F1 Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Race results as Max Verstappen wins again at Spa-Francorchamps
Max Verstappen’s invincible streak continued at the Belgian Grand Prix with another crushing win.
The double world champion started sixth but took the lead at Spa Francorchamps on lap 17 of 44 before taking the chequered flag 22.3 seconds clear of his forlorn Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.
Verstappen’s triumph was his eighth in a row – one shy of Sebastian Vettel’s record – and 10th from the 12 rounds so far. He leads Perez by a mammoth 125 points in the standings – the equivalent of five victories – heading into Formula 1’s summer break.
Pole-sitter Charles Leclerc took the final spot on the podium with Lewis Hamilton, who denied Verstappen a bonus point by setting the fastest lap, fourth.
Follow live reaction from the Belgian Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX - UPDATES
Max Verstappen wins the Belgian Grand Prix; Perez 2nd; Leclerc 3rd
Click HERE for the top-10 at Spa-Francorchamps
Lap 17/44: Max Verstappen overtakes Sergio Perez for the race lead
Lap 2/44: Oscar Piastri forced to retire after collision with Carlos Sainz at turn 1
Lap 1/44: Sergio Perez overtakes Charles Leclerc for the lead
Verstappen won the Saturday sprint race; Piastri 2nd; Gasly 3rd
‘We should not be deterred’: Lewis Hamilton unhappy with stewards after penalty
Carlos Sainz interview: ‘All of us at Ferrari expected more – we haven’t done the best job’
Max Verstappen extends invincible streak with victory at Belgian Grand Prix
16:23 , Kieran Jackson
Race report
Max Verstappen’s invincible streak continued at the Belgian Grand Prix with another crushing win.
The double world champion started sixth but took the lead at Spa Francorchamps on lap 17 of 44 before taking the chequered flag 22.3 seconds clear of his forlorn Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.
Verstappen’s triumph was his eighth in a row – one shy of Sebastian Vettel’s record – and 10th from the 12 rounds so far.
He leads Perez by a mammoth 125 points in the standings – the equivalent of five victories – heading into Formula 1’s summer break.
Full report below:
Max Verstappen extends invincible streak with victory at Belgian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton after finshing fourth:
16:14 , Kieran Jackson
“It was kind of a non-eventful race, not much going on. Wasn’t able to keep up with the cars ahead of me. We had big bouncing this weekend, back to the bouncing like last year.
On the bouncing: “They don’t know. To me it is a concern. We’ll work through the data this week and try and work out what to do for the next race. I know what I want, I’m praying for it and just waiting for the day we get it.”
Time for the podium at Spa-Francorchamps:
16:03 , Kieran Jackson
The familiar combination of the Dutch and Austrian national anthem for another Max Verstappen and Red Bull victory!
And a safe trophy for the Dutchman too, given Lando Norris is absent from the podium!
Max Verstappen after winning the Belgian GP:
15:54 , Kieran Jackson
“It’s a new spot, P6! I knew we had a great car, it was about surviving turn one. It was getting really tight but I stayed out of that. We made the right overtakes. Again, really enjoyable.
“It was tricky in those rainy laps. Had a sideways moment at Eau Rouge. Certainly a corner where you don’t want that to happen.”
"It was tricky in those laps when it was raining" 🌧
Max Verstappen reacts to his eighth win in a row this season 👇 pic.twitter.com/fAsuzkF0aO— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 30, 2023
Sergio Perez after his P2 finish:
15:49 , Kieran Jackson
“It was a good race for the team. We had a great start, managed to get through Charles which was one of the targets. I was doing my own race, Max came through in the second stint pretty fast, nothing I could’ve done there. About bringing it home safely in the car.
“I really look to not leave the podium from now until the end of the year. It’s been a bit of a rough patch but we scored some great points for the team.”
"it was just about making sure we brought it home safely" 🤝
Checo on his P2 and another solid result for Red Bull 👇 pic.twitter.com/oDyFRbhyyN— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 30, 2023
Charles Leclerc after finishing third:
15:42 , Kieran Jackson
“We’ve had quite a positive weekend in terms of pace. Race went well on my side, a shame for Carlos. When you look at the Red Bull, we still have a lot of work to do.
“They are quite far ahead still.”
