Hadjar summoned by stewards after shoving fan who grabbed him in Mexico City paddock

Red Bull rookie Isack Hadjar has been summoned to the Mexican Grand Prix stewards after footage circulated on social media showing him pushing a fan who lunged at him for a selfie in the Mexico City paddock on Friday.

The video, which spread rapidly on X, shows a fan attempting to throw his arm around Hadjar as the driver walked between sessions. Hadjar initially pushed him back at arm’s length before delivering a more forceful shove when the fan persisted. The incident occurred between FP1 and FP2 on Friday, a difficult day on track for the Frenchman — he finished 11th in the opening session after power unit problems curtailed his running, before recovering to sixth in FP2.

Hadjar is scheduled to appear before the stewards at 10:15am local time on Saturday. Under FIA regulations, a breach of the misconduct rule carries a base fine of €5,000, though a warning is also possible for a first offence.

The reaction online was largely sympathetic toward the driver. One post on X, liked more than 3,000 times, read: “So, incredibly, when you’re polite to him and don’t infringe on his space and touch him, he’s actually really cool to fans… it’s a privilege to meet a driver but you’re never entitled to it.” Another user added: “Good on Hadjar, honestly, fans should get a grip. Personal space is a thing and it should be respected.”

Several supporters questioned why Hadjar was the party facing disciplinary action. “Hadjar should not be in trouble, this older man should not be touching him. Paddocks are workplaces, not show grounds. Drivers are people, not property,” one wrote. Others acknowledged the provocation but suggested security should have intervened sooner.

Not all responses were sympathetic, with some critics arguing the shove was excessive regardless of the fan’s behaviour.

The episode arrives at a sensitive moment for Hadjar. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher said earlier this week, speaking to Sky Deutschland, that the 20-year-old “needs to take it down a notch” following a series of heated radio messages during the United States Grand Prix in Austin.