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Mekies: Hadjar’s São Paulo drive was his best for Red Bull

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-11-12GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

The Red Bull team principal praised Hadjar’s pace and racecraft after the Frenchman finished third at Interlagos, his third podium of 2026.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Laurent Mekies has called Isack Hadjar’s third-place drive at the São Paulo Grand Prix his best race for Red Bull so far. The team principal praised Hadjar’s pace in dry and intermediate conditions and his racecraft in a difficult contest.

Hadjar started fifth and finished third at Interlagos, taking his third podium of 2026. Max Verstappen finished second, giving Red Bull a double podium. Mekies said Hadjar’s continued improvement was among the qualities that impressed the team when it confirmed him for 2027.

Hadjar was running second when Red Bull instructed him on lap 38 to let Verstappen pass. Mekies said the team would have reversed the positions if the cars had stayed close, but the returning rain and widening gap later made a swap-back pointless. He also praised how the two drivers worked together to make the most of the circuit.

Sources 01
  1. SOURCELaurent Mekies: Brazil was Isack Hadjar’s “best race” for Red BullMotorsport.com F1