"I think we had a good pace" 💪
Charles Leclerc reflects on his P3 at the Belgian Grand Prix 👇 pic.twitter.com/1C7JSvT9gM— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 30, 2023
TOP-10 AT THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX:
15:35 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Sergio Perez
3) Charles Leclerc
4) Lewis Hamilton (+1, fastest lap)
5) Fernando Alosno
6) George Russell
7) Lando Norris
8) Esteban Ocon
9) Lance Stroll
10) Yuki Tsunoda
Max Verstappen wins the Belgian Grand Prix
15:28 , Kieran Jackson
Another mightily impressive performance from Max Verstappen - he wins at Spa for the third year running!
It’s a Red Bull one-two, with Sergio Perez in second. Charles Leclerc also, in the end, comfortably takes third place for an important podium for Ferrari!
And Lewis Hamilton does set the fastest lap right at the end as he claims fourth place!
Max Verstappen on his way to another victory (Lap 44/44)
15:27 , Kieran Jackson
The flares are already being let off in the stands as Max Verstappen starts his final lap...
Red Bull heading to 13th F1 win in a row...
Lewis Hamilton pits for the fastest lap (Lap 43/44)
15:25 , Kieran Jackson
With a pit-stop cushion to Fernando Alonso behind and Charles Leclerc seemingly not catchable, Mercedes pit Lewis Hamilton onto new mediums to get the fastest lap!
He’ll have one opportunity around Spa-Francorchamps...
Max Verstappen cruising to another win (Lap 42/44)
15:24 , Kieran Jackson
Three laps to go and Max Verstappen is 19 seconds clear of Sergio Perez - and he holds the fastest lap!
Charles Leclerc looked fairly comfortable in third but Lewis Hamilton is closing in. The gap is now 2.2 seconds...
5-10: Alonso, Russell, Norris, Ocon, Stroll, Tsunoda
George Russell likely to do a one-stop (Lap 39/44)
15:18 , Kieran Jackson
The Mercedes of George Russell is looking to make a set of softs for essentially half the race! He’s currently in P6...
Meanwhile, Esteban Ocon pulls a brilliant move on Yuki Tsunoda at the chicane after the Kemmel Straight for ninth place!
Can Tsunoda’s AlphaTauri hold on to a point now in 10th? Pierre Gasly is two seconds down the road.
Top-10: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, Norris, Stroll, Ocon, Tsunoda
Max Verstappen gets another telling off! (LAp 34/44)
15:10 , Kieran Jackson
Lambiase: “This tyre had reasonable deg in the first stint. I’d ask you to use your head a bit more.”
Verstappen: “I could also push and we could do some pit stop training?!”
Lambiase: “No, not this time.”
Max Verstappen’s gap to Sergio Perez is now 13 seconds!
"I'd ask you to use your head a bit more" 📻
GP passing on his advice to Max 👇 pic.twitter.com/5NNcODC1uJ— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 30, 2023
Max Verstappen opts not to reply to his engineer! (Lap 33/44)
15:06 , Kieran Jackson
“You used a lot of the tyre on that out lap Max, not sure that was sensible,” Max Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase says.
No reply from Verstappen seemingly. Instead he does his talking on the track, as he sets the fastest lap of the race!
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez both pit (Lap 31/44)
15:03 , Kieran Jackson
The front two pit onto soft tyres - both smooth stops - and Max Verstappen’s lead to Sergio Perez is 9.3 seconds.
Lewis Hamilton is closing the gap to Charles Leclerc in third - the gap currently 2.3 secs.
5-10: Alonso, Russell, Norris, Stroll, Tsunoda, Ocon
Lewis Hamilton pits (Lap 28/44)
14:57 , Kieran Jackson
And it’s soft tyres for Lewis Hamilton, who was complaining about his mediums!
A 2.7 second stop, and he’s out in fifth place - three seconds behind the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso.
Top-10: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc, Alonso, Hamilton, Russell, Norris, Stroll, Tsunoda, Albon
Carlos Sainz retires (Lap 25/44)
14:51 , Kieran Jackson
This was an inevitability!
Carlos Sainz was trundling at the back of the field after the damage to his sidepod - and Ferrari have finally retired the car.
A disappointing end to the weekend for the Spaniard.
Rain has stopped and track is drying up (Lap 24/44)
14:49 , Kieran Jackson
Looks like something of a false alarm at Spa! The rain was brief and not heavy enough to impact the track conditions.
No inters will be needed for the time being...
George Russell pits (Lap 23/44)
14:48 , Kieran Jackson
George Russell dives into the pits for his first stop - and it’s a set of soft tyres for the Mercedes!
He’s now all the way down in P16.
