Why Isack Hadjar rejected Kimi Antonelli's apology after the Shanghai F1 sprint race
· Yahoo Sports
The official Formula 1 social media accounts shared a curious moment in China. At the finish of the Chinese GP sprint race, Kimi Antonelli’s attempt to apologize to Isack Hadjar was coldly rejected by the French driver.
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The Mercedes driver, who would later secure pole position for Sunday’s race, approached the Red Bull after causing a collision on the first lap. The Italian was quickly handed a 10-second penalty by the stewards, but his apology was not well received by Isack Hadjar.
When the Mercedes driver approached him, the French driver motioned for him to move on and brushed off the apology before getting out of his car.
Kimi and Isack in parc ferme after contact in the Sprint 👀#F1Sprint#ChineseGPpic.twitter.com/fTtyXC50Q6
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 14, 2026
It was a divisive move that sparked numerous comments, particularly from Ralf Schumacher, speaking on Sky Deutschland.
"Normally, you don’t do that, because he’s a very impulsive person, and of course he can get frustrated," said the former driver. "I think we shouldn’t judge him right away. After 20 laps, you can already calm down a bit. But hey, that’s just his personality. We see him act like that in the paddock."
"He’s a top-level athlete, someone who is totally focused and gives his all to the sport. So yes, you could say that a reaction like that can happen sometimes. But of course, he’ll learn from it too. And maybe in five years, he would have reacted differently."
Read Also: Isack Hadjar calls on Red Bull to do better: ‘I would’ve taken the lead easily but had no battery’When interviewed by Canal+ after the sprint race at the Shanghai circuit, Hadjar didn’t mention that incident but clearly expressed his annoyance and confusion regarding Antonelli.
"I don’t understand why he’s so worked up when he has a rocket of a car and is going to move up anyway... Well, these things happen," he said.
Finishing 15th in the sprint, he qualified his Red Bull for the fifth row and will start Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix from ninth on the grid.
Photos from Chinese GP - Saturday
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLarenMark Thompson / Getty Images
Fans
FansSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, WilliamsAnni Graf - Formula 1 via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing BullsKym Illman / Getty Images
Alexandra Leclerc arrives in the Paddock
Alexandra Leclerc arrives in the PaddockAlex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team PrincipalMark Thompson / Getty Images
Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac Team Principal; Frederic Vasseur, Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal
Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac Team Principal; Frederic Vasseur, Scuderia Ferrari Team PrincipalJayce Illman / Getty Images
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer, Haas F1 on the grid
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer, Haas F1 on the gridGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin RacingAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesJames Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariMark Thompson / Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, WilliamsPeter Fox / Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingLars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, FerrariGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing BullsLars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, MercedesLintao Zhang / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLarenLars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, FerrariRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLarenAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, MercedesJade Gao - Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamAlastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 TeamLintao Zhang / LAT Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, AlpineJames Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLarenSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing BullsAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, FerrariLars Baron / Getty Images
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesJames Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, FerrariGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, MercedesJade Gao - Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariJames Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, MercedesJames Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, MercedesJames Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamPeter Fox / Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesMario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesMark Thompson / Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 TeamAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariDom Gibbons / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 TeamDom Gibbons / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesMark Thompson / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariJames Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team crash
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team crashGuido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull RacingDom Gibbons / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenMario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesMario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari with his mother Carmen Lockhar
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari with his mother Carmen LockharAndy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesDom Gibbons / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesMario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing BullsMark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenPeter Fox / Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMarcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariMario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Read Also: Alex Albon: Williams "cannot hide" behind F1 2026 car weight Kimi Antonelli apology to Isack Hadjar after Chinese GP sprint contact rejected in awkward video How Antonelli became F1's youngest-ever polesitterTo read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.