Isack Hadjar makes team radio confession as he puts fiery F2 moments behind him

Hadjar reveals he’s still fiery behind the wheel, but fans don’t hear it thanks to a muted radio finger

Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar has confessed that he is still "shouting and insulting" in the cockpit, but refrains from pressing the radio button. After watching the French-Algerian driver deliver in Formula 2, when he would often shout over the team radio, many anticipated a similar demeanour in his rookie Formula 1 season.

However, Hadjar has remained calm from the seat of his Racing Bulls car since his impressive debut. The 20-year-old driver was asked ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix what he had done, if anything, to make progress in this area.

“I’ve said it before. I’m still shouting and insulting, but I just don’t press the radio. So no one knows," he explained to the media, including Motorsport.com. "I’m still - I have the same character, it’s not something you can erase. And yeah, I just don’t press the radio button. Very easy.”

He continued to discuss how he manages his emotions both in and out of the car.

“As I said, inside the car, I made progress with my thumb, but... Out of it, I think I’ve never been, you know, that kind of driver that gets out of the car and throws things at anyone," he added. "I’m mad at myself. So I think so far you’ve seen a cool driver and that’s all.”

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

Photo by: Lars Baron - Motorsport Images

After nine races this season, he sits ninth in the drivers' standings with 21 points, the second-highest of the six rookie drivers (seven if you include Jack Doohan). Hadjar's performance so far has caught the attention of the paddock as well as Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko, who has branded him "the most impressive rookie."

"He comes to a circuit which he doesn't know, and within three laps, he is competitive," Marko added, while speaking on The Inside Track. "He's a regular Q3 qualifier. And it comes very natural. He also proved, in his personality - I heard some of his interviews, which were really funny - and also showing a lot of sense of humour, also about himself. He can laugh."