Rookie Isaac Hadjar crashes on formation lap and delays start of F1 Australian GP
Team RB driver Isack Hadjar of France sits in his car after hitting the wall in the formation lap ahead of the start the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake]
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Racing Bulls rookie Isaac Hadjar has lost control of his car on the formation lap of the Australian Grand Prix, with the French driver sliding into a barrier at turn two and out of the race. The 20-year-old has impressed through the weekend, but was one of the least prepared of the six rookies on the F1 grid with fewer than 500 laps in a Grand Prix car ahead of the race. The race will now go ahead with 19 runners, with the cars returned to the grid ahead of a second formation lap that is scheduled at 3.15pm local time (0415 GMT). Intermittent rain and strong winds are expected throughout the race.
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