Isack Hadjar’s Historic Podium Tainted by Broken Trophy in Dramatic Dutch GP Celebration
Isack Hadjar’s historic podium finish at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix took an unexpected turn when he accidentally broke his third-place trophy during post-race celebrations. The 20-year-old Racing Bulls driver, who secured his first-ever Formula 1 podium at Zandvoort, was left shocked after the award snapped in two while he was placing it down for a team photo outside the garage.
The mishap, which left Hadjar visibly stunned, quickly turned into a lighthearted moment as his team rallied around him, spraying him with champagne while he stood holding only the top half of the broken trophy. Despite the mishap, the young French driver’s smile never faded, and the moment quickly became one of the more memorable ones in recent Formula 1 history.
Organizers, however, were quick to assure Hadjar that he wouldn’t be left without a proper memento for his achievement. The Dutch Grand Prix and trophy manufacturer Royal Delft confirmed that a replacement would be made to commemorate his podium. A spokesperson for the Dutch Grand Prix explained that the trophies are made of high-quality ceramic and hand-painted by master craftsmen, but they are delicate and can break if subjected to an unexpected impact or vibration. The spokesperson added that the trophy’s breakage likely occurred due to it being placed on an uneven surface, which caused stress on the thinner parts of the trophy.
The original broken trophy will remain with Hadjar as a unique memento of a historic moment in his career. It serves as a reminder of his remarkable achievement—the youngest French driver to stand on a Formula 1 podium and the fifth youngest driver in the sport’s history to do so.
Hadjar’s third-place finish was a major milestone for Racing Bulls, marking their first podium since 2021 and only their sixth in the team’s long history, which dates back to its roots as Minardi in 1985. Starting from fourth on the grid, Hadjar fended off pressure from top drivers like Charles Leclerc and George Russell, ultimately moving into the top three after Lando Norris retired with six laps remaining.
While the broken trophy will forever be part of the story, Hadjar’s incredible drive at Zandvoort will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the defining moments of his early F1 career.
