Anthony Hamilton revealed what he told Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar after his early retirement on his debut at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Afrosport reports.
The Racing Bulls driver crashed in wet conditions on the formation lap and was unable to officially start in his first F1 race.
Hadjar walked back in tears as he headed to the paddock and Lewis Hamilton’s father, Anthony, was one of the first people to console the visibly distraught 20-year-old.
“The thing is, as soon as I saw what happened to Isack, my heart fell and I just felt for him,” he told Canal+ per the F1 website.
“It was just so sad to see, because I know how hard it is when these kids are eight years of age and they dream of becoming a Formula 1 race driver.
“There’s a lot of pressure all of the way up and you’re sitting on the grid for your first race and it doesn’t happen. That’s got to be the worst feeling in the world and I just felt for him.
“I just wanted to give him a hug. I felt for him like a father.”
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hamilton Snr. added: “I just felt terrible for him so thought ‘You know what, I just need to go and tell this kid to keep your head high, walk tall. You’re going to come back’.
“I think he’s a phenomenal driver, I really do. There’s more to come from Isack than we probably have seen this weekend.”
Lewis Hamilton’s dad, Anthony Hamilton, comforts Isack Hadjar
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The emotional reaction from Hadjar however did not go down well with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko who said it was “embarrassing”.
