Isack Hadjar jokes he became Max Verstappen’s 'Deliveroo' after Belgian GP tow

Isack Hadjar pulled off one of the most selfless moves of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend on Saturday, joking that he felt like a food-delivery cyclist after towing Max Verstappen into a front-row start at Spa-Francorchamps.

Hadjar’s tow in Q3 helped Verstappen secure P2 behind Kimi Antonelli’s pole, a result that delighted the four-time world champion.

What happened?

On 26 July 2025, during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, Isack Hadjar used his final Q3 runs to deliver two perfectly timed slipstreams for teammate Max Verstappen. The Frenchman started from the back of the grid after Red Bull took a 30-place penalty for new power-unit components, so he had little to gain from his own lap times. Instead, Hadjar focused on setting up Verstappen for a front-row lockout alongside Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli, who claimed pole with a 2:00.784.

Hadjar’s tow came at Spa’s Pouhon double-apex, where he deliberately slowed to let Verstappen draft through. The Dutchman then used the extra speed to shave 0.174s off his own lap, securing P2 on the grid.

Why it matters for Isack Hadjar

The 21-year-old Alpine junior showed racecraft and teamwork that impressed both Verstappen and the paddock. Hadjar admitted the hardest part wasn’t the tow itself but predicting how the Renault power unit would respond after he lifted and re-accelerated. “The engine software wasn’t designed for that,” he told GPblog. “It made the power delivery unpredictable, so I had to judge the gap on feel.”

When asked what Red Bull could give back, Hadjar grinned and replied, “Money.” The quip underlined his light-hearted approach even as he delivered a race-winning move for his teammate.

Verstappen was full of praise after the session. “He did amazing,” the Dutchman said. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s too close,’ but it worked out to the last corner. I trusted him.”

What comes next?

Hadjar will start Sunday’s race from P20 after his 30-place grid penalty. His tow for Verstappen shifts attention to his race pace and whether Alpine can turn Saturday’s strategy into points on Sunday.

Red Bull’s tow plan paid off perfectly, but the bigger story is Hadjar’s willingness to play a supporting role. The Frenchman’s joke about being a “Deliveroo” driver masked real skill behind the wheel.

Race day at Spa-Francorchamps is set for 27 July 2025.