Rookie Isack Hadjar overcomes seatbelt struggles to secure Q3 spot at Japanese GP

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

SUZUKA, Japan -- Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar made an impressive leap into Q3 at the Japanese Grand Prix despite grappling with severe pain from his seatbelt that he described as a "nightmare."

Hadjar qualified seventh, significantly outperforming his new Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson and newly-promoted Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda, both of whom failed to make the final session. The issue stemmed from a seatbelt that was too tight around his body, causing considerable discomfort and hindering his performance.

His struggles were prominently featured during the Q1 coverage, showcasing his back-and-forth communication with the team over the radio.

"It was a nightmare, man -- honestly, it was," Hadjar told Sky Sports. "I just pulled through; honestly, I'm really proud of me, like the lap I did in Q1 with what I had, unbelievable."

Despite the pain, Hadjar managed to keep his focus and avoid a crash. "I was like 'OK, this is not going well', and I nearly crashed actually. But I'm OK," he added.

Hadjar clarified that the team resolved the issue during the session. "In Q1, of course you don't have time to jump back out, so I had to deal with it and pull through Q2. But when I came back in the car, put the belts back on, it was all good. It was just pain."

It was a standout qualifying performance from Hadjar in a week dominated by news of the Tsunoda and Lawson swap. With his remarkable run in Japan, Hadjar has not only demonstrated resilience but also made a strong case for his potential in the top-tier racing series.

As the Japanese Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on Hadjar to see if he can translate his qualifying success into a noteworthy finish on race day.

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