Brussels, Belgium- Max Verstappen won the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday despite having started the race from 14th on the grid.
Following an early safety car, the Dutchman came through in seventh after just five laps and then steadily moved up to second, passing second-starting teammate Sergio Perez.
That became first after leader and polesitter Carlos Sainz pitted and, after Verstappen had made his first pitstop on lap 16, he comfortably passed Sainz for the net lead on lap 18.
Verstappen then regaled the tens of thousands of Dutch fans that flocked to Spa-Francorchamps with a crushing display, taking his ninth win of the season with a 17-second gap to Perez in second.
“It was quite a hectic first lap to try and stay out of trouble, so many things were happening in front of me, but once we settled in after the safety car, the car was really on rails. I picked the right places to pass people and we could look after our tyres and that’s how we made our way forward.
After that, once we were in the lead, it was all about managing everything, but this whole weekend has been incredible,” said Verstappen.
At the same time, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was forced to retire from the Belgian Grand Prix following a first-lap collision with Fernando Alonso.
“Looking back at the footage, he was in my blind spot, and I didn’t leave him enough space, so it was my fault today. I am just so sorry to the team. As I said, it was my fault, I couldn’t see him, actually, he was right in my blind spot. I will just recuperate and get back on the treadmill,” said Hamilton.
Nevertheless, Alonso was able to bring his Alpine, home in fifth to equal his best finish of the 2022 season so far, and said he is glad that Hamilton took the responsibility.
“I was surprised, and he’s now seen the incident and takes responsibility, which is very nice from him. It’s a tricky corner, it happened in the past, also, I remember with Nico Rosberg, the same thing. So it’s a tricky corner. I was frustrated at that moment, for sure. Every time we start on the first or second row or are fighting in the top two or three there is always something going on and I am frustrated. Luckily, my car was powerful, and I could continue,” said Alonso.
