bulls.<\/p>\n
Hadjar, who was also voted Driver of the Day, was quick to thank those who helped him reach the moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cOutstanding day,\u201d he said. \u201cI did not expect that waking up this morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was being very realistic, I know there was George behind me and both Ferraris. I also didn\u2019t run on Friday \u2013 any long run \u2013 so I didn\u2019t have a clue really.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo cross the line third is just unreal. There\u2019s more than one person [to thank]. Obviously, first of all, my parents, my mum, and then my dad, and, more sporting wise, then Helmut [Red Bull advisor, Marko], who gave me this shot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marko, who has overseen Hadjar\u2019s development through Red Bull\u2019s junior ranks, was full of praise for the rookie.<\/p>\n
\u201cHadjar had a fight with Leclerc, had a fight with Russell. He stayed calm, he didn\u2019t anything wrong,\u201d he told Sky Sports. \u201cEven a fourth place would have been a big achievement but now a podium is of course even more surprise and he deserves it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe chose him, so we knew that he\u2019s something special. I called him the \u2018Little Prost\u2019\u2026 people were laughing, like often, but now he delivered.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hadjar\u2019s third place lifts him into 10th in the drivers\u2019 standings on 37 points, level with Sauber\u2019s Nico Hulkenberg, while Racing Bulls climb to seventh in the constructors\u2019 championship on 60 points.<\/p>\n