Red Bull Racing dominated the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, securing a one-two finish in a thrilling race that marked the end of the first half of the 2023 season. Max Verstappen, fresh from his victory in the Sprint race the day before, delivered a spectacular performance to claim the top spot on the podium. Despite starting in fifth place due to a grid penalty, Verstappen showcased his exceptional skills and overtook his competitors to secure the win.
Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, also had a strong race, starting second on the grid and finishing just 22 seconds behind Verstappen to take second place. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started on pole, completed the podium by finishing 32 seconds behind the winner.
The race saw plenty of action from the start. Perez managed to overtake Leclerc on the first lap, while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri made contact, leading to their retirement from the race. The collision caused damage to their cars, forcing Piastri out at the start and Sainz to retire around the midway point.
Verstappen capitalized on the clash between his competitors and quickly moved up to fourth place, trailing Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in third. On lap six, Verstappen successfully passed Hamilton, and just three laps later, he overtook Leclerc to secure second place. He then made a brilliant move on Perez on lap 16, using the DRS (Drag Reduction System) on the Kemmel straight to shoot past his teammate and take the lead. From that point on, Verstappen maintained his position, showcasing his skills as the reigning world champion.
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Hamilton, who managed to set the fastest lap of the race after changing to Medium tires on the penultimate lap, finished in fourth place. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso took fifth place, and Mercedes’ George Russell utilized a one-stop strategy to secure sixth place.
Following the race, Verstappen extended his lead in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship with 314 points. Perez currently sits in second place with 189 points, and Alonso is in third with 149 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull leads with 503 points, followed by Mercedes with 247 points and Aston Martin with 196 points.
Teams and drivers now have a three-week summer break before returning for the much-anticipated Dutch Grand Prix. The Belgian Grand Prix showcased the exceptional driving skills and competitiveness of the Formula 1 drivers, setting the stage for an exciting second half of the season.
Here are the full results from the 2023 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix:
1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
2) Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing +22.305 seconds
3) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +32.259 seconds
4) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz AMG +49.671 seconds
5) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +56.184 seconds
6) George Russell, Mercedes-Benz AMG +63.101 seconds
7) Lando Norris, McLaren +73.719 seconds
8) Esteban Ocon, Alpine +74.719 seconds
9) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +79.340 seconds
10) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri +80.221 seconds
11) Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri +83.084 seconds
12) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo +85.191 seconds
13) Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo +95.441 seconds
14) Alexander Albon, Williams +96.184 seconds
15) Kevin Magnussen, Haas +101.754 seconds
16) Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri +103.071 seconds
17) Logan Sargeant, Williams +104.476 seconds
18) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas +110.450 seconds
NC) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari – Did Not Finish
NC) Oscar Piastri, McLaren – Did Not Finish
The results highlight the skill and determination of the drivers, showcasing their ability to adapt to challenging race conditions and make strategic moves to secure their positions. The Belgian Grand Prix was a thrilling race that left fans eager for more excitement as the Formula 1 season progresses.
