Now, here is a wild scene from the Formula 1 paddock at the Mexico City Grand Prix, as Crash.net reports. Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar was caught on video shoving a fan away following the conclusion of opening practice. The Frenchman appeared visibly annoyed when the supporter materialized by his side and attempted to grab a selfie.
While an official blocked part of the view during the confrontation, footage shared on social media indicates that Hadjar made it clear he wanted no part of a photograph. The fan seemingly persisted in pressing for a picture opportunity anyway, which prompted the Red Bull driver to push him aside. The exact words exchanged during the incident remain unclear.
It's like a zoo. It is often no longer possible to have a chat with someone. That's not really possible anymore. So I mainly live from my room to the garage and the pit lane,
That awkward moment capped off a genuinely frustrating start to the weekend for Hadjar on the track. He finished only 11th in the session after running into power unit trouble in his RB22. To make matters worse, he was outpaced by rookie Ayumu Iwasa, who stepped in for Max Verstappen and claimed fifth-fastest before Verstappen returned to action in second practice.
This latest paddock flare-up arrives against a backdrop of growing tension regarding fan and VIP access at Grands Prix. Verstappen recently didn't mince words when comparing the paddock environment to a zoo due to the overwhelming number of guests each weekend. Speaking to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf in Singapore, the four-time world champion explained how difficult it has become to simply have a conversation or find rest outside the garage.
"It's like a zoo. It is often no longer possible to have a chat with someone. That's not really possible anymore. So I mainly live from my room to the garage and the pit lane," Verstappen said. "Even in our own hospitality rooms, there are many guests who want something from you. Of course they mean well, but I also need to be able to rest without being bothered all the time. I know it's part of it. And that, the more you perform and the more you've achieved, the more people want you to be. In that respect, it is also a good thing."
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