F1, the usual Verstappen also wins in Belgium. Podium for Leclerc, Sainz out
Max Verstappen wins F1 Belgian GP
The script repeats itself for the eighth consecutive Gp: Max Verstappen also wins the Belgian Grand Prix (after winning the Sprint Race on Saturday) and moves ever closer to his third world title.
On the podium finish his teammate Sergio Perez, author of an excellent start, and Charles Leclerc, who despite difficulties in the very early stages of the race managed to give Ferrari a podium after two disappointing races in Great Britain and Hungary, to say the least. Closing out the top 5 were Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), who was able to snatch the bonus point for the best lap from Verstappen on the very last lap, and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin).
It was enough for Verstappen, who started from sixth position due to a five-box grid penalty caused by a gearbox change, to attack his direct rivals in the first part of the race: after taking the lead on lap 17 to the detriment of his teammate Perez, the Dutchman never let go of it despite a shudder on lap 21 (smearing at full speed at Eau Rouge) and fears of rain, which would eventually lightly affect the race at its half, without conditioning it in any way.
At Ferrari, Leclerc’s good performance was contrasted by the retirement of Carlos Sainz, who was effectively penalized by a contact with Oscar Piastri’s McLaren at the start that, causing him lateral damage and a consequent loss of aerodynamic load, made his Rossa too slow to compete on the track. Sainz and Piastri are also the only two retired drivers this Sunday.
