Hadjar's maiden Monaco podium at risk after Red Bull mechanics breach red-flag rules

Isack Hadjar’s provisional third-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix is under threat after race stewards summoned the Red Bull driver following a potential breach of the technical regulations during a late red flag period at the Circuit de Monaco.

Red Bull mechanics are alleged to have worked on Hadjar’s RB22 while the race was suspended under a red flag, which would constitute a violation of Article B5.14.4.a of the technical regulations. Stewards did note, however, that when the team was challenged, the mechanics “stopped working and reverted the car to its previous state without replacing any part” — a detail that could prove significant in determining the severity of any penalty.

Hadjar had provisionally finished third behind race winner Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, a result that would have represented his maiden podium for Red Bull. Should stewards impose a penalty that strips him of the position, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri would inherit third place and claim his second podium of the season.

The late red flag that triggered the controversy was itself the product of a chaotic closing phase to the race. Crashes involving Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, combined with a deteriorating track surface at the final corner, brought the race to a halt before it could be concluded under normal conditions.

Leclerc later revealed that brake failure had contributed to his incident, telling reporters that “three out of four brakes” were not functioning at the time of his crash.

The stewards’ investigation is ongoing, and Hadjar’s final classification will not be confirmed until a decision is reached.