Isack Hadjar Reveals Red Bull's Secret to Repaying His Belgian Grand Prix Tow

Isack Hadjar Lifts the Lid on Red Bull's Slipstream Strategy

Isack Hadjar, the French Formula 1 driver, has revealed the intricacies of Red Bull's slipstream strategy that helped Max Verstappen secure a front-row start for the Belgian Grand Prix. Speaking to GPblog and other media after qualifying, Hadjar explained the challenges of timing the tow and managing the unpredictable power delivery during the run.

What Happened?

Hadjar shed more light on the tow that helped Verstappen secure a front-row start, explaining that the hardest part was not the manoeuvre itself but predicting how the engine would react after he deliberately slowed down before accelerating again. According to the Frenchman, the power delivery became difficult to anticipate because the engine software was not designed for that kind of situation, making it extremely challenging to judge the correct pace and maintain the ideal gap to Verstappen throughout the lap.

Why It Matters for Isack Hadjar

"What's difficult is to understand what the engine is going to give you because once you stop out of Turn 14 and to deliver the power the engine is a bit confused because you've stopped for no reason and when the software is confused," Hadjar explained. "So on that first attempt in Q3, I had way too much power, so I pulled away from him. And the second attempt, I didn't have enough, so if anything, he was catching me, and I couldn't tow him the whole way. I was very difficult to judge."

What Comes Next?

Finally, when asked what he expected in return after helping his teammate with the tow in qualifying, Hadjar responded with a smile, joking that the team could simply repay him with "money." The Belgian Grand Prix is set to take place on Sunday, with Verstappen and Hadjar looking to make a strong impression on the track.

The Dutchman acknowledged that Red Bull's slipstream strategy proved crucial in securing a front-row start, admitting he would have been several places further back without Isack Hadjar's assistance. With the Frenchman already destined to start from the back of the grid, the team used him to provide a tow in the final sector, helping Verstappen qualify alongside pole-sitter Antonelli.

Despite expecting a difficult race with rivals close behind, the Dutchman was pleased with the outcome of qualifying and praised Red Bull's execution throughout the session. Looking ahead, Verstappen said the RB22 had been competitive throughout the weekend, although he felt it still lacked the outright pace shown by Antonelli. Even so, he believes the team has extracted the maximum from the package so far and heads into Sunday's Grand Prix encouraged by the car's long-run performance, while remaining cautious over tyre degradation and race pace around Spa.

"Otherwise I'd have been sixth," Verstappen said, dismissing talk of a 'failed tow.' The Belgian Grand Prix is set to be a closely contested event, with Verstappen and Hadjar looking to make a strong impression on the track.

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