Hadjar Penalized for Impeding Sainz in Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying
Isack Hadjar has been penalized with a three-place grid penalty for the Canadian Grand Prix, after impeding Williams driver Carlos Sainz during the qualifying session. Sainz, visibly affected, described his weekend as “destroyed” after being eliminated in Q1 due to the incident.Hadjar, who initially qualified in ninth position, now drops to twelfth position after the application of the penalty. The stewards determined that Hadjar’s car, on its in-lap, encountered Sainz’s car, on a flying lap, at the entrance to Turn 6. Although Hadjar tried to move off the racing line to give space, the maneuver was late. The Hadjar driver acknowledged having hindered Sainz, explaining that his team had misinformed him about Sainz’s situation. The standard penalty for this infraction during qualifying is a three-place grid penalty. Hadjar defended himself, stating that he was not informed that Sainz was on a fast lap behind him.I don’t care if it was fast. If in Q1 you arrive and there’s a guy in the middle of the track that completely ruins your qualifying, that means your weekend is destroyed.
Carlos Sainz
Hadjar added that the information received by his team was incorrect, which he regretted, as it ruined Sainz’s classification and, to some extent, his own. Yuki Tsunoda was also sanctioned with a 10-place grid penalty.I never get in anyone’s way, not even in training.
Isack Hadjar
