Max Verstappen backs Isack Hadjar over paddock warning.
Max Verstappen has publicly backed Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar after the Frenchman received a formal warning for a paddock incident at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The four-time world champion said he understands the reaction and admitted he has bumped into people himself. The comments were reported by Telegraaf, and they have put a spotlight on how crowded the Formula 1 paddock has become.
Verstappen Explains Why He Understands Hadjar
Speaking to Telegraaf, Verstappen made it clear that he sides with his teammate. “I understand why he did that,” the Dutchman said. He pointed to how uncomfortable unwanted contact can be, saying it is “really annoying when someone starts touching you.”
Verstappen did not present himself as someone who has never come close to a similar reaction. He said he has not pushed anyone yet, but admitted that he has bumped into a few people. That admission gives his defense extra weight, because it frames Hadjar’s reaction as something a fellow driver can relate to rather than something to condemn.
Verstappen: The Paddock Is Just Like a Zoo
The Red Bull driver also widened the discussion to the paddock environment itself. “I’ve said it before: the paddock is just like a zoo,” he told Telegraaf. He tied the problem directly to access, adding that this is what happens when you let so many people in.
The comparison is not new for Verstappen, who stressed that he has made the point before. This time it came attached to a concrete example involving his own teammate, which gave the criticism of paddock crowding a clear and recent reference point.
What Happened in the Mexico City Paddock
The incident took place on Friday, as Hadjar made his way toward the garage ahead of free practice. According to the stewards’ report and Hadjar’s own account, he had stopped to pose for a photograph with a young fan when another paddock guest approached him in what was described as an aggressive manner.
Only one security person was present, and he was positioned too far behind to step in effectively. Hadjar first placed a hand on the guest’s waist to create distance, then pushed him aside with an open right hand. Video of the moment spread quickly on social media.
Why the Stewards Only Issued a Warning
Hadjar was summoned to the Mexico City Grand Prix stewards for misconduct. They determined that the push breached the International Sporting Code. A breach of the misconduct rule carries a base fine of 5,000 euros, although a warning is possible for a first offence.
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The stewards limited the outcome to a formal warning after weighing several mitigating factors. These included the uninvited and aggressive nature of the approach, the fact that Hadjar was running late for the session while crossing a congested area, and the lack of sufficient security close by. They also took into account the invasion of the driver’s personal space without consent and the wider difficulties drivers face moving through the paddock.
The decision to issue only a warning, rather than a fine or a sporting penalty, suggests the stewards accepted the context as a significant factor.
Hadjar Accepts the Decision: “It’s Not a Reality Show”
Hadjar accepted the outcome. Speaking after qualifying, he said he was glad the stewards took the right decision and understood his point. “Fair play,” he said. He has not disputed the warning itself, and he framed the episode as a request for basic respect rather than a demand for isolation.
He drew a clear line between young fans and adults. Hadjar said he would still stop for a photograph with a child, even on a day when he would rather not, but argued that an adult invading his space while he is heading to work crosses a line. “I’m going to work. It’s not a reality show,” he said.
When Verstappen’s zoo comparison was put to him, Hadjar agreed that the environment “needs to chill a bit.” Neither driver suggested that fans should be kept out. Both stressed the difference between respectful interaction and uninvited physical contact.
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Reaction online was largely supportive of Hadjar, with many fans arguing that personal space should be respected and that the paddock is a workplace. Some felt the situation could have been handled better. The episode came on a tough day on track for Hadjar, whose first practice session was limited by power unit problems.
The case highlights the dual nature of the modern paddock. It is a workplace where drivers must focus on preparation and performance, and it is also a high-visibility space where access is granted to a broad range of visitors. Balancing the two has become harder as the sport’s commercial reach has grown.
For Red Bull, the matter appears closed, with Hadjar facing no further sporting consequence. Verstappen’s comments have shifted attention from individual fault to the conditions that produce such moments. The drivers who race the cars need a workable path between the hospitality units, the garage and the track. AutodromeF1 will continue to follow the story.