Hadjar receives formal warning for Mexico paddock incident

Red Bull's Isack Hadjar has received a formal warning from Mexico Grand Prix stewards after shoving a fan in the paddock before opening practice. The stewards summoned the Frenchman for alleged misconduct at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and found he breached Article 12.2.1.l of the International Sporting Code, though they accepted strong mitigating circumstances.

Why it matters:

The decision highlights the growing friction between drivers and paddock guests in congested areas. Hadjar said he was running late for FP1 and had stopped for a photo with a young fan when an adult guest approached him aggressively. With no security able to intervene, the stewards accepted that his private space was invaded without consent.

The details:

• Video evidence showed Hadjar first held the guest at bay before pushing him aside with an open right hand.
• The stewards noted the guest's uninvited and aggressive action, the driver's need to reach FP1, insufficient security and the broader issue of drivers moving through busy paddocks.
• Hadjar's Friday was also difficult on track: he was 11th in FP1, 1.417s off Charles Leclerc, after power unit problems limited him to 21 laps.
• He improved to sixth in FP2, 0.410s behind Leclerc, with team-mate Max Verstappen fifth.

What's next:

The warning draws a line under the incident, but it adds to calls for better paddock security and clearer boundaries around drivers. Hadjar will now look to convert his improved FP2 pace into a cleaner qualifying and race weekend.