Hadjar admits defensive move on Leclerc was ‘harsh and stupid’

Isack Hadjar admitted his defensive move on Charles Leclerc at the Canadian Grand Prix was "harsh and stupid" after the Red Bull rookie picked up a 10-second penalty but still managed his best F1 finish in fifth place. The incident nearly sent Leclerc onto the grass at high speed, but the Ferrari driver avoided contact and later said the penalty was deserved.

Why it matters:

Hadjar's aggressive defense highlights the fine line between hard racing and dangerous driving, especially for rookies facing experienced champions. Leclerc's calm reaction and recovery to fourth place underscores Ferrari's resilience despite a difficult weekend.

The details:

• Hadjar squeezed Leclerc at the end of the back straight, forcing the Ferrari off-line at high speed. Leclerc avoided contact and the stewards issued a 10-second penalty.
• Hadjar admitted: "I was too harsh and if anything it wasn't even on purpose. I just got confused where he was heading."
• Leclerc told Canal+: "The penalty is deserved. It was a bit too close. Isack apologised, but these things happen."
• Beyond the incident, Hadjar also received a stop-and-go penalty for failing to slow under yellow flags. Despite two penalties, he still finished fifth.
• Hadjar expressed confusion about his pace: "I don't really understand where the pace went... I felt like I was back in FP1."

What's next:

Hadjar's result looks strong on paper but reveals underlying issues with race pace and discipline. For Leclerc, salvaging fourth from a weekend where he "never had a feel for the car" shows why he remains a title contender. The incident will likely be reviewed, but both drivers have moved on.