Red Bull Clarifies Verstappen Team Orders Decision in Sao Paulo

In a strategic display at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Red Bull secured a double podium, with Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar finishing second and third, respectively. Team principal Laurent Mekies shed light on why Verstappen wasn't asked to return a position to Hadjar after an earlier team-ordered swap.

The race saw Verstappen start from the back due to a power unit change but slicing through the field in unpredictable weather conditions. By the midway point, he had caught up to Hadjar, prompting the team to orchestrate a swap on Lap 38. Hadjar, ever the team player, obliged but inquired over the radio whether the position would be returned if Verstappen couldn't pass McLaren's Lando Norris. Initially met with silence, Hadjar's engineer eventually assured him that the matter was under consideration.

Mekies later confirmed that the team would have considered reverting the positions if the two cars had remained in close proximity. "We would have done it because Isack had very strong pace," Mekies explained. However, as rain intensified towards the race's end, the gap between the Red Bull drivers widened significantly, rendering any position swap impractical.

This decision allowed Verstappen to extend his lead over George Russell in their duel for the runner-up spot in the championship, behind the already crowned champion, Kimi Antonelli. Meanwhile, Hadjar continued his streak of podium finishes, reflecting Red Bull's resurgence in competitiveness since the summer break.

Mekies praised Hadjar's performance, highlighting his impressive pace and strategic racing in challenging conditions. "If you ask me right now, I think it’s the best race he has done with us in terms of pure pace," Mekies remarked. He noted Hadjar's consistent improvement and strategic acumen, reinforcing the team's decision to extend his contract through 2027. "That's what we want to keep seeing," Mekies added, acknowledging Hadjar's role in the team's strong finish in Brazil.