Verstappen won the Belgian Grand Prix, three laps were enough!

The Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps was facing a great weather

Olivier Matthys, ČTK / AP

Thanks to the win, Verstappen reduced Hamilton’s lead to three points. At the same time, he scored his sixth victory of the season and continues to fight for the premier championship title. “It’s a victory, but not what you would like. Great recognition goes mainly to the fans who waited all day in the rain and cold. They are the real winners,” Verstappen told TV cameras.

The Dutchman was the only one to say after completing the introductory round that the race could be run. “Even though the visibility was very low, it was still decent. If we started at three o’clock, we would have a better chance,” said a native of Hasselt, Belgium.

The second Russell had the greatest success of his career in Williams colors. “We’ve been rewarded for a successful qualifier, which doesn’t happen that often. Although I’m sorry for the fans, it’s an amazing result on our part. I didn’t expect it at all this year,” Russell admitted.

Hamilton was not given the opportunity to attack the jubