Isack Hadjar's first Formula 1 podium celebration took an unexpected turn when his trophy broke during the post-race melee at the Dutch Grand Prix. The 20-year-old Racing Bulls driver secured third place at Zandvoort, marking his maiden top-three finish in F1.
The drama unfolded after the podium ceremony, where Hadjar followed tradition by raising the trophy aloft and spraying champagne. However, as he returned to the pit lane for further celebrations with his team, the porcelain cup's top section separated from its base, leaving the rookie and team bosses Alan Permane and Peter Bayer amused.
This is not the first time a trophy has been damaged in F1 celebrations. In 2023, Lando Norris accidentally shattered Max Verstappen's Hungarian Grand Prix trophy, which was created by the Herend Porcelain Manufactory and worth nearly £35,000. Norris later apologised and presented Verstappen with a replacement.
For Hadjar, the broken trophy was a bittersweet souvenir from his historic day. While the incident drew laughs from the Racing Bulls squad, the Frenchman will undoubtedly handle his next trophy with extra care.
