Isack Hadjar has no lack of confidence going into his debut season at Red Bull Racing, despite having arguably the most difficult ride in Formula 1.On the eve of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, the 21-year-old French driver said he expects to win a race in his first season with the team while squaring up against teammate and four-time world champion Max Verstappen.It seems incongruous for him to say it, given Hadjar is only going into his second season of F1 and Red Bull doesnt appear to have a major pace advantage heading into Sunday's race at Albert Park in Melbourne. But Hadjar showed his and the team's overall strength by qualifying third for Sunday's race.To add to Hadjar's challenge is that Verstappen has gone through four teammates in about 15 months.One of them, Sergio Prez, said in January that being Verstappen's teammate was the worst job there is in Formula 1. Prez was beside Verstappen for four years at Red Bull before being dropped at the end of 2024 with two years left in his contract. Prez is returning to F1 this year with new team Cadillac.Still, Hadjar is putting the off-track talk aside, saying the team is set to surprise everyone with the pace of the RB22 car.I would say Im confident in our race car, what we can do in the race, a bit less probably on one lap pace," Hadjar told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview. "But if were going to surprise people its definitely in a good way.Hadjar said he was stunned by the competitiveness of Red Bulls new power unit, an endlessly complex technical project.I was very happily surprised with the reliability and driveability of the engine, Hadjar said. I know that I cant make engines, but I know what it requires to make something smooth to drive. And to do it in 3 1-2 years, start the project so late and (then) make it so well is so impressive.Also impressive is Hadjar himself, who came back from an embarrassing formation lap crash on debut during last years Australian GP to score points at 10 of 24 races, including a third place at the Dutch Grand Prix, the fifth-youngest podium finisher in F1 history.Hadjar will also benefit from having the same team boss, Laurent Mekies, who also made the step from Racing Bulls to replace Christian Horner at Red Bull last year in the aftermath of Horner's exit in the days following the British Grand Prix last July.Yeah, its good, not much change for me, Hadjar said. I know him (Mekies) quite well, made my debut in F1 with him, we had some very good moments. So, its good not to step into unknown territory, so its good to keep going on the way I started F1.One change Hadjar has made is important a geographical one. He moved from Faenza, Italy where he was close to Racing Bulls to London to be closer to Red Bull Racings Milton Keyes operation. Hell need all the help he can get to take on Verstappen in the same team.As always, Hadjar is confident and looking forward to the challenge.Im just happy, at my age, to be able to see what its like to be next to the best driver on the grid," Hadjar said, "with the same material and see what I can do, and just learn from him. "Yeah, Im just happy. And lucky.___AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

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French legend reflects on short stint at Real Madrid Unforgettable memoriesFrench football legend Nicolas Anelka had a short but memorable stint at Real Madrid. The former striker arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 1999, signing from Arsenal, but only stayed for one season before returning to his boyhood club, Paris Saint-Germain.During his season-long stay in the Spanish capital, the Frenchman scored seven goals and set up six more from 33 matches, and went on to win the UEFA Champions League.Anelka reflects on Real Madrid spellNow, in an interview with SPORT, Anelka fondly remembered his time at Real Madrid even if it was short-lived.Well, it was incredible to win the Champions League. Its not easy. Especially playing for Real Madrid, its something special. Its one of the biggest clubs in the world. I have very good memories of my time in Spain, unforgettable memories, he said.Because, first of all, Real Madrid is a special club. As I said before, it was one of the biggest clubs in the world. And winning the Champions League is also special. So, both things together are even more special, Anelka added.Nicolas Anleka during his time at Real Madrid. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Bongarts/Getty Images)Anelka then praised the performances of fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid, backing him and the team to win a major title this season.Yes, I watch the matches. Kylian is doing very well. He scores goals in every match. And hes good at it. He scored goals in Monaco, in Paris. Now hes scoring goals in Madrid, Anelka admitted.And I think the only thing missing is winning a title with Real Madrid. And hopefully at the end of the season hell win La Liga or the Champions League. But I think Real Madrid will win something this season.Anelka then went on to claim that Mbappe was one of the best in the world currently, alongside Barcelonas Lamine Yamal, as he said:He [Lamine] is one of the greatest talents in Europe and the world. As much as Mbappe, I think they are the two best. Especially when I was talking about France and Spain. He will play for Spain and Mbappe for France. So its going to be a great battle. Its already a great battle between Barcelona and Real Madrid and it will continue for a long time.