Verstappen obviously45th career victory, the 10th of the season and the 8th in a row, Max Verstappen crushes this year 2023. Sixth on the grid, following a change of gearbox, the Dutchman was in the lead from the 17th lap, after overtaking on Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez. His teammate, who owns the same car, took a lesson on Sunday, finishing more than 20 seconds behind the future triple world champion. Nothing stops Verstappen who in three weeks, after the truce, will find his audience in Zandvoort.
Leclerc finds the podiumAfter Azerbaijan and Austria, Charles Leclerc climbs on the podium in Belgium. Starting on pole, the Monegasque gave the best of himself on Sunday but the Ferrari could not fight against the two Red Bulls. Forced to save fuel at the end of the race, Leclerc still managed to keep Lewis Hamilton behind him to keep a podium which is good for number 16.
Ocon, crazy end of the raceUp to the 25th lap, Esteban Ocon had a rather neutral race but his second stop changed everything. Coming out twelfth with tenders, the Norman got the most out of his Alpine over the last twenty laps. He successively overtook Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Yuki Tsunoda and Lance Stroll to claim a fine eighth place.
Alonso, solid 5th Aston Martin has been treading water for a few races because the British firm is waiting for changes for the Dutch GP but Fernando Alonso pulled out of the game on Sunday with a fine fifth place when he started ninth. A solid race from the Spaniard who pocketed ten points and retained his third place in the drivers’ championship.
Sainz took too many risksFourth on the grid, Carlos Sainz had a good card to play this Sunday but the Spaniard missed his start. He was surprised by Lewis Hamilton, locked his wheels and swerved to the inside of turn one but turn 1 at Spa is a hairpin and Oscar Piastri was on the inside. Sainz then totally ignored the Aussie, sandwiched between the wall and the Ferrari, and forced the McLaren to retire. The Iberian, he tried to continue but his car was too damaged to hope for anything and halfway through the race, it was abandoned. Points lost again.
Ricciardo disappointingSecond race for Daniel Ricciardo and the first questions arise. The Australian was largely dominated all weekend by Yuki Tsunoda, tenth on Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps. He went through the weekend like a ghost and finally finished 16th, more than twenty seconds behind his teammate. Disappointing.