Lewis Hamilton’s DAD makes heartfelt gesture to Formula One rookie who suffered ’embarrassing’ crash before the start of Australian Grand Prix
Racing Bulls star Isack Hadjar has thanked Lewis Hamilton’s father after his ’embarrassing’ crash in the Australian Grand Prix.
The 20-year-old impressed in qualifying by finishing 11th for his first ever Formula One race – but things turned for the worse.
He lost control of his car and crashed on the formation lap which meant he was unable to take part in the Melbourne race.
TV cameras then showed Hadjar disappointed with his hands on his head as he made his way back to the paddock.
Hamilton’s father Anthony then spotted him and made a beeline to him before putting his arm around the youngster to console him.
The pair were seen conversating and Hamilton Snr stayed with Hadjar during the race to speak more with the youngster.
Lewis Hamilton’s dad Anthony (left) consoled Racing Bulls star Isack Hadjar after his crash
Hadjar lost control of his car and crashed on the formation lap which meant he was unable to take part
TV cameras then showed Hadjar disappointed with his hands on his head
‘He told my to keep my head high and be proud, and that I did well yesterday. It’s a nice gesture from him,’ he told reporters.
The Red Bull junior driver then explained that one of his tyres touched a white painted line which was slippery with standing water in the rainy Melbourne conditions.
He added: ‘I’m not great. I just lost the rear end of the car. These cars, in these conditions, they just snap so fast and it’s unsaveable. I couldn’t get the grip back. I tried to save it, but it was… yeah.
‘I knew it was going to be tricky – even on the installation laps to the grid I knew it was tricky, but it was driveable. I’m just sorry for the team right now and my close ones watching the race. It’s just embarrassing.’
The afternoon didn’t end well for Racing Bulls despite Hadjar’s team-mate having started in sixth.
The Japanese driver remained in that position for most of the race but eventually finished 12th after he stayed out on track with slick tyres in the rain.
