How could Hadjar keep his Monaco podium despite the spark plug attempt?

F1 Grand Prix, GP Monaco, Monte Carlo Circuit

Isack Hadjar’s breakthrough Monaco Grand Prix podium will stand after stewards confirmed that no further action would be taken over Red Bull’s alleged red‑flag infringement.

The ruling ends a tense post‑race wait for the 21‑year‑old, who had already endured a chaotic afternoon marked by severe driveability problems and a late‑race red flag.

Red Bull’s race unravelled almost immediately when Max Verstappen retired at the end of the opening lap with a technical failure. That left Hadjar as the team’s sole representative — and even he was battling what he later described as “massive driveability issues” from the early laps.

Despite the compromised engine behaviour, Hadjar kept himself in contention through Monaco’s attritional rhythm. He crossed the line fourth, then inherited third when Alpine’s Pierre Gasly received two five‑second penalties for pit‑lane speeding.

For a moment, it looked like Hadjar had secured his first podium as a full‑time Red Bull driver.

During the late‑race suspension, the FIA Technical Delegate reported that Red Bull mechanics were seen working on Car 6 at 16:55, allegedly performing operations not permitted under Article B5.14.4.a, which restricts what teams may do to a car during a red‑flag stoppage.

The report stated that the mechanics appeared to be attempting to change spark plugs/coils — a logical target given Hadjar’s ongoing engine issues.

But crucially, the team halted the work immediately when queried and reverted the car to its previous state.

A stewarding document later clarified: “The team were reported as attempting to change spark plugs/coils but did not proceed with the change and the car started in the same condition as it arrived in the pits, therefore no further action is taken.”

Hadjar and a Red Bull representative were summoned, but after reviewing the evidence, the stewards concluded that no prohibited part change had occurred.

The late red flag offered a rare opportunity: a stationary car, a reset grid, and a chance to address the driveability issues that had plagued Hadjar all race. Spark plugs and coils are among the few components that can cause intermittent misfires or throttle response irregularities — exactly the symptoms Hadjar described.

But under the current regulations, teams may not replace components during a red‑flag suspension unless explicitly authorised. Even an attempted change can trigger scrutiny.