Hadjar says Russell clash derailed promising Mexico City start

After the race, Isack Hadjar said a Turn 6 clash with George Russell derailed his promising Mexico City Grand Prix start. The Red Bull driver had climbed from seventh to fifth through the opening corners; Hadjar said Russell put a wheel up the inside and sent him to the back, making it difficult to get back into the points. Russell was given a 10-second penalty.

Hadjar said the team pitted him onto the medium tyre. In clear air he could feel the car’s pace, but overtaking was difficult. The safety-car timing also went against him, he said, and he lost ground again at the second restart when he got “closed onto the grass.”

He nevertheless fought back to ninth. Hadjar said the car’s pace and the good starts were positives to take into Brazil.