The story of Isack Hadjar, a French-Algerian driver who made his debut with Racing Bulls in 2025, is more than just numbers and podiums. It is proof of how simracing can shape elite talents and speed up their learning curve in Formula 1.
It all started with a familiar scene. A two-year-old boy watched the movie Cars at home, fascinated by the speed and excitement of racing. That spark soon grew into a passion for F1 on television.
Moreover, his father, a quantum physicist, encouraged him even further. At the age of seven, Hadjar received his first kart and with it took his first laps on a real track.
The leap into the virtual world
Like many of his generation, Hadjar was not content with just watching races. He wanted to race them too. Video games became a training ground without limits.
Soon after, he entered the world of simracing and began competing in esports tournaments. Under the alias IGK_Zack06, he raced with the iGK Esports team in the F1 Sim Racing Challenger Series. In the 2021 season, he scored 30 points and learned how to handle pressure.
Every incident and every virtual battle became lessons in risk management and consistency. In addition, he competed in the Premier Sim Gaming League (PSGL), where he showcased both speed and tactical skill.
In round 13 at Austin, he claimed provisional pole and tried an aggressive hard tire strategy. He finished second. Although he did not win, his wheel-to-wheel duel against CRG Matias proved his courage and intelligence.
From the screen to the track
Upon arriving at Racing Bulls, Hadjar encountered state-of-the-art simulators in Faenza. These systems can almost perfectly reproduce the movements of an F1 car. However, they cannot replicate the brutality of real G-forces.
The rookie test in Abu Dhabi was a turning point. There, he discovered that the simulator helps with technical and strategic adaptation. Nevertheless, the physical experience demands much more from the body.
One of the clearest benefits of simracing is accelerated learning on new circuits. Thanks to the simulator, Hadjar identifies braking points and gains confidence even before setting foot on the real track.
Mental preparation and confidence
Time spent on the simulator strengthened not only his technical skills but also his mindset. Competing in virtual leagues taught him how to manage expectations, live audiences, and media scrutiny.
Therefore, every virtual session translated into psychological preparation. Today, those lessons enrich his performance as a professional driver.
Racing Bulls technology continues to evolve. Recently, the team launched “The Garage”, an immersive experience that allows fans to explore the team’s environment virtually. It even offers a look at the drivers’ areas, including Hadjar’s.
Even as a full-time F1 driver, Hadjar remains loyal to the simulator. He trains daily, perfecting his craft while never losing sight of the importance of continuous learning.
F1 drivers simulators:
- Lando Norris
- Charles Leclerc
- George Rusell
- Carlos Sainz
- Checo Perez
- Fernando Alonso
- Antonio Giovinazzi
- Max Verstappen
- Oscar Piastri
- Liam Lawson
See you on the track!
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