Source: Official Team Post via X
FIA Warns Isack Hadjar for Erratic Driving During US GP Practice
Isack Hadjar received a formal warning from the FIA for erratic driving at the United States Grand Prix. The incident involved an altercation with Alex Albon during practice, which the FIA stewards investigated.
Isack Hadjar, racing for Red Bull, has been officially cautioned by the FIA following a controversial incident at the United States Grand Prix. The stewards found Hadjar's driving to be erratic during the final practice session at the Circuit of The Americas, particularly in his interaction with Williams' Alex Albon.
The drama unfolded as Hadjar approached Turn 1, where Albon was well off the racing line. Hadjar misjudged his entry, locking up his front left tire, and had to take evasive action. Over the team radio, Hadjar expressed his frustration, questioning Albon's actions and accusing him of "sleeping on the racing line." This prompted Hadjar to crowd Albon off the track as they exited the corner.
The FIA stewards took note of the incident and, after reviewing video evidence and hearing from Hadjar and his team, decided on a formal warning. They emphasized that Hadjar's behavior, described as "retaliatory," was erratic and warranted discouragement. However, they noted that if the driving had been deemed dangerous or resulted in a collision, the penalty would have been harsher.
Despite the rocky practice sessions, Hadjar managed to rally in qualifying, securing a commendable third place on the grid. Reflecting on his performance, Hadjar admitted to a challenging weekend, with multiple lap times deleted and difficulties on the soft tire. However, a deeper dive into the car's setup during qualifying allowed him to extract better performance.
He acknowledged the satisfaction of overcoming the weekend's hurdles, although he felt there was more potential, particularly on his first Q3 lap, which was hindered by a strong tailwind. "I’m happy with the comeback," Hadjar remarked, showing a mix of relief and determination.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, Hadjar's teammate, clinched a front-row start, just behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who is on the verge of his first world championship. Hadjar admitted surprise at Verstappen's Q2 pace and believed a pole position was within reach. Looking ahead to the race, Hadjar expressed confidence in Red Bull's strategy, hinting at the advantage of having both cars in the front pack.
As the United States Grand Prix approaches, the focus remains on whether Hadjar can turn his qualifying success into a strong race result alongside Verstappen. Kimi Antonelli, however, stands as the man to beat, with the championship title in his sights.