Sky Sports issue apology as F1 star furious with rival swears during live interview
An incident during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix led to Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar turning the air blue in a Sky Sports interview as he vented his frustration over Carlos Sainz
Formula 1 commentator David Croft issued an apology to Sky Sports viewers after some colourful language from one driver was broadcast on live TV. It happened during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix when an interview with an irate Isack Hadjar was shown.
The Frenchman came into the Monza race weekend riding high after his first F1 podium last Sunday at Zandvoort. A strong qualifying was the foundation for that result on the Dutch coast, but he could not replicate that in Italy.
Hadjar was a surprise name in the bottom five at the end of the first part of qualifying, meaning an early elimination. He made his way to the media pen a few minutes later where, clearly still frustrated, he pointed the finger at Carlos Sainz, accusing the Williams driver of getting in his way.
He said: "We were actually really fast, the car was really good. But the out-lap was a mess with Carlos playing around a lot and wouldn't let me by. I don't know why he even went out on track in the first place on used tyres, just to cruise around and p*** me off."
That expletive was caught by the Sky production team, but they weren't quick enough to catch it when Hadjar swore again seconds later as he added: "I don't know what was the point. I made a mistake on the lap and that was it. It's my first mistake in quali for a while, so s*** happens."
The Racing Bulls driver continued: "He was playing around, trying to make my life difficult on the out lap and then not letting me by properly. I just don't know what he was doing. He had his reasons, his run plan, and he knows exactly what he is doing. Anyway, I'm starting last tomorrow, from the back."
READ MORE: Italian Grand Prix qualifying result as McLaren beaten and Ferrari party spoiledREAD MORE: Yuki Tsunoda's F1 career in doubt after what Red Bull boss refused to say at Italian GPOne the interview had ended, the broadcast went back to commentator Croft who immediately apologised to viewers for the language heard in the interview. He also clarified that Hadjar will start Sunday's race from the back because of an incoming penalty.
Hadjar is set to be given new engine parts for the race, taking him over the allotted number of components that each car is allowed to use in a season. The automatic penalties that those new parts incur means the 20-year-old will be starting Sunday's race from the pit lane.
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It was a rough qualifying overall for Racing Bulls, as Hadjar's team-mate Liam Lawson found himself 20th and dead last on the timesheets. But there was joy for the parent Red Bull team as Max Verstappen beat off his rivals to secure pole position.
Lando Norris will start alongside him on the front row, having gone slightly faster than his McLaren team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri. Charles Leclerc will be the highest-starting Ferrari driver at their home race, fourth on the grid, while Lewis Hamilton drops to 10th because of a five-place penalty.