Hadjar summoned to stewards after shoving fan in Mexico

Isack Hadjar's frustration boiled over in the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez paddock on Friday, with the frustrated Red Bull driver pushing away a fan who appeared determined to secure a selfie with the Frenchman.

The awkward confrontation has now landed the rookie in front of the FIA stewards, who have summoned him over an alleged breach of the sport's conduct rules.

The incident unfolded shortly after the opening practice session, as Hadjar was making his way back to the Red Bull hospitality area. Rather than enjoying an uneventful walk through the paddock, the 21-year-old found himself confronted by a fan attempting to get close enough for a photograph.

Footage subsequently circulated on social media showed Hadjar visibly irritated as he initially pushed the individual away, making it clear that he had no intention of stopping for a selfie.

When the fan appeared unwilling to take the hint and continued pressing for a photo, the Red Bull driver reacted more forcefully, shoving the individual aside as he attempted to move on.

The exchange prompted an FIA investigation, adding an unexpected off-track headache to what had already been a frustrating start to Hadjar's Mexican weekend.

Hadjar summoned over paddock confrontation

The Mexico City Grand Prix stewards have formally called the Frenchman to explain his conduct, citing an alleged breach of the International Sporting Code.

The official summons described the matter as an:

“Alleged breach of Article 12.2.1.l of the FIA International Sporting Code – Misconduct”.

Hadjar was NOT happy 😭💀

#F1 | #MexicoGP https://t.co/wd9sErh11h

— Everything Formula (@evrythngformu1a) October 30, 2026

Hadjar is therefore expected to face the stewards on Saturday, where they will examine the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and determine whether any further action is warranted.

The timing is hardly ideal for the Red Bull driver, whose opening day had already been disrupted by technical difficulties.

Power unit problems restricted him to just 21 laps in FP1, leaving him with the third-lowest mileage of the session, ahead of Aston Martin's Jak Crawford and Audi's Freddie Slater.

There was some consolation in the afternoon, however. Hadjar recovered to finish sixth in FP2, 0.410s adrift of session leader Charles Leclerc, with team-mate Max Verstappen taking fifth.

Verstappen: The paddock has become like ‘a zoo’

Friday’s incident shines a light on a familiar and increasingly uncomfortable issue for Formula 1 drivers: the difficulty of navigating crowded paddocks where VIP guests, sponsors and fans can sometimes get uncomfortably close.

Mexico City has become a particularly challenging environment in that respect, with the sheer volume of hospitality guests creating an increasingly congested atmosphere.

Verstappen recently expressed his irritation at the situation, likening the restricted paddock environment to “a zoo” and admitting that he has increasingly withdrawn from public areas to protect his downtime.

Speaking to De Telegraaf in Singapore, the four-time world champion explained:

“It is often no longer possible to have a chat with someone. That's not really possible anymore. So I mainly live from my room to the garage and the pit lane.

"Even in our own hospitality rooms, there are many guests who want something from you. Of course they mean well, but I also need to be able to rest without being bothered all the time.

"I know it's part of it. And that, the more you perform and the more you've achieved, the more people want you to be. In that respect, it is also a good thing."

• Read also: Verstappen and Lawson hit with grid penalties after FP2 clash

That perspective provides some context for the pressures drivers face away from the circuit, although Hadjar's reaction will now have to be assessed on its own merits.

For the Frenchman, Saturday's appearance before the stewards could turn an already eventful Mexican weekend into an even more uncomfortable affair.

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