Isack Hadjar admits he apologised to Liam Lawson after Racing Bulls ‘mistake’

Follow us on Google Discover

Isack Hadjar collided with Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson on the final lap of the Sao Paulo GP last time out. Ahead of this weekend’s race in Las Vegas, both drivers revisited the incident.

Lawson was leading a train of cars in seventh as he attempted to execute a bold one-stop strategy. Heading into turn one on lap 71, Hadjar tried to swoop around the outside and turned in sharply.

His left rear hit Lawson’s right front, knocking him off-line and allowing the New Zealander to drive back past. He held on until the chequered flag, and Racing Bulls collected 10 crucial points in the fight for sixth in the standings.

But it could easily have been a disastrous non-score. Lawson complained over the radio that ‘he just drove into me’, while Hadjar was audibly frustrated after the chequered flag as the team said sorry for their strategic errors.

Isack Hadjar instantly apologised to Liam Lawson over Racing Bulls contact

Speaking on Thursday, Hadjar admitted that this move had been too ‘aggressive’. He said the team were ‘very lucky’ to avoid an incident.

If he had the chance again, he would have followed Lawson through the Senna S and attempted an overtake into turn four instead.

Hadjar says he has never crashed into his teammate during his racing career and was relieved to keep that streak going.

• READ MORE: Damon Hill has noticed a change in Liam Lawson that could earn him a 2026 Racing Bulls seat

“Honestly, I immediately jumped out of the car and came to apologise,” he said. “It was a bit aggressive.

“Looking back at the onboard, just both of us moving in one direction and we got very lucky.

“Also on my side, I should have been a bit more patient and probably get him on the next straight, but I made a mistake and that’s it.

“Honestly, I never crashed with a teammate my whole career. I do take a bit more margin. It’s something you should do.”

How Liam Lawson reflects on Isack Hadjar battle in Brazil

On the other side of the garage, Lawson defended Hadjar. He says he would have done the same thing in the rookie’s position with time rapidly running out.

“If the roles were reversed, I would have gone for the same kind of overtake,” he said. “You’ve got to try and get your wheels in front before Turn 1.”

Hadjar sits 10th in the championship ahead of the season-ending triple-header, level on points with Nico Hulkenberg ahead. Lawson is only seven points back in 14th.

Come the end of the season, Hadjar is expected to get a Red Bull seat, while Lawson is fighting to stay on the grid with Racing Bulls.