Tensions Erupt at the Italian Grand Prix: Isack Hadjar Slams Carlos Sainz Over Qualifying Chaos!
The atmosphere was electric at the Italian Grand Prix as Racing Bulls’ rookie sensation Isack Hadjar unleashed a barrage of frustration following a dramatic qualifying session marred by a contentious incident with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. The clash not only resulted in Hadjar’s first Q1 exit of the season but also ignited a fiery exchange that has left fans and pundits buzzing.
Coming off the high of a spectacular podium finish in the Dutch Grand Prix just a week prior, Hadjar’s fortunes took a nosedive in Monza. He found himself battling through heavy traffic, a common occurrence on the tight and fast circuit, as both he and Sainz aimed for a crucial Q2 spot. However, what unfolded was a series of miscalculations that would ultimately seal Hadjar’s fate.
As Hadjar prepared to leave the pits, Sainz swooped in front of him, claiming the fast lane with reckless abandon. Although the Williams driver initially let Sainz pass, he soon found himself stuck behind the Ferrari, who stubbornly clung to his tail during their out-laps. Hadjar, clearly agitated, vented his frustrations over the radio, questioning Sainz’s tactics. “Why does Sainz have to be so annoying? Who the hell does an out-lap, a warm-up? I mean, what was he doing?” he exclaimed. “He’s just playing around to just let me by like s**t.”
The root of the issue lay in the peculiar qualifying strategy employed by Williams, which left Hadjar compromised and unable to clock the necessary time to advance. “He was just super annoying on the out-lap,” he stated to reporters afterward, expressing his bewilderment at Sainz’s aggressive pursuit of track position, only to let him pass without contributing to a timed run. “So I’m compromised on the out-lap for nothing, and yeah, later on I made a mistake.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Hadjar revealed that the looming shadow of a grid penalty due to an engine change weighed heavily on his mind as he approached qualifying. “But honestly, all of that doesn’t matter, because I’m starting last tomorrow,” he lamented. “I hate going into qualifying knowing anyway that I’m starting last tomorrow. I like having pressure going into qualifying. And this was just wrong.”
With his new floor allocated to teammate Liam Lawson, Hadjar speculated that he might have reached Q3 under different circumstances. He did not shy away from critiquing his own performance, acknowledging a critical mistake in the middle sector that cemented his early exit. “It’s the first time in Q1 so much happened, everything goes wrong, and I also made a mistake,” he reflected. “If I’m starting in the top 10, we have a shot at points. But we can’t overtake 10 cars on pure pace and with a good strategy,” he added, making it clear that the odds were stacked against him.
As the dust settles from this explosive qualifying session, all eyes will be on Isack Hadjar as he gears up for the race. Will he be able to overcome the odds and turn his fortunes around, or will the clash with Sainz continue to haunt him? The stage is set for an unforgettable showdown at Monza!
