Red Bull Racing’s qualifying strategy at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix featured a notable use of tow tactics between teammates Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Verstappen secured second place on the grid, benefiting from a slipstream provided by Hadjar during the crucial Q3 session.
Hadjar, who was set to start from the back of the grid due to multiple power unit component changes, deliberately eased off in key sectors to give Verstappen a tow. Verstappen acknowledged that this assistance was significant in achieving his P2 qualifying position, suggesting that without Hadjar’s slipstream, he might have qualified around sixth place. Meanwhile, Hadjar chose not to set a lap time in Q3, focusing instead on supporting Verstappen’s effort.
The tow strategy underlined the team’s approach to maximize their front-row presence despite Hadjar’s compromised starting position. Verstappen ended up just over three-tenths of a second behind polesitter Kimi Antonelli, with a tight gap separating several drivers from second to seventh on the grid.
Verstappen expressed satisfaction with the car’s performance throughout the weekend and praised the team’s execution in securing a front-row start. Hadjar, despite starting at the back, felt that the decision to prioritize Verstappen’s qualifying position was the right one for the team.
This qualifying session highlighted how strategic cooperation between teammates can play a role in optimizing grid positions, especially when one driver faces setbacks such as penalties or component changes. Red Bull’s use of tow tactics in Belgium demonstrated a calculated effort to leverage every advantage available within the rules.
While the tow helped Verstappen’s qualifying result, both drivers maintained a clear distinction between qualifying strategy and race outcome, avoiding assumptions about how this would translate into race performance. The reflections from Verstappen and Hadjar provide insight into the tactical considerations teams employ during qualifying sessions in the Formula 1® championship.