Hadjar Admits Mistake in Lawson Battle at São Paulo

Isack Hadjar has admitted to making a costly error in battling his Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson during the São Paulo Grand Prix, a move that nearly jeopardized the team's valuable points haul.

Why it matters:

This incident highlights the delicate balance between aggressive racing and team interests, especially when fighting a teammate for crucial championship points. Racing Bulls secured a significant 10 points from this race, pulling them ahead in the constructors' championship battle for sixth place against Aston Martin and Haas. A collision would have been a major setback.

The Details:

• Close Battle: Hadjar and Lawson were locked in a fight for seventh place in the closing stages of the São Paulo Grand Prix.
• Lawson's Strategy: Lawson successfully executed a one-stop strategy, putting him in a strong position on the final lap.
• Final Lap Incident: On the last lap, Hadjar attempted an overtake around the outside of Lawson into Turn 1.
• Contact and Recovery: Hadjar almost pulled ahead but backed out at the braking point, leading to wheel-to-wheel contact between the two cars.
• Lucky Escape: Both drivers managed to keep their cars on track, finishing seventh and eighth, securing 10 points for the team.
• Hadjar's Admission: Hadjar later conceded to Sky Sports F1 that he “pushed it a little too much” and “overdid it,” acknowledging his mistake.
• Initial Strategy Issues: Hadjar also pointed out that his initial race strategy was not optimal, having started on used soft tires with a full fuel load, which impacted tire longevity.

Between the lines:

While Hadjar found the battle “very fun” and acknowledged gaining experience through overtakes and defending, his admission of “my mistake” underscores the potential ramifications of overly aggressive driving against a teammate. The team's immediate goal was to maximize points for the constructors' championship, and this incident put that objective at risk. Lawson, too, expressed relief, stating they were “lucky” to avoid a more serious incident, suggesting Hadjar “misjudged” his move.

What's next:

Racing Bulls' focus will now be on maintaining their advantage in the constructors' championship. While internal battles are part of F1, the team will likely emphasize the importance of calculated risks, especially between teammates, to prevent future point-losing incidents. The experience gained by Hadjar, despite the near-miss, could prove valuable for his future race craft, provided he learns to temper his aggression in critical moments.