The FIA stewards have issued Isack Hadjar with a warning following an investigation into his actions before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, meaning his Baku podium result remains unchanged. The decision also ends any possibility of Charles Leclerc gaining a podium for Ferrari through a post-race penalty.
Hadjar had been accused of breaching Article 12.2.1.i of the International Sporting Code by failing to comply with the Race Director’s Event Notes, specifically point 13.6 of Document 56, while carrying out practice starts before taking his place on the grid.
Why Isack Hadjar was investigated after the Azerbaijan GP
After hearing from the driver, the stewards examined GPS positioning data, video footage, timing information, telemetry, team radio communications and onboard footage.
During the reconnaissance laps, Hadjar approached the pit exit with several cars ahead of him before preparing to carry out a practice start.
Paragraph 13.6 of the Race Director’s Event Notes stated that a car not intending to perform a practice start had to cross the white line separating the pit-exit lane from the track at the first available opportunity, allowing it to join the normal racing line.
Hadjar instead remained inside the pit-exit lane and passed the cars ahead of him on the right before joining the circuit. The stewards therefore concluded that he had failed to follow the Race Director’s instructions.
FIA stewards identify mitigating circumstances
Although the infringement was established, the stewards also concluded that there were mitigating circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Red Bull driver had initially intended to perform a practice start himself, but he was forced to abandon that attempt relatively late and restart the procedure. According to the stewards, that sequence of events contributed to distracting Hadjar and led him to omit the prescribed procedure.
The stewards nevertheless stressed that the driver remained responsible for complying with the Race Director’s instructions. However, they considered the circumstances sufficient to reduce the severity of the sanction.
After also taking previous similar incidents into account, the stewards determined that a warning was the appropriate penalty.
What the Hadjar decision means for Charles Leclerc and Ferrari
The ruling also settles the post-race situation for Charles Leclerc and Ferrari. A sufficiently severe penalty for Hadjar could have opened the door for Charles Leclerc to inherit a podium position from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
That scenario will not happen. With the stewards choosing to issue only a warning, Hadjar keeps his result and Charles Leclerc does not gain a podium through the FIA investigation.
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