Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar defied expectations at the Belgian Grand Prix, slipping into sixth place after an unconventional double pit stop.
Unorthodox Start From the Back
Hadjar began the race from the rear of the grid, a penalty imposed after the Frenchman’s fifth power‑unit of the season. He began on hard tyres, climbing through two cars to 18th before George Russell’s first‑lap crash triggered the safety car.
Red Bull opted for a pit stop to medium‑compound tyres, satisfying the two‑compound rule. With only a single stint planned, the team kept the door open for later flexibility.
Strategic Pit Decisions Under Safety Car
Under the safety car, Hadjar’s team pitted again on lap two, returning to hard rubber late in the race. “We wanted options later,” the driver explained on Canal+, noting the move was “counterintuitive” but aimed at sustaining pace on a worn track.
Hadjar admitted the plan was confusing at first, saying “I was a bit slow in the head.” He later reflected that the unexpected safety‑car move had paid off despite initial frustration.
Pace and Positioning in the Second Half
After the second stop, Hadjar ran a one‑stop race and clocked a blistering average of 1 minute 49.727 seconds over 10 laps—slightly faster than Verstappen’s 1 minute 49.809. He vaulted into the top ten by lap 15 and held off Lando Norris, who began from 13th and made a single pit stop at lap 30.
The Frenchman’s performance kept him a lap ahead of front‑row rivals, finishing the event in sixth overall.
Team Praise and Season Context
Red Bull chief Laurent Mekies hailed the outing as “his best race with us” and praised the “top‑three pace” displayed. He highlighted the strategic choice as a “slightly unusual” but effective one, noting the VSC timing allowed Hadjar to beat Norris.
Hadjar now sits at 60 points for the season, twice the tally Red Bull’s second‑car drivers achieved the previous year. The gain underscores the driver’s growing influence within the team.
Hadjar’s gamble demonstrates how calculated strategy can tip the razor‑thin balance that separates midfield contenders from the front runners.
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