Rookie driver Isack Hadjar is facing an uncertain start at the Chinese Grand Prix, as his hard-earned seventh place is now under scrutiny. Following an alleged unsafe release during qualifying, the FIA has summoned Hadjar, threatening his impressive P7 debut.
The FIA stewards have been kept on their toes at the Chinese Grand Prix, examining drivers’ conduct after Friday’s Sprint qualifying and now again after the main qualifying session. Isack Hadjar, who managed to hold his own in Q3, became the second rookie to reach this advanced stage this season. However, his accomplishment is now overshadowed by the ensuing controversy.
The most significant penalty so far was handed to Jack Doohan after a collision with Gabriel Bortoleto in the Sprint race. Despite this, Doohan’s 10-second penalty, which came when he was already languishing in the last place, might appear trivial compared to what Hadjar could potentially face.
The controversy revolves around an incident involving Hadjar and his stablemate Max Verstappen during the Q3 session. Verstappen, forced to swerve around Hadjar’s Racing Bulls car, had to quickly shift into the pit’s slow lane after Hadjar was allegedly unsafely released into his path.
The FIA, in its note, mentioned an “alleged breach of Article 34.14 a) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations. Unsafe release of Car 6”. As a result, Hadjar’s P7 starting position hangs in the balance, with the possibility of a grid penalty if he is found guilty. Alternatively, the Racing Bulls team might have to bear a fine.
Moreover, another rookie, Oliver Bearman, also found himself in hot water. He was accused of obstructing Lance Stroll during qualifying and was subsequently summoned to the stewards’ office in Shanghai. Bearman allegedly hindered Stroll at Turn 13 in Q1, earning himself a place on the stewards’ watchlist. While Stroll barely managed to scrape into Q2, ahead of Gasly by 0.07s, Bearman was not so fortunate, ending up in 17th place after failing to advance to the next stage.
