In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Max Verstappen of Red Bull overcame a grid penalty to secure his eighth consecutive victory at the Belgian Grand Prix. With teammate Sergio Perez joining him on the podium, Red Bull celebrated a well-deserved 1-2 finish, solidifying their dominance in the Formula 1 championship. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari claimed the third spot, completing the podium.
Verstappen’s P6 Start and a Stellar Performance
Despite starting from the sixth position on the grid due to a five-place penalty for new gearbox components, Verstappen demonstrated why he is the reigning world champion. Swiftly picking off his rivals, he closed the gap to Perez after a strong out-lap following his first pit stop. However, on Lap 17, Verstappen seized the lead from his teammate and never looked back, crossing the finish line with an impressive 22.305-second advantage. With this triumph, Verstappen is now eyeing Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive race wins.
Red Bull ‘s Unbeaten Streak
Verstappen’s victory secured Red Bull’s undefeated status heading into the F1 summer break. With Perez finishing second, the team celebrated their first 1-2 finish since the Miami GP in May, further cementing their position as formidable contenders in the championship.
Leclerc’s Standout Performance
Charles Leclerc, who started from pole position, skillfully kept Lewis Hamilton at bay, securing the final spot on the podium. Despite Hamilton setting the fastest lap after a last-minute pit stop, Leclerc’s consistent performance earned him a well-deserved podium finish.
Aston Martin Shines, Norris Fights Back
Aston Martin showcased a strong performance with both Fernando Alonso finishing in P5 and Lance Stroll in P9. Lando Norris, initially struggling at the back of the pack due to steering problems, made a remarkable comeback after switching to soft tires, finishing in P7. George Russell of Mercedes secured the P6 position, just behind Norris.
Points Scorers and Unfortunate Incidents
Esteban Ocon of Alpine finished in P8, and Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri secured the final point with his P10 finish. Unfortunately, Oscar Piastri’s chance at a podium was cut short due to damage sustained during a first-corner clash with Carlos Sainz. Sainz continued despite the damage but eventually retired from the race.
Verstappen’s Commanding Championship Lead
With this victory, Verstappen enters the summer break with a commanding 125-point lead over Perez in the championship standings. Alonso holds on to third place, 40 points behind Perez, while Hamilton trails closely in fourth place, just one point behind Alonso.
| POS | NO | DRIVER | CAR | LAPS | TIME/RETIRED | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Max Verstappen | RED BULL RACING HONDA RBPT | 44 | 1:22:30.450 | 25 |
| 2 | 11 | Sergio Perez | RED BULL RACING HONDA RBPT | 44 | +22.305s | 18 |
| 3 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | FERRARI | 44 | +32.259s | 15 |
| 4 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | MERCEDES | 44 | +49.671s | 13 |
| 5 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO MERCEDES | 44 | +56.184s | 10 |
| 6 | 63 | George Russell | MERCEDES | 44 | +63.101s | 8 |
| 7 | 4 | Lando Norris | MCLAREN MERCEDES | 44 | +73.719s | 6 |
| 8 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | ALPINE RENAULT | 44 | +74.719s | 4 |
| 9 | 18 | Lance Stroll | ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO MERCEDES | 44 | +79.340s | 2 |
| 10 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | ALPHATAURI HONDA RBPT | 44 | +80.221s | 1 |
| 11 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | ALPINE RENAULT | 44 | +83.084s | 0 |
| 12 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | ALFA ROMEO FERRARI | 44 | +85.191s | 0 |
| 13 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | ALFA ROMEO FERRARI | 44 | +95.441s | 0 |
| 14 | 23 | Alexander Albon | WILLIAMS MERCEDES | 44 | +96.184s | 0 |
| 15 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | HAAS FERRARI | 44 | +101.754s | 0 |
| 16 | 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | ALPHATAURI HONDA RBPT | 44 | +103.071s | 0 |
| 17 | 2 | Logan Sargeant | WILLIAMS MERCEDES | 44 | +104.476s | 0 |
| 18 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | HAAS FERRARI | 44 | +110.450s | 0 |
| NC | 55 | Carlos Sainz | FERRARI | 23 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 81 | Oscar Piastri | MCLAREN MERCEDES | 0 | DNF | 0 |
Looking Forward to Zandvoort
After a four-week break, the championship will resume with Verstappen’s home race at Zandvoort, promising more high-speed thrills and intense battles on the track. As the drivers and teams prepare for the upcoming races, the excitement and anticipation continue to build in the world of Formula 1. Stay tuned for more exhilarating action in the coming weeks!