"Classy guys" - Isack Hadjar on support from Hamiltons after Australian Grand Prix

SHANGHAI–Racing Bulls junior Isack Hadjar says he considers F1 rival Lewis Hamilton and his father Anthony "really special guys" for supporting him after crash before Australian Grand prix.

The 20-year-old spun into the barriers on the formation lap in difficult conditions before the start of the Melbourne race and was visibly emotional as he left his debut Formula One race without completing a lap.

When he returned to pit lane, it was Anthony Hamilton who sought out and comforted the young Frenchman, following him into the Racing Bulls garage.

“The thing is, as soon as I saw what happened to Isack, my heart fell and I just felt for him,” Hamilton told Canal+.

“It was just so sad to see, because I know how hard it is when these kids are eight years of age, and they dream of becoming a Formula 1 race driver.

“There’s a lot of pressure all of the way up and you’re sitting on the grid for your first race, and it doesn’t happen. That’s got to be the worst feeling in the world and I just felt for him.

“I just wanted to give him a hug. I felt for him like a father.”

Arriving in Shanghai for the second round of the Formula One World Championship, Hadjar said he had also received a message of support from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Hadjar revealed that Hamilton senior said it reminded him of Lewis and his own incident at pit entry in China.

"It was a nice moment, sharing time with someone like Anthony as well—obviously, the dad of my idol. So that was quite a special moment. And indeed, Lewis sent me a message later that day."

"Really classy guys."

There was less class in remarks reported from Red Bull executive Helmut Marko, as the head of the team's junior program called the crash "a bit embarrassing."

Hadjar defended Marko, saying he was aware of the Austrian's blunt nature.

"I mean, I found it embarrassing myself," said the Frenchman.

"And, you know, Helmut—I had him on the phone a day later, and it’s all good. I mean, I’ve known him for a few years now. I know how he works."

"Also, I think he said that in German and it was reinterpreted differently. You don’t always get the body language. I didn’t see the footage, so I can’t say much.

"But apart from that, yeah, I have to say the love from the fans and people, I did not expect that at all when I binned it in the wall. That was nice."

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