Red Bull talent Hadjar admits: 'Am a bit jealous, but it's deserved'
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- Nicole Mulder
Franco Colapinto has been given an outside chance by being allowed to replace Logan Sargeant for the rest of the Formula 1 season. A big leap for the Formula 2 driver, especially since many other talents are not given the same opportunity. Red Bull Racing junior and F2 championship leader Isack Hadjar therefore admits to being quite a bit jealous of his colleague.
Red Bull talent Hadjar on Colapinto's F1 debut
Logan Sargeant had to leave, that much was clear. Unlike last year, this time the American was not given the chance to serve out his contract. He will be replaced immediately by Colapinto, the current number six in the F2 championship. However, he will not finish that championship as he has an F1 seat for the rest of the season.
Hadjar, who is currently leading in the F2 championship, does not seem to have any prospect of promotion to the top level of motorsport at the moment. He cannot deny that he would love the opportunity himself but wholeheartedly wishes it to his colleague. The Red Bull talent reveals this after a question from GPblog.
"Yes, it's obvious you want to be called and drive in Formula 1 yourself. I think it's cool for him and I'm happy for him, but of course, I'm also a bit jealous," Hadjar laughed. "That's normal. But when you're fighting for wins and podiums at this level in F2, it's natural to have the level and capacity to go and drive an F1 car. In a way, it is normal and it is also good for us because if he does well, he gives us a good reputation. So I wish him all the best."
Maloney and Aron on Colapinto's F1 debut
Zane Maloney and Paul Aron, numbers four and three in the championship respectively, also respond to the question about Colapinto. "Yes, of course. I think everyone at the top of F2 is doing great and really performing at a very high level. When you see someone like Franco getting a chance in Formula 1, in some ways it is definitely deserved. And yes, anyone who drives at the top of this class or does well in certain weekends in F2 is obviously a good driver. So for my part, it's about continuing to perform, being there every weekend and doing everything I can. That's all I can do," said Sauber junior Maloney.
Aron concurs with his colleagues' answers. "We are all here for that reason - to win or to reach Formula 1. And of course, we are all happy for everyone who gets a chance, but at the same time, all drivers will always be a bit jealous. And I think the drivers ahead of him in the championship feel that maybe they deserved a chance and the drivers behind him probably didn't," said the former Mercedes junior.
"But yes, it's always a great opportunity when a driver is promoted from F2 and in the end everyone's journey is different. It also doesn't mean that the two guys next to me or myself won't get a chance in the future. So like the others said, keep your head up, do your best and hopefully the rest will follow," Aron concludes.
This article was written in collaboration with Ben Stevens
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