Isack Hadjar Reveals Hidden Engine Nightmare as Monaco GP Podium Under Threat
· Yahoo Sports
The smile on Isack Hadjar‘s face at the Monaco podium told one story. The weekend he actually endured told a completely different one. Hadjar crossed the line third for Red Bull Racing in Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix, but the race was more difficult than even we know.
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Speaking after the race, Hadjar discussed how difficult things really were.
“I face also more issues than people can think during the race. And it was not nice out there,” he said. The car that made the podium was, by his own description, deeply unpleasant to drive.
“There’s a few, yeah, I had engine issues, drivability issues. The car was very hard to drive. The starts were… first start was very good, the second one handled power. Final stint I was struggling with the engine as well, but the team were very reactive on switches to get me back to it. Honestly, yeah, very draining, but to be standing on that podium in Monaco… I mean Monaco always does good to me, so yeah,” Hadjar said.
The Podium Was Never Guaranteed
At one point during the race, Hadjar was on the radio stating “something is going to explode” as he struggled with low power and a faulty first gear.
That’s not the kind of radio transmission that typically ends with a champagne shower.
He seemed destined for a similar fate to his team-mate after reporting power unit issues rather vocally over the team radio.
Max Verstappen was among the high-profile DNFs on the day, eventually retiring after lap one when power unit issues prevented him from getting away off the grid. The same gremlins that ended Verstappen’s afternoon were clearly alive in Hadjar’s car too – he just kept it pointed in the right direction long enough to benefit from the chaos around him.
The podium saw other penalties: Pierre Gasly crossed the line third on the road but had two five-second penalties to serve, which dropped him to seventh and handed Hadjar his place on the rostrum.
The stewards also noted Hadjar himself for breaking red flag rules, with that matter referred for investigation after the race.
When asked about work done on his car under the red flag – Red Bull’s statement indicated they stopped working and returned the car to its previous state without replacing any parts – Hadjar said he was putting his faith in the crew rather than losing sleep over the investigation.
“Honestly, I trust my boys. They’ve been in Formula 1 as long as I’ve been on earth, so I think they know what they’re doing. And if it doesn’t stick then I’m ok with that as well, you know I had my podium. The emotions are still here, so it’s ok.”
The FIA document reads:
“During the suspension of the Race, mechanics of the Oracle Red Bull Racing Team were working on car number 6, performing operations not permitted by Article B5.14.4.a. at 16:55.
“When queried about their works, they stopped working and reverted the car to its previous state without replacing any part.”
I am referring this matter to the Stewards for their consideration.”
It was Hadjar’s second Formula 1 podium finish, and his first for Red Bull Racing. Given that he nearly binned the car on Friday and spent much of Sunday managing a power unit that was apparently doing its best to let him down, it’s hard to argue he didn’t earn it.