Isack Hadjar admits confusion over Red Bull strategy at Belgian GP

Isack Hadjar admitted he was initially confused by Red Bull's pit strategy during the Belgian Grand Prix, where he charged from the back of the grid to finish sixth. The French driver recovered after a grid penalty, benefiting from a safety car period to execute two early stops before running on hard tires for the remainder of the race.

What happened at the Belgian Grand Prix?

Hadjar started from the pit lane due to penalties but capitalized on the safety car triggered by George Russell's collision with Lewis Hamilton. Red Bull opted for an unconventional two-stop strategy, switching Hadjar from hard tires to another set of hards after just one lap. The move allowed him to run on two different compounds, fulfilling race regulations while maintaining strong pace.

Why was Hadjar confused by the strategy?

After the race, Hadjar told reporters, including GPblog, that he didn’t immediately understand the reasoning behind the double stop. He said, *"I was a bit lost with the pitstops, but I trust the guys. After a few laps, I understood why we did that. I was a bit slow in my head, I have to say. But it paid off well."* Despite his initial hesitation, the strategy worked, and he praised his team’s decision.

How did Hadjar perform in the race?

Hadjar delivered his strongest performance of the season, finishing sixth after starting last. He believed he could have fought for a podium if not for his grid penalty. *"It’s frustrating because I feel like if I just do the weekend without penalties, I think we’re fighting for the podium,"* he said. He also noted that Spa-Francorchamps, a track he didn’t expect to suit Red Bull, played to his strengths once he had clean air.

What’s next for Red Bull and Hadjar?

Red Bull raced without their 'Macarena' rear wing in Belgium after Max Verstappen’s accidents in Austria and Britain. Team principal Pierre Mekies confirmed they will have a fix ready for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Hadjar’s strong showing suggests Red Bull’s alternative setup can still deliver competitive results while they address the wing issues.