Isack Hadjar Powers Verstappen’s Spa Qualifying Surge on 18 Jul 2026

**Isack Hadjar’s tow on 18 July 2026 propelled Max Verstappen onto P2 for the Belgian Grand Prix, cementing the French rookie’s role in Red Bull’s qualifying success.**

How did the tow happen?

During the final qualifying session, Red Bull deployed 21‑year‑old Hadjar in Q3 to chase the leading pack. In Sector 3, Hadjar positioned directly behind Verstappen, delivering a clean slipstream that shaved tenths off the Dutchman’s lap. Verstappen later confirmed, “And then, of course, Isack in Q3 helped me a lot with the tow in the final sector.” The maneuver allowed Verstappen to finish just 0.30 seconds shy of pole‑sitter Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Why is Hadjar’s contribution significant?

Hadjar entered the session with a heavy penalty‑unit load, meaning his own grid slot was already compromised. Yet Red Bull saw his straight‑line speed as a tool to boost Verstappen’s lap. The French‑Algerian driver’s ability to maintain a steady line through the high‑speed Eau Rouge section gave Verstappen the extra thrust needed on the final straight. This shows Red Bull’s confidence in Hadjar’s pace despite his own qualifying challenges.

What does this mean for Hadjar’s future?

The tow underscores Hadjar’s growing relevance within the team. After a difficult run in Austria and Silverstone, his performance at Spa suggests he can influence race‑weekend outcomes beyond his own grid position. Team engineers will likely analyse the data to fine‑tune his car, aiming to convert his raw speed into better qualifying results. If the trend continues, Hadjar could become a regular strategic asset in future qualifying sessions.

What’s next for the Belgian Grand Prix?

The race on Sunday will start with Verstappen on the front row, while Hadjar is expected to start near the back due to his penalty‑unit penalty. Red Bull will need to balance the pace of both drivers, ensuring Verstappen can maintain his lead while Hadjar navigates traffic. Fans will watch closely to see if Hadjar can turn his qualifying momentum into a strong race finish, potentially earning his first points of the season.

How did the team react?

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner praised the execution, noting that “the tow was perfect, and Isack delivered exactly what we needed.” Verstappen added that without Hadjar’s assistance, his qualifying position could have slipped to P6, highlighting the razor‑thin margins at Spa. The team’s debrief will focus on extracting more performance from the RB22, especially on the straight‑line sections where Verstappen felt the car was “a bit slow.”

The Belgian Grand Prix promises a thrilling Sunday, with Verstappen eyeing his first win of 2026 and Hadjar looking to prove his worth as a key teammate.