Max Verstappen’s impressive win at Spa-Francorchamps extended his championship lead to 93 points on Sunday. This was the reigning world champion’s ninth win this season and the 29th in the driver’s career.
The 24-year-old Dutchman, who started from 14th place on the grid after being penalised for an engine change, won over his Mexican teammate Sergio Perez, who started second followed by Carlos Sainz who added another podium for Scuderia Ferrari this season.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton had to retire on the first lap after his car collided with that of Spain’s Fernando Alonso.
Verstappen praised the entire Red Bull team after the race and looked ahead to his home race, the Dutch Grand Prix, which takes place next week.
“It was a really hectic first lap, to stay out of trouble, but after the safety car, the car was on rails,” Verstappen said.
“After that, once we were in the lead, it was just about just managing everything. The whole weekend was incredible.
“It’s been a weekend I couldn’t imagine, I’m going to enjoy today and then next week, let’s see what we can do.” Verstappen added.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner admitted Verstappen’s win was one of Red Bull’s “greatest ever performances” in F1 since 2005.
“Since winning the championship last year, Max has taken another step forward. He has liberated himself in many ways and he now drives at an incredible level,” Horner said.
“Max was simply above the rest of the competition and not just in the race, but all weekend,” he added.
The Belgian GP marks the return to the second half of the season after the break for the holidays and the competitions already follow next weekend. The Dutch GP disputes take place between the 2nd and 4th of September.
