Hadjar claims first Red Bull podium in chaotic Monaco GP as Antonelli wins fifth straight

Isack Hadjar took his first podium as a Red Bull driver at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, promoted to third after Alpine’s Pierre Gasly received a pitlane speeding penalty. Kimi Antonelli won the race for his fifth consecutive grand prix victory of the season, with Lewis Hamilton finishing second and moving ahead of George Russell in the drivers’ championship.

Hadjar’s result came despite a difficult weekend that included power unit issues, two stewards’ enquiries, and a shaky Friday that left him without confidence in the car. He had crossed the line fourth on the road before Gasly’s penalty elevated him to the podium.

Former Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle praised the rookie’s composure under pressure. “In the sister Red Bull, Isack Hadjar would inherit Gasly’s final podium spot after a sterling drive despite carrying power unit issues along with many angsty radio calls,” Brundle wrote. “He also survived two stewards’ enquiries for potential safety car and red-flag infringements, the latter when the team began to do disallowed work on his car before ceasing that procedure. It was a great drive from Isack.”

Hadjar himself acknowledged how close the weekend came to unravelling. “I started the week in the worst way possible,” he said at the post-race press conference. “I lost all my confidence in FP2 because I just didn’t have any feeling with my car. I really thought it was going to be a weekend outside the points at some point.”

The French-Algerian driver, promoted from Racing Bulls to Red Bull for 2025 as team-mate to four-time champion Max Verstappen, now sits eighth in the drivers’ championship with 29 points — one place behind Verstappen.

Monaco’s race weekend was one of the most turbulent of the season, featuring seven retirements and multiple penalties across the field. Antonelli’s dominant run of form continues to reshape the title picture, while Hamilton’s second place marks a timely swing in his standings battle with Russell.