Hadjar says Turn 1 mistakes made it logical to swap places with Verstappen

Isack Hadjar says his mistakes at Turn 1 helped Max Verstappen move ahead of him in the São Paulo Grand Prix, and made the position swap logical. Speaking to Viaplay after the race, Hadjar estimated that he made two or three errors there, each costing about a second; Verstappen, he said, made none.

Verstappen had started 21st after grid penalties. Hadjar said the pair had comparable pace on the soft tyres, but Verstappen was much quicker on slicks after the first pit stop and Hadjar made way. Hadjar asked whether he would get the place back if Verstappen could not pass race leader Lando Norris. Both later pitted and the gap widened.

Hadjar said he had not discussed the change and would rather have avoided the situation by making no mistakes himself. He finished third for his fourth Formula 1 podium and said he wanted at least second next time.