Lewis Hamilton maintains his stranglehold on the 2020 season, further extending his championship lead with a monstrous performance in Spa. Valterri Bottas came across the line in 2nd, while Max Verstappen rounded out the podium. Daniel Ricciardo almost made the podium with a late charge, but had to settle for 4th.
Race Report:
Carlos Sainz’s chances were blown, similar to his exhaust as he retired before the race even began.
Both Mercedes got off the line well and managed to keep their positions, despite the slipstream tow through Radillion. Daniel Ricciardo almost managed to squeeze past Max Verstappen, but the Dutchman just managed to keep his nose infront. The midfield squabble saw Charles Leclerc move his Ferrari to 8th while Lance Stroll progressed to 7th. The Monagasque would eventually fall out of the points by lap 7. Pierre Gasly continued to show his good form, performing some clinical overtakes early on. Lap 11 saw a huge crash between Antonio Giovinazzi and George Russell. The Italian lost control and collided with the wall at turn 14 and his front left tyre ricocheted back on to the track. Unfortunately, Russell was powerless as the wheel cannoned into his car. The safety car was brought out as debris from the Alfa Romeo covered the track.
The race restarted on lap 15 , the top 3 remained the same, but Pierre Gasly and Sergio Perez started a battle for 4th. Gasly remained infront, and had strategy on his side. The Frenchman started on the medium tyre and was looking strong. However, Daniel Ricciardo managed to take the Frenchman on lap 21 and set his sights on the top 3. Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc almost came together whilst battling for 12th, but managed to stay apart. The only notable part of a dire weekend for the Scarlet team.
The race settled down for a while and Pierre Gasly’s charge through the field providing the only source of entertainment. He would go from 17th -after his last pitstop- to 8th. A superb performance from the Alpha Tauri driver. Toward the end, the cars in front were visibly having trouble with the grip on their cars. Hamilton had to take evasive action as he locked up through the final corner and Valtteri Bottas had an identical incident a lap later. Lando Norris continued his strong form and found himself chasing down Esteban Ocon, who himself was battling with Alexander Albon for 5th with 4 laps to go. Ocon managed to squeeze past Albon on the last lap at the end of the Kemmel Straight.
However, it was another dominant display from Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton led every lap of the race. But, he was denied a grand slam as Daniel Ricciardo took the fastest lap at the bitter end. Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen rounded out the rest of the grid ahead of the Renault pair. Both drivers will be happy with 4th and 5th and they will head to Monza with high hopes. Alexander Albon and Lando Norris were next, infront of the superb Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez.
All eyes now to Monza, it will of course be Mercedes’ race to lose, but Renault will have their eyes set on a podium finish. McLaren have now leapfrogged Ferrari for 3rd in the constructors and they will need to use Ferrari’s power deficit to their advantage in the next race.
- Hamilton
- Bottas +8.448
- Verstappen +15.455
- Ricciardo +18.877
- Ocon +40.650
- Albon +42.712
- Norris +43.774
- Gasly 47.371
- Stroll +52.603
- Perez +53.179
- Kvyat +70.200
- Raikkonen +71.504
- Vettel +72.894
- Leclerc +74.920
- Grosjean +76.793
- Latifi +77.795
- Magnussen +85.540
- Giovinazzi RET
- Russell RET
- Sainz DNS
Featured Image Credit: @F1 Official Twitter
