Isack Hadjar followed Red Bull team orders to let Max Verstappen through during the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix, but later asked whether the team would reverse the positions if his team-mate failed to overtake Lando Norris. The French driver eventually finished third behind Verstappen, securing his third podium of the season and completing another double podium for Red Bull at Interlagos.
The result was a welcome boost for Red Bull, with both drivers finishing in the top three for the second time in 2026. However, the radio exchanges during the race offered another glimpse of the team’s established hierarchy, with Verstappen continuing to receive priority when the two cars are running close together.
Isack Hadjar secures Brazilian GP podium as Red Bull celebrates double success
Isack Hadjar claimed his third podium of the 2026 Formula 1 season in Brazil, celebrating alongside Max Verstappen for the second time this year. Having gone through a lengthy period without regularly seeing both drivers finish in the top three, Red Bull welcomed another strong collective result.
The Frenchman fulfilled the role traditionally expected of a driver partnering the four-time world champion: deliver competitive performances, score valuable points and, most importantly, make way when Verstappen arrives behind him.
At Interlagos, however, Hadjar enjoyed the opportunity to spend several laps ahead of his more experienced team-mate. Verstappen had started from the back of the grid following a power unit replacement but quickly recovered positions as he worked his way through the field.
The Dutchman’s recovery eventually brought the two Red Bull drivers together on the circuit, creating a situation that required a decision from the pit wall. As detailed in the Brazilian Grand Prix race report, the team instructed Hadjar to allow Verstappen through during the middle stages of the race.
Red Bull orders Hadjar to let Max Verstappen pass on lap 37
On lap 37, Hadjar received an instruction from his team to let Verstappen’s number 3 Red Bull through. The French driver complied, allowing his team-mate to move ahead without a prolonged battle for position.
However, a few laps later, Hadjar noticed that Verstappen was not opening up a particularly substantial gap. That prompted him to make a request over the team radio, apparently hoping Red Bull might be willing to return second place if the Dutchman could not make further progress.
“But if he can’t overtake Norris, do we stay like this?” Hadjar asked, referring to the possibility of Verstappen being unable to pass the McLaren driver.
The question reflected Hadjar’s hope that the team might consider reversing the earlier position swap. Having already obeyed the instruction to move aside, he was evidently interested in whether the arrangement could work in both directions.
Hadjar reminds Red Bull pit wall about possible position swap
With no immediate response coming from the Red Bull pit wall, Hadjar decided to raise the subject again. This time, his radio message was a more direct reminder that he was still expecting an answer.
“Hey, don’t forget to get back to me, OK?” the French driver said.
Ultimately, the running order remained unchanged. Verstappen stayed ahead of Hadjar, and the two drivers continued towards the chequered flag in second and third positions respectively.
As the laps passed and the weather conditions continued to change, Verstappen gradually increased his advantage over the other Red Bull. The gap eventually reached ten seconds, removing any realistic prospect of another position exchange.
Even if that advantage had been only half as large, however, it would have been difficult to imagine Verstappen agreeing to surrender second place after gaining the position through team orders.
Red Bull team orders underline Max Verstappen’s priority despite Hadjar podium
The outcome highlighted the continued importance of Verstappen within Red Bull’s racing structure. Although Hadjar had demonstrated his competitiveness by running ahead of his team-mate and securing another podium, the team chose to prioritise the Dutchman’s progress towards the front.
Verstappen eventually finished second behind race winner Lando Norris, while Hadjar completed the podium in third. The official finishing order from the Brazilian Grand Prix confirmed the Red Bull double podium, with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli completing the top five.
The result also helped Red Bull in its pursuit of Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship, although the Italian team retained second place after the São Paulo race. The double podium strengthened Red Bull’s position in the 2026 Formula 1 championship picture as the season approached its final rounds.
For Hadjar, third place represented another valuable achievement in a successful season. Nevertheless, his unanswered radio request illustrated the limitations of his position alongside Verstappen: even when the Frenchman has the pace to run near the front, Red Bull’s team orders can still determine which driver finishes ahead.
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