Top-10: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Tsunoda, Gasly, Albon, Ocon, Magnussen
Max Verstappen saying rain is heavy now (Lap 22/44)
14:45 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen is 4.1 seconds clear of Sergio Perez but he’s not his usual comfortable self!
“Rain is getting heavy now,” he says.
However, no one has dived into the pit lane yet - and it’s not actually that heavy so far!
Rain is on the horizon (Lap 18/44)
14:39 , Kieran Jackson
It’s started!
The rain is slowly but surely falling at Spa! This will liven the race up! Slow intensity though...
However, Sergio Perez is already 2.3 seconds behind Max Verstappen...
Max Verstappen takes the lead (Lap 17/44)
14:37 , Kieran Jackson
Mr inevitable does it again! Max Verstappen so much cleaner heading up Eau Rouge, and he effortlessly glides by Sergio Perez down the Kemmel Straight!
Verstappen takes the lead of the race!
3-10: Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, Stroll, Gasly, Tsunoda, Ocon
Carlos Sainz is dead last in P19. But the rain is coming in five minutes!
POV: You're on board with Max Verstappen as he takes the lead of the Belgian Grand Prix! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/X5xfUyvRE6
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 30, 2023
Fernando Alonso overtakes George Russell (Lap 16/44)
14:34 , Kieran Jackson
Fernando Alonso takes sixth spot from George Russell at the bus stop chicane!
And Max Verstappen is now within DRS range of Sergio Perez in front...
Max Verstappen pits (Lap 15/44)
14:32 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen does dive into the pit lane - a 2.5 second stop - and he’s back out behind Sergio Perez by 2.2 secs.
Rain is expected in 10 minutes... which could make it exciting!
Sergio Perez pits (Lap 14/44)
14:31 , Kieran Jackson
Sergio Perez comes in and it’s a slow-ish stop, 3.2 seconds!
Max Verstappen takes the lead of the Belgian Grand Prix! And he’s 16 seconds ahead of his Red Bull team-mate who is second.
Verstappen having his usual jousting with his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase over team radio!
Will Verstappen come in straight away now?
Lewis Hamilton pits (Lap 13/44)
14:29 , Kieran Jackson
The Mercedes pits and comes back out still in fourth place - a quick 2.7sec stop, and onto the medium tyres.
Max Verstappen has closed the gap to Sergio Perez to 2.4 secs...
Fernando Alonso overtakes Nico Hulkenberg (Lap 12/44)
14:28 , Kieran Jackson
Credit to Nico Hulkenberg - he’s got himself up to P9 after starting in the pit lane, but he’s just lost a position to Fernando Alonso.
Carlos Sainz pits (Lap 9/44)
14:22 , Kieran Jackson
The damage in Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari is considerable - his sidepod is completely butchered!
He’s dropped all the way to P17 after a pit stop. Frankly, I’m surprised they haven’t retired the car...
Max Verstappen storms around the outside of Charles Leclerc (Lap 9/44)
14:21 , Kieran Jackson
Once again, Max Verstappen gets it done right at the end of the Kemmel Straight!
DRS. Slipstream. Straight-line speed. All in Verstappen’s favour, as he cruises around the outside of Charles Leclerc and he’s up to second!
Next? His team-mate Sergio Perez, three seconds down the road.
"That was supreme confidence and control to take second place" 🎙
A brilliant move from Max Verstappen on Charles Leclerc 👇 pic.twitter.com/WyOpPtqvqJ— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 30, 2023
Lando Norris pits (Lap 8/44)
14:19 , Kieran Jackson
It’s simply been a horror start for McLaren!
Oscar Piastri is out and Lando Norris has pitted early, off his mediums and onto hards - but now down to P17!
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen is just getting in the decisive DRS range of Charles Leclerc!
Top-10: Perez, Leclerc, Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Tsunoda, Stroll, Russell, Sargeant, Gasly
Max Verstappen overtakes Lewis Hamilton (Lap 6/44)
14:15 , Kieran Jackson
It was inevitable! Max Verstappen leaves it late down the Kemmel Straight but simply has too much speed for the sitting duck of Lewis Hamilton!
Hamilton: “Ferrari has been off at turn 9 every lap” Lewis already eyeing track limit penalties!
But he’s down to P4!
Carlos Sainz dropping down the order (Lap 3/44)
14:12 , Kieran Jackson
Carlos Sainz has 5% aero balance damage - and he loses fifth place to Fernando Alonso down the Kemmel Straight!
