Isack Hadjar delivered a notable performance at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, impressing Red Bull Racing with a strong recovery drive from near the back of the grid. Starting 21st due to a 30-place grid penalty after qualifying in Q3, Hadjar managed to climb through the field and finish in sixth place, showcasing both pace and racecraft.
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal, described Hadjar’s race at Spa-Francorchamps as his best with the team so far. Mekies highlighted the driver’s consistent improvement in speed over recent events and praised his race pace, which ranked among the top three on the day. Hadjar’s fastest lap was the third quickest of the race, underlining his competitive performance despite the challenging starting position.
The team opted to replace power unit elements at Spa, aiming to take advantage of the circuit’s overtaking opportunities. Hadjar’s race strategy involved an early two-stop tyre plan designed to allow a long final stint on hard tyres. Although this required a third stop, the approach still resulted in a strong finish. The Belgian Grand Prix saw Hadjar overtake several cars, including Lando Norris towards the end of the race, further demonstrating his ability to navigate through traffic effectively.
Max Verstappen also had a positive race, finishing third and contributing valuable points for Red Bull Racing. Mekies acknowledged that despite these encouraging results, the team continues to face challenges on energy-demanding circuits like Spa. Efforts remain focused on improving performance and energy management for upcoming races, including the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hadjar’s performance at Spa-Francorchamps reflects a clear upward trend in his adaptation to the team and the car. Mekies’ comments underline the significance of this race in the context of Hadjar’s development within Red Bull Racing. The strategic choices and the driver’s ability to recover from a difficult starting position highlight both the complexity of race management and the potential within the Red Bull driver lineup.
This assessment from Mekies offers insight into the team’s current status and the areas they are targeting for progress. Hadjar’s race at the Belgian Grand Prix stands as a strong example of resilience and pace, marking a noteworthy moment in his tenure with Red Bull Racing.
