Max Verstappen gains 0.4s from Hadjar's Belgian GP tow

Max Verstappen clinched a front-row qualifying spot at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix after teammate Isack Hadjar sacrificed his Q3 run to provide a crucial slipstream. The Dutchman gained 0.4 seconds in the final sector, with telemetry showing a 10 km/h speed boost.

How did Hadjar's tow help Verstappen?

Hadjar, facing a 30-place grid penalty, dedicated his Q3 to aiding Verstappen. The Frenchman slowed before Turn 14, timing his exit from Turn 15 perfectly to let Verstappen draft closely. Hadjar then moved aside after Turn 17, allowing Verstappen to finish his lap.

The telemetry reveals Verstappen's speed jumped from 328 km/h to 335 km/h in the slipstream zone. Without Hadjar's help, Verstappen would have likely qualified seventh or eighth, trailing Oscar Piastri.

What does this mean for Verstappen's race?

Verstappen and Hadjar collected the most race pace data in FP2, though the red flag disrupted others. Verstappen trails Andrea Kimi Antonelli by 0.3 seconds on medium tires, but his duel with George Russell promises excitement.

Russell was slower in FP2, but past battles between the two suggest a tight race. Verstappen's qualifying advantage could prove decisive in Belgium's unpredictable conditions.