Interestingly, Max Verstappen yet to overtake Lewis Hamilton though he is right on his gearbox!
Dream start for Sergio Perez though - he’s storming out in front and his lead is already 2.2 secs to Charles Leclerc!
The damage to Carlos Sainz's sidepod 😲 pic.twitter.com/oYRDRjoqZq
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 30, 2023
Oscar Piastri is out! (Lap 2/44)
14:09 , Kieran Jackson
It’s all over for the man who finished second place in the sprint race - Oscar Piastri has stopped out on track in sector two!
Piastri sustained his damage at turn 1 after being squeezed against the wall by Carlos Sainz (who also has damage!)
A nightmare for the rookie Australian in the McLaren!
Top-10: Perez, Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Sainz, Alonso, Tsunoda, Norris, Albon, Stroll
George Russell has dropped three places to P11!
Sergio Perez takes the lead down the Kemmel Straight (Lap 1/44)
14:06 , Kieran Jackson
It’s lights out and Charles Leclerc keeps the lead around turn 1 - but then Sergio Perez has too much pace and is through down the Kemmel Straight!
Lewis Hamilton is up to third and Max Verstappen is already up to fourth - with Oscar Piastri dropping right down the order after sustaining damage at turn 1!
Perez grabs the initiative straight away!
No messing around from Sergio Perez as he takes the lead of the Belgian Grand Prix! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/MWQiOHVail
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 30, 2023
Formation lap!
14:02 , Kieran Jackson
So Charles Leclerc leads the pack around for what is a lengthy formation lap at Spa-Francorchamps!
The top-four are all on softs, as is Max Verstappen. The rest of the top-11 are on medium tyres.
Nobody on hards to begin with.
A reminder of the starting grid for the Belgian Grand Prix
13:59 , Kieran Jackson
1) Charles Leclerc
2) Sergio Perez
3) Lewis Hamilton
4) Carlos Sainz
5) Oscar Piastri
6) Max Verstappen*
7) Lando Norris
8) George Russell
9) Fernando Alonso
10) Lance Stroll
11) Yuki Tsunoda
12) Pierre Gasly
13) Valtteri Bottas
14) Esteban Ocon
15) Alex Albon
16) Kevin Magnussen*
17) Zhou Guanyu
18) Logan Sargeant
19) Daniel Ricciardo
20) Nico Hulkenberg (pit lane start)
*Max Verstappen receives a five-place grid drop for exceeding his gearbox allocation; Kevin Magnussen receives a three-place grid drop for impeding Charles Leclerc in qualifying
Belgian Grand Prix LIVE
13:58 , Kieran Jackson
We’re just moments away from the start of the Belgian Grand Prix!
At the moment, it’s dry at Spa-Francorchamps for the first time all weekend! However, there is a 40% chance of rain throughout the race.
Charles Leclerc starts on pole alongside Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. Lewis Hamilton is third, Max Verstappen is down in sixth after his gearbox penalty.
Who will have the lead after turn 1?!
Max has a chat with his dad pre-race
13:53 , Kieran Jackson
Attendance figures at the Belgian Grand Prix
13:51 , Kieran Jackson
380,000 this weekend in total. That’s up 20,000 on last year!
Impressive, given the torrential weather!
Time for the Belgian national anthem at Spa
13:48 , Kieran Jackson
Performed in rather extravagant style by Antoine Delie!
Red Bull boss Christian Horner:
13:44 , Kieran Jackson
"The mood in the team is exceptional at the moment"
Christian Horner looks ahead to what Red Bull can achieve at the Belgian Grand Prix 👇 pic.twitter.com/AFoJRkDt43— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 30, 2023
Constructors’ Championship (updated after sprint race)
13:40 , Kieran Jackson
1) Red Bull - 460 points
2) Mercedes - 226 points
3) Aston Martin - 184 points
4) Ferrari - 176 points
5) McLaren - 97 points
6) Alpine - 53 points
7) Williams - 11 points
8) Haas - 11 points
9) Alfa Romeo - 9 points
10) AlphaTauri - 2 points
The cars and the drivers are on the grid at Spa!
13:34 , Kieran Jackson
Carlos Sainz interview: ‘All of us at Ferrari expected more – we haven’t done the best job’
13:30 , Kieran Jackson
Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson
Silverstone, 2022. That was the moment a goal within touching distance for so long was finally grasped by Carlos Sainz. Fittingly, his first pole position of his career was duly followed by a first Formula 1 race win, in his 150th grand prix. Ferrari were back among the top contenders and Sainz, this time, was the leading man ahead of his team-mate Charles Leclerc. The Scuderia were a force at the front once more. Or so we thought.
