Isack Hadjar performed a brilliant recovery drive from the last row of the grid to sixth at the chequered flag during the 2026 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix.
Hadjar was consigned to start 44-lap race at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, from the back of the grid, after taking a heavy grid penalty for additional PU components.
That said, he proved a handy tool for team-mate Max Verstappen during the top 10 shootout, on Saturday, with his tow proving to be the decisive factor for the Dutchman to lock-out the front-row, on Sunday.
In the race, too, Hadjar was an incredible asset for the Milton-Keynes-based squad. He got off the line well, from 21st, and an early race Safety Car allowed the team to get him onto the Hards, after two rounds of pits stops, executing a stellar recovery drive to take the chequered flag in sixth.
“I was like, ‘Why did I take so many risks?’ Like, you should have told me,” Hadjar told media including Motorsport Week of the team’s aggressive but rather clever strategy.
“I’d have stayed last, you know. But obviously, we didn’t know there was going to be a safety car then; it was a bit frustrating, but it paid off.”
For the French-Algerian racing driver, his P6 result was indeed “frustrating” knowing full well that a ‘clean’ weekend would allow him to actually show the full potential of the RB22.
“Yeah, that’s the issue,” he continued.
“Frustrating, because I feel like if I just do the weekend without any penalties, I think we’re fighting for the podium, considering the pace.”
Isack Hadjar hails F1 Belgian GP drive as his “most complete” performance of 2026
Hadjar’s ascension into the second Red Bull seat was met with the same apprehension his predecessors had endured.
But rather than succumbing to the pressures of driving alongside Verstappen, the 21-year-old has matched the four-time F1 World Champion, and on occasion even excelled.
When asked if was surprised by his performance, he promptly declined, calling it his “most complete” drive of 2026, so far.
“It’s not… I mean, surprising in a way that I didn’t believe a track like this would suit us, but not really surprised in terms of my own performance and delivering a strong race pace finally with clean air,” he added.
“Silverstone was super frustrating for me, not being able to show the pace, and I was a bit in no man’s land. Now, I think this was the most complete one I had, so keep pushing.”
Hadjar would want to take this run of form into the Hungarian GP, this weekend, as a maiden Red Bull F1 podium before the summer break kicks in seems ripe for the taking.
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