The first grand prix back following the summer break saw fans enjoy a real race at Spa-Francorchamps once again following last year’s wash-out.
With over a third of the field taking grid penalties, some drivers fought against adversity while others took advantage of an opportunity to start much further ahead than they normally would.
Here are the RaceFans’ driver ratings for the Belgian Grand Prix:
Lewis Hamilton – 4
Qualified: 7th (+1 place ahead of team mate)
-0.273s quicker than team mate in Q3
Finished: Retired (Crash damage – L1)
- Qualified seventh ahead of team mate but was mystified by lack of pace relative to rivals ahead
- Started fourth on the grid and beat Perez off the line to take third behind Alonso
- Tried to overtake Alonso around the outside of Les Combes but did not leave enough space, resulting in contact
- Fortunate not to be penalised by stewards but damage from collision left his car leaking fluid, leading to his retirement
George Russell – 6
Qualified: 8th (-1 place behind team mate)
+0.273s slower than team mate in Q3
Finished: 4th
- Disappointed to have qualified eighth, two tenths slower than team mate
- Started from fifth on the grid and dived inside of Perez into turn one to take fourth, before losing it at Les Combes
- Gained third after Alonso and Hamilton clashed and ran there until passed by Verstappen
- Battled with Leclerc after pitting for mediums, moving back up to fourth
- Remained in fourth over the rest of the race, gradually closing on Sainz but unable to catch him
Max Verstappen – 9
Qualified: 1st (+2 places ahead of team mate)
-0.797s quicker than team mate in Q3
Finished: Winner (+1 place ahead of team mate)
- Quickest by eight tenths on Friday
- Hit with ‘back of the grid’ penalty after exceeding his allocation of power unit components, as several other drivers did
- Set fastest time in Q3 by sixth tenths, earning him 14th on the grid with Tsunoda’s penalty
- Passed Bottas and Latifi off the line, dived inside Magnussen at turn one then passed Stroll at Bus Stop
- Sat in eighth behind Safety Car, then passed Albon, Ricciardo, Vettel, Alonso and Russell over four laps to move into third
- Passed team mate on lap 12, then overtook Sainz for lead on lap 18
- Comfortably pulled ahead of team mate over remaining laps, taking fastest lap on fresh mediums
- Won by almost 18 seconds ahead of team mate despite starting 12 grid slots behind
Sergio Perez – 5
Qualified:…
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