Hadjar cleared to race after Singapore qualifying failure

Isack Hadjar was cleared by Singapore Grand Prix stewards to compete in Sunday’s race after mechanical problems left the Red Bull driver without a qualifying time. The decision allowed him to start but did not determine his grid position or resolve any penalties related to potential power-unit changes. Hadjar’s difficult weekend included a retirement from Saturday’s sprint race and a failure to set a time in qualifying. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said the sprint retirement was caused by a power-unit problem, while a gearbox issue prevented Hadjar from completing a qualifying lap. The stewards granted permission to race because he had not set a time in qualifying. Hadjar said he wanted to drive despite the prospect of starting from the back, and was frustrated by the limited running. He had soft tyres available that he expected would go unused if he could not compete. He also requested a fresh pool of engine components, saying the weekend called for a restart. Mekies did not confirm whether Red Bull would make that change.