2023-07-29 20:04:00
Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull), leader of the Formula 1 World Championship, won the sprint race of the Belgian Grand Prix this Saturday (29), in a race that started 30 minutes late due to rain at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit .
Verstappen, who started first, came ahead of Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Alpine), who completed the podium.
The race started with all cars on wet tires and behind the safety car for five laps of the track reconnaissance, with all cars on wet tyres, before a flying start.
After the safety car came out, half of the drivers went to the pits to fit intermediate tires, as the track was drying. Verstappen, who was leading, opted for the switch on the next lap.
The strategy could have been costly for the Dutchman, who rejoined the track behind Piastri.
Shortly after, after the safety car came into play again due to the accident of Spaniard Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Verstappen quickly caught up and passed Piastri to retake the lead of the race.
“We lost a position, but we knew we were fast,” said the two-time world champion. “It was a safer decision so staying on track didn’t bother me.”
“We did our best. We led a few laps but we were no match for Max,” said Piastri, who at this sprint race in Belgium achieved his best result in his first season in F1.
– Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix sprint race standings:
1. Max Verstappen Bull) 24:59.433
2. Oscar Piastri 25:06.110
3. Pierre Gasly 25:10.166
4. Carlos Sainz 25:12.081
5. Charles Leclerc 25:14.449
6. Lando Norris 25:15.485
7. Lewis Hamilton 25:16.190*
8. George Russell 25:16.255
9. Esteban Ocon 25:21.843
10. Daniel Ricciardo Bull) 25:22.239
11. Lance Stroll Martin-Mercedes) 25:24.440
12.Alexander Albon 25:25.736
13. Valtteri Bottas Romeo-Ferrari ) 25:26.439
14. Kevin Magnussen 25:32.419
15. Zhou Guanyu Romeo-Ferrari ) 25:35.775
16. Logan Sargeant 25:37.004**
17. Nico Hülkenberg 25:37.260
18. Yuki Tsunoda (Bull) 25:38.700
* Suspension of 5 seconds for causing a collision with Sergio Pérez.
** Penalty 5 seconds for speeding in the pit lane.
Dropouts:
Fernando Alonso Martin-Mercedes)
Sergio Pérez Bull)
– Formula 1 World Ranking:
. Drivers Championship:
1. Max Verstappen (HOL) 289 pts
2. Sergio Perez (MEX) 171
3. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 139
4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 135
5. Carlos Sainz (ESP) 92
6. George Russell (GBR) 91
7. Charles Leclerc (MON) 84
8. Lando Norris (GBR) 63
9. Lance Stroll (CAN) 45
10. Oscar Piastri (AUS) 34
11. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 31
12. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 22
13. Alexander Albon (TAI) 11
14. Nico Hülkenberg (ALE) 9
15. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 5
16. Zhou Guanyu (CHN) 4
17. Yuki Tsunoda (JAP) 2
18. Kevin Magnussen (DIN) 2
19. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 0
20. Logan Sargeant (USA) 0
21. Nyck de Vries (HOL) 0
. Constructors Championship:
1. Red Bull 460 pts
2. Mercedes 226
3. Aston Martin-Mercedes 184
4. Ferrari 176
5. McLaren-Mercedes 97
6. Alpine-Renault 53
7. Williams-Mercedes 11
8. Haas-Ferrari 11
9. Alfa Romeo-Ferrari 9
10. AlphaTauri-Red Bull 2
#Max #Verstappen #wins #sprint #race #Belgian