Celebrations were underway in Monza as Visa Cash App RB’s crew gathered at a local hotel to mark their podium success from last weekend.
But noticeably absent from the festivities were the drivers who helped put the team on the map this season — Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson.
According to Kym Illman, the VCARB staff organised a private event in the wake of the team's milestone result. Yet when asked about it afterward, Lawson admitted he hadn’t even known the celebration had taken place.
Though the podium was scored Hadjar in an impressive run, even he was not in attendance, raising questions about why the drivers were left off the guest list.
For Hadjar, the omission comes at a particularly interesting time. The rookie has been making headlines throughout the season, from his fearless on-track aggression to his lighthearted moments with fellow drivers.
Fans have rallied around him as one of F1’s most promising new faces, and many were quick to notice his absence from the team’s celebratory night.
Lawson, too, has been steadily building his reputation as a reliable and consistent performer. His genuine surprise upon learning of the part underscored just how out of the loop the drivers seemed to be.
NOT INVITED LAST NIGHT
— Kym Illman (@KymIllman) September 4, 2025
The VCARB crew gathered at a Monza hotel last night to celebrate last weekend’s podium. The drivers, however, weren’t invited and when I mentioned it to Liam, he seemed genuinely surprised to hear there’d even been an event.#formula1 #f1 #f1content… pic.twitter.com/QIVzDZUjno
While it’s not uncommon for teams to host internal staff events during a long season, the fact that neither Hadjar nor Lawson was included has already become a talking point among fans. Social media chatter suggests some see it as a snub, while others believe it was simply a behind-the-scenes gathering for team personnel only.
Regardless of the reason, the missed Monza party adds another curious twist to the VCARB story this season — and it won’t go unnoticed as the team heads into the Italian GP weekend.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!