Hadjar Keeps Monaco Podium After Red Flag Investigation Closed
Isack Hadjar has retained his Monaco Grand Prix podium finish after stewards confirmed no further action following a post-race investigation into an alleged red flag infringement. The Red Bull driver’s result initially came under scrutiny after officials examined whether the team had breached rules during a race suspension period, but the case was later dismissed.
Difficult Weekend Turns Into Breakthrough Result
The race had already started on a difficult note for Red Bull, with Max Verstappen retiring on the opening lap due to a car issue. Hadjar himself faced a challenging afternoon, later revealing he was dealing with “massive driveability issues” from early in the race.
Despite those setbacks, the French driver managed to recover in a chaotic race featuring a late red flag. He crossed the line in fourth place before being promoted to third after Alpine’s Pierre Gasly received two five-second penalties for pit lane speeding. The result appeared to secure Hadjar’s first podium for Red Bull, but it quickly came under review after the race.
Stewards Investigate Red Flag Procedure Concern
A Technical Delegate’s Report stated that during the race suspension, mechanics from Oracle Red Bull Racing were seen working on car number 6 in a manner that may have contravened Article B5.14.4.a at 16:55.
The report noted that when queried, the team immediately stopped work and returned the car to its original state without replacing any components. Hadjar and a team representative were later summoned to the stewards to clarify the situation.
No Further Action Taken After Hearing
Following the hearing, the FIA confirmed that no penalties would be applied. A subsequent document explained that the team had initially attempted to change spark plugs or coils but did not proceed, with the car ultimately starting in the same condition it was in when it entered the pits. As a result, the investigation was closed and Hadjar’s podium finish was officially confirmed.
Hadjar Proud After Hard-Fought Monaco Recovery
Speaking after the race, Hadjar reflected on a demanding weekend but expressed satisfaction with his recovery drive. He described a strong restart that briefly raised hopes before losing positions, though he remained aware that rivals ahead carried penalties.
“I had limited power and I never had to push that much in my life through the corners to stay within five seconds of Pierre,” he said. He added that given the struggles from FP1 onwards, the result represented an impressive turnaround: “It’s an outstanding weekend considering how it started… I had no confidence to get back up, but we did it so I’m happy.”
