Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar received a formal warning from the FIA stewards at the Mexican Grand Prix after an altercation with a fan in the paddock. The incident, which occurred on Friday, October 30, 2026, before the first free practice session, involved Hadjar pushing a paddock guest.
Hadjar was making his way to the Red Bull garage at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and was reportedly running late for the session. Footage circulated on social media showing Hadjar stopping to take a photograph with a young fan when another individual approached him aggressively.
The fan placed a hand on Hadjar’s back and invaded his personal space, prompting the Red Bull driver to react. Hadjar initially resisted the advance by placing his hand on the guest’s waist before pushing him away with an open right hand.
The FIA stewards summoned Hadjar on Saturday, October 31, 2026, to address a potential breach of Article 12.2.1.l of the FIA International Sporting Code, which pertains to misconduct. Following their review, the stewards issued a formal warning, the mildest form of intervention available.
No grid penalties or super licence points were imposed on Hadjar. The stewards cited five mitigating circumstances for their decision, acknowledging the challenging environment.
These factors included Hadjar reacting to an uninvited and aggressive action, his attempt to navigate a congested area to reach FP1, and the insufficient security present. The stewards also noted the guest’s invasion of personal space without consent and the general issues drivers face in the paddock.
Hadjar expressed satisfaction with the stewards’ understanding of the situation. He stated, “Next time I need someone who does the security job a bit better, and then I’ll be out of trouble. I don’t want to do security for myself.”
He further clarified his stance on fan interaction, stating, “When I don’t want to take a picture because you’re a grown man, don’t invade my space, because I’m going to work; it’s not a reality show.”
Max Verstappen, Hadjar’s teammate, supported the Frenchman’s reaction. Verstappen has previously described the F1 paddock as resembling a “zoo” due to the increasing number of guests and VIPs.
Verstappen made these comments in an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on October 12, 2026. He noted the difficulty of having casual conversations and often confines himself to his room for rest.
While acknowledging that public interaction is part of a driver’s role, Verstappen emphasized the necessity for periods of uninterrupted rest during a race weekend.
Isack Hadjar joined Oracle Red Bull Racing at the start of the 2026 season, partnering Verstappen after a successful rookie year with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls in 2025. He secured a maiden podium at the Dutch Grand Prix in 2025.
Hadjar is contracted with Red Bull Racing until at least the end of the 2027 season. In his first 11 Grands Prix of the 2026 season, he has scored 71 points and sits eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, including three career podiums.
The paddock is a restricted working area behind the pit garages, housing team facilities, media centres, and FIA offices. Access is strictly controlled via FOM-issued passes, with premium hospitality options like the Paddock Club also available.
