BELGIUM: Starting from sixth on the grid due to a grid penalty, Max Verstappen unleashed the dominance of his RB19 to secure a comfortable victory at the Belgian Grand Prix. Verstappen’s triumph at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit marked his 10th win of the season and an impressive eighth consecutive victory.
Losing his pole position due to the penalty, Verstappen faced the daunting task of chasing down his teammate, Sergio Perez, who took the lead early on.
However, any speculation of Verstappen playing a supporting role to Perez was dispelled on lap 17 when he made a decisive move on the Kemmel Straight, leaving his teammate in his wake and seizing the lead.
As Verstappen charged ahead, a fierce battle unfolded behind him, with the field witnessing a flurry of action-packed passes and strategic tire choices. Hamilton, who pitted earlier for medium tires, had his share of challenges but managed to claw his way back into the race, securing a respectable fourth place and the fastest lap point.
The weather gods, too, seemed to have an interest in the race’s outcome, as rain suddenly made its presence felt.
The downpour added another dimension to the already thrilling contest, forcing teams to make crucial decisions about tire changes.
Verstappen managed the conditions expertly, while some of his rivals struggled to find the right setup. Norris, for instance, had a difficult first half of the race but came back strongly in the rain to secure a valuable seventh-place finish.
As the laps wound down, Verstappen’s engineer kept reminding him to manage his tires carefully, but the Dutch driver’s relentless hunger for victory was evident. He crossed the finish line with a commanding lead, leaving Perez in second place and Leclerc on the third step of the podium.
The race also witnessed impressive performances from Esteban Ocon, who made a late surge to snatch eighth place, and Yuki Tsunoda, who fought fiercely but had to settle for the final points-paying position.
For Red Bull Racing, the Belgian Grand Prix was a moment of triumph, securing their first 1-2 finish since the Miami Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Ferrari celebrated a much-needed podium result, showcasing their continued development and potential.
Max Verstappen’s dominance has firmly established him as the only contender for the World Championship title.
Also Read: Verstappen Dominates Qualifying, Leclerc Claims Pole for Belgian Grand Prix After Red Bull Penalty