Despite producing a race-winning car, Ferrari failed to capitalise last year amid strategy and reliability clangers. Red Bull leapfrogged the calamitous prancing horse – and have not looked back. Now, Ferrari have not won since Austria last year, just a week after Sainz’s inaugural triumph. They are fourth in the Constructors’ Championship at the halfway stage this season. Sainz has not even finished on the podium.
“I thought we’d be fighting for more podiums and wins but unfortunately it’s a very competitive team called Red Bull who are dominating,” Sainz tells The Independent.
Carlos Sainz interview: ‘All of us expected more – we haven’t done the best job’
Belgian Grand Prix race winner odds!
13:25 , Kieran Jackson
Fancy a flutter?
Max Verstappen - 2/9
Sergio Perez - 6/1
Charles Leclerc - 12/1
Lewis Hamilton - 14/1
Oscar Piastri - 20/1
Lando Norris - 30/1
Carlos Sainz - 45/1
George Russell - 70/1
Fernando Alonso - 125/1
Lance Stroll - 125/1
Constructors’ Championship (updated after sprint race)
13:20 , Kieran Jackson
1) Red Bull - 460 points
2) Mercedes - 226 points
3) Aston Martin - 184 points
4) Ferrari - 176 points
5) McLaren - 97 points
6) Alpine - 53 points
7) Williams - 11 points
8) Haas - 11 points
9) Alfa Romeo - 9 points
10) AlphaTauri - 2 points
Lewis Hamilton’s reaction to his collision and penalty in the sprint race
13:15 , Kieran Jackson
"I think it was just a bit of a racing incident"
Lewis Hamilton gives his thoughts on the incident between himself and Sergio Perez 👇 pic.twitter.com/Qd8ae3qUl4— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 29, 2023
Max Verstappen sees off Oscar Piastri to win thrilling sprint race in Belgium
13:10 , Kieran Jackson
Sprint race report
Max Verstappen overcame Oscar Piastri to win Formula One’s sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Pole-sitter Verstappen fell behind Piastri after the Australian moved from wet tyres to intermediate rubber a lap earlier before blasting back into the lead at the midway stage of a frantic rain-hit dash at Spa-Francorchamps.
Rookie Piastri finished runner-up with Pierre Gasly a surprise third for Alpine. Lewis Hamilton finished fourth but was hit with a five-second penalty for colliding with Sergio Perez, dropping him to seventh.
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were promoted to fourth and fifth respectively for Ferrari with McLaren’s Lando Norris sixth. George Russell took the final point in eighth.
Max Verstappen sees off Oscar Piastri to win thrilling sprint race in Belgium
What is the starting grid for the Belgian Grand Prix?
12:58 , Kieran Jackson
1) Charles Leclerc
2) Sergio Perez
3) Lewis Hamilton
4) Carlos Sainz
5) Oscar Piastri
6) Max Verstappen*
7) Lando Norris
8) George Russell
9) Fernando Alonso
10) Lance Stroll
11) Yuki Tsunoda
12) Pierre Gasly
13) Pierre Gasly
14) Valtteri Bottas
15) Esteban Ocon
16) Alex Albon
17) Zhou Guanyu
18) Logan Sargeant
19) Daniel Ricciardo
20) Nico Hulkenberg (pit lane start)
*Max Verstappen receives a five-place grid drop for exceeding his gearbox allocation
Drivers Parade has just finished at Spa-Francorchamps!
12:50 , Kieran Jackson
And a dry Spa-Francorchamps, we should point out.
Max Verstappen fastest in Belgian GP qualifying despite X-rated row with race engineer
12:14 , Kieran Jackson
Qualifying report
Max Verstappen took pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix despite an X-rated radio row with his race engineer.
Verstappen was embroiled in a squabble with Gianpiero Lambiase after he only just made it through to Q3 during a wet-dry session at Spa-Francorchamps.
But the championship leader regained his composure at the business end of qualifying to demolish the opposition, finishing eight tenths clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with Sergio Perez third in the other Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton qualified fourth.
However, Verstappen will only start Sunday’s race from sixth position as he serves a five-place grid drop for exceeding his gearbox allocation.
