Isack Hadjar's Monaco Podium Under Threat From FIA Investigation

Isack Hadjar's second career podium is at risk after Monaco Grand Prix stewards launched an investigation into a possible red flag infringement. The Red Bull rookie had initially finished fourth on the road in the Principality, only to be elevated to third when Alpine's Pierre Gasly was hit with 10 seconds of time penalties for speeding in the pit lane. Now, Hadjar faces an anxious wait to learn whether his maiden podium for the Milton Keynes-based outfit will stand or be stripped.

Why it matters:

A post-race penalty would be brutal for Hadjar, who is fighting to prove himself within the Red Bull driver program. Losing a podium at Monaco over a procedural infringement would not only cost him a bucket of championship points but also gift McLaren's Oscar Piastri an unexpected trip to the rostrum. In an environment where junior drivers are judged largely on results, even a minor stewarding decision can have outsized consequences for a young career.

The details:

• Hadjar originally finished fourth on the road but was promoted to third after Alpine's Pierre Gasly was hit with a 10-second penalty for repeated pit-lane speeding violations, dropping him to seventh.
• The stewards are investigating whether Hadjar breached red flag regulations during the race, though the exact nature of the alleged infringement has not yet been disclosed.
• The stakes: A time penalty would almost certainly push Hadjar out of the podium positions and erase what would be his second career rostrum finish.
• Piastri in waiting: If Hadjar is penalized, McLaren's Oscar Piastri will move up from fourth to claim third place and the final trophy in Monte Carlo.

What's next:

The FIA will need to review timing data, onboard footage, and team radio before reaching a verdict. Until the stewards issue their decision, Hadjar and Red Bull are left in procedural limbo. If cleared, he will secure a career-boosting second podium at F1's most prestigious venue; if found guilty, he will leave Monaco empty-handed and watch Piastri take his place.