F1: Max Verstappen Wins Belgian GP From P6

Max Verstappen, starting from P6 due to a 5-place grid penalty for a gearbox change, clinched a rather methodical victory at the Belgian Grand Prix. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who kick-started the race from pole position, was swiftly overtaken by Sergio Perez in the sister Red Bull. However, the real spectacle was Verstappen's blitzkrieg, as he stormed past his competitors, including his teammate, to establish a staggering 20-second lead within just 20 laps.

This triumph marks Verstappen's 8th consecutive race win. Should he emerge victorious in his home race at Zandvoort, he will match Sebastian Vettel's record for the most consecutive race wins. This is also his 10th win of the season, with the remaining two victories credited to his teammate.

Leclerc's performance was commendable, as the Ferrari held its ground against the Mercedes of the 7-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, who managed to clock the fastest lap of the race. Trailing Hamilton was his long-standing rival, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin. Despite a better race result for the Spaniard, it's evident that Aston Martin has lost its edge in race pace compared to its competitors.

The race was marred by an early collision between Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz Jr at the bus stop chicane. Piastri's McLaren was forced to retire immediately, while Sainz limped along in a damaged Ferrari for over half the race, eventually retiring.

George Russell, in the second Mercedes, secured P6, followed by an impressive Lando Norris in the lone McLaren. Esteban Ocon managed P8 for Alpine, capping off a tumultuous weekend for the team that saw the departure of its team principal and sporting director.

Yuki Tsunoda secured P10 for AlphaTauri, marking only the second point-scoring race for the team this season. He managed to finish ahead of Daniel Ricciardo, who could only muster P16. Lance Stroll, in the other Aston Martin, secured P9.

Pierre Gasly, in the second Alpine, finished just outside the points in P11, ahead of the Alfa Romeo duo of Valterri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou. Alex Albon, in his Williams, was overtaking competitors with aplomb but could only secure P14, ahead of his teammate Logan Sargent. Kevin Magnussen managed P15 in the Haas, while his teammate Nico Hulkenberg finished P18.

Result

1. Max VERSTAPPEN Red Bull Racing

2. Sergio PEREZ Red Bull Racing +22.305

3. Charles LECLERC Ferrari +32.259

4. Lewis HAMILTON Mercedes +49.671

5. Fernando ALONSO Aston Martin +56.184

6. George RUSSELL Mercedes +63.101

7. Lando NORRIS McLaren +73.719

8. Esteban OCON Alpine +74.719

9. Lance STROLL Aston Martin +79.340

10. Yuki TSUNODA AlphaTauri +80.221

11. Pierre GASLY Alpine +83.084

12. Valtteri BOTTAS Alfa Romeo +85.191

13. Guanyu ZHOU Alfa Romeo +95.509

14. Alexander ALBON Williams +96.188

15. Kevin MAGNUSSEN Haas F1 Team +101.583

16. Daniel RICCIARDO AlphaTauri +102.978

17. Logan SARGEANT Williams +104.241

18. Nico HULKENBERG Haas F1 Team +109.844

Did Not Finish

Carlos Sainz Ferrari – lap 23 – crash damage Oscar Piastri McLaren – lap 1 – crash damage