Judo, Japan and some iconic TV moments: Getting to know the real Isack Hadjar

One of two Hitech Pulse-Eight rookies in Formula 2 this season, Isack Hadjar is long overdue a chat to get to know him a little bit more.

The Frenchman talks about his love of Japan, what he might be doing if he wasn’t competing in racing and why he got into the sport in the first place.

WHERE DO YOU CONSIDER HOME?

“I live in Paris so that is home for me. I like having my friends there, but city living can be crazy. I’d prefer to be in the south of France because Paris is too noisy. The people are always nice though.”

OUTSIDE OF MOTORSPORT, WHICH ATHLETE DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST?

“Muhammad Ali is the man. I like boxing and grew up watching the Rocky movies so I’ve always loved some boxing. Ali had just done so much, he is a monster in the sport and just represents so much for his people. At the same time, he was very good at boxing. Most boxers, there head isn’t fully there but he was smarter lets say and he was teaching us many things.”

WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS ON THE F2 GRID?

“All the French guys, my teammate Jak Crawford but I get along with most of the guys on the grid. I’m close with the French guys though and obviously my teammate.”

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE CHEAT MEAL?

“I love going to a Japanese restaurant where you can go and serve yourself as much as you want. It goes along one of those conveyer belts and is pretty expensive, but I end up getting a few bowls.”

IF YOU COULD GO BACK TO A MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE TO RELIVE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

“The first time I went to Japan was four years ago to Suzuka. It was my first time there, I spent five amazing days there and I love Japan. Last summer I went to Tokyo. Driving in Suzuka – I don’t know where to rank it, I think it matches Monaco for me. In Japan, the atmosphere is so special.”

READ MORE: Have the F2 rookies found more pace after the summer break?

IF YOU WEREN’T A RACING DRIVER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR WORK?

“It’s hard to say. I have no interest in anything outside of racing. Growing up, the first sport I did was judo, I started that at four. When I was going into go-karts, I stopped judo, but I was getting to a pretty decent level. So if I committed to doing that all my life, I think I could’ve been pretty good. I got to brown belt just before a black belt and that’s where I stopped.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE OR TV SERIES?

“TV show I would say is Breaking Bad. It’s pretty iconic. Movie… it’s not the best but Cars. It’s because of that movie that I got into racing.”

WHAT WAS THE LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO?

“Let’s see. ‘Don’t Need Friends by Lil Baby and Nav.”

WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARASSING MOMENT YOU’VE HAD?

“I feel like I have embarrassing moments every day. Like I don’t have one insane one that stands out, just everyday kind of things. Presenting stuff is pretty terrible but that was quite a long time ago, but it’s not even close to the worst.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RACING MEMORY?

“Winning Monaco two years ago was my favourite moment and I actually got signed by Red Bull on the same weekend.”

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?

“I hate this question. I don’t really have something that comes to mind.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO AND ONE YOU HAVEN’T BUT WOULD WANT TO?

“Tokyo is the favourite. I’ve never been to South America so probably Brazil, I think that would be nice.”