Full report below:
Verstappen launches X-rated rant as Leclerc takes Belgian GP pole
Constructors’ Championship (updated after sprint race)
11:59 , Kieran Jackson
1) Red Bull - 460 points
2) Mercedes - 226 points
3) Aston Martin - 184 points
4) Ferrari - 176 points
5) McLaren - 97 points
6) Alpine - 53 points
7) Williams - 11 points
8) Haas - 11 points
9) Alfa Romeo - 9 points
10) AlphaTauri - 2 points
Carlos Sainz interview: ‘All of us at Ferrari expected more – we haven’t done the best job’
11:42 , Kieran Jackson
Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson
Silverstone, 2022. That was the moment a goal within touching distance for so long was finally grasped by Carlos Sainz. Fittingly, his first pole position of his career was duly followed by a first Formula 1 race win, in his 150th grand prix. Ferrari were back among the top contenders and Sainz, this time, was the leading man ahead of his team-mate Charles Leclerc. The Scuderia were a force at the front once more. Or so we thought.
Despite producing a race-winning car, Ferrari failed to capitalise last year amid strategy and reliability clangers. Red Bull leapfrogged the calamitous prancing horse – and have not looked back. Now, Ferrari have not won since Austria last year, just a week after Sainz’s inaugural triumph. They are fourth in the Constructors’ Championship at the halfway stage this season. Sainz has not even finished on the podium.
“I thought we’d be fighting for more podiums and wins but unfortunately it’s a very competitive team called Red Bull who are dominating,” Sainz tells The Independent.
Carlos Sainz interview: ‘All of us expected more – we haven’t done the best job’
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff after the Saturday sprint at Spa
11:30 , Kieran Jackson
Toto Wolff reacts to Mercedes Sprint day and gives his thoughts on the incident between Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez 👇 pic.twitter.com/YZ25XTNP3K
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 29, 2023
Driver Standings (updated after sprint race)
11:25 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 289 points
2) Sergio Perez - 171 points
3) Fernando Alonso - 139 points
4) Lewis Hamilton - 135 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 92 points
6) George Russell - 91 points
7) Charles Leclerc - 84 points
8) Lando Norris - 63 points
9) Lance Stroll - 45 points
10) Oscar Piastri - 34 points
11) Esteban Ocon - 31 points
12) Pierre Gasly - 22 points
13) Alex Albon - 11 points
14) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
15) Valtteri Bottas - 5 points
16) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points
17) Yuki Tsunoda - 2 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 2 points
19) Logan Sargeant - 0 points
20) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
21) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points
Max Verstappen sees off Oscar Piastri to win thrilling sprint race in Belgium
11:20 , Kieran Jackson
Sprint race report
Max Verstappen overcame Oscar Piastri to win Formula One’s sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Pole-sitter Verstappen fell behind Piastri after the Australian moved from wet tyres to intermediate rubber a lap earlier before blasting back into the lead at the midway stage of a frantic rain-hit dash at Spa-Francorchamps.
Rookie Piastri finished runner-up with Pierre Gasly a surprise third for Alpine. Lewis Hamilton finished fourth but was hit with a five-second penalty for colliding with Sergio Perez, dropping him to seventh.
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were promoted to fourth and fifth respectively for Ferrari with McLaren’s Lando Norris sixth. George Russell took the final point in eighth.
Max Verstappen sees off Oscar Piastri to win thrilling sprint race in Belgium
What is the starting grid for the Belgian Grand Prix?
11:17 , Kieran Jackson
1) Charles Leclerc
2) Sergio Perez
3) Lewis Hamilton
4) Carlos Sainz
5) Oscar Piastri
6) Max Verstappen*
7) Lando Norris
8) George Russell
9) Fernando Alonso
10) Lance Stroll
11) Yuki Tsunoda
12) Pierre Gasly
13) Pierre Gasly
14) Valtteri Bottas
15) Esteban Ocon
16) Alex Albon
17) Zhou Guanyu
18) Logan Sargeant
19) Daniel Ricciardo
20) Nico Hulkenberg
*Max Verstappen receives a five-place grid drop for exceeding his gearbox allocation
F1 Belgian Grand Prix LIVE
11:15 , Kieran Jackson
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Belgian Grand Prix!
It’s the last race before the F1 summer break and Max Verstappen is looking to make it eight grand prix victories in a row as he continues his cruise to a third world championship.
The Dutchman starts in sixth place today after a five-place grid drop from first in qualifying due to exceeding his gearbox allocation. Charles Leclerc is on pole with Sergio Perez alongside him on the front row.
The race at Spa-Francorchamps is set to start at 2pm (BST). Stay right here for all the build-up!
