Source: Official Team Post via X
Coulthard Confident Red Bull Will Address Hadjar's Defiant US GP Radio Exchange
David Coulthard believes Red Bull Racing will take action against Isack Hadjar following a contentious radio message during the US Grand Prix. Hadjar's refusal to yield to teammate Max Verstappen highlighted his ongoing struggle with team strategies.
During the United States Grand Prix, Red Bull's Isack Hadjar found himself slipping from a promising third place to a less satisfying sixth. The race start didn't help, as he was quickly overtaken by both Ferraris at Turn 1, highlighting Red Bull's ongoing issues with race starts. Hadjar's strategic pit stop on lap 25 dropped him behind McLaren's Lando Norris, and his second stint was marred by throttle and radio problems, leaving him visibly frustrated in the media pen afterward.
David Coulthard weighed in on the situation, noting that Hadjar needed a reminder of his duties during the race. Red Bull had opted for a different strategy for Hadjar compared to his teammate, Max Verstappen, who pitted earlier on lap 13. When Verstappen, on fresher tires, was poised to overtake, Hadjar initially resisted the team orders to let him through at Turn 12, stating, "I don’t want to lose race time. I can’t let him by. Sorry."
This prompted a firm response from his race engineer, Richard Wood, who said, "No, mate, this is what we’re doing." Coulthard, commenting on the incident, humorously reminded the viewers of the "rules of engagement" in such team dynamics. Verstappen eventually passed Hadjar at Turn 15 but not without losing time in the process, leading him to sarcastically thank the team for the "really good strategy" that left him stuck in dirty air.
Coulthard, analyzing the situation, remarked, "It may seem a bit harsh, but he is a serial winner, and one thing he knows is how you swap cars. Isack’s having a good weekend, but he’ll be getting his wrists wrapped for that one." He further speculated that Hadjar would likely avoid such debates in the future, emphasizing the need for the young driver to remember his obligations to the team.
The incident was a departure from Hadjar's previous cooperation in Azerbaijan, where he had successfully played the team game alongside Verstappen. Despite this hiccup, Hadjar's performance for the weekend was commendable, as he qualified impressively close to Verstappen, just four-hundredths of a second slower.
Coulthard noted Hadjar's evident talent but pointed out the inexperience shown through his radio communications, describing them as "heart-on-sleeve." While Verstappen was also less than thrilled with his third-place finish, the 23-point haul was enough for Red Bull to draw level with McLaren in the Constructors' Championship. Should Red Bull clinch this battle, Hadjar's contributions in his debut season will certainly be acknowledged.
Looking ahead, Red Bull has already secured Hadjar's services for the 2027 season, suggesting confidence in his potential despite the occasional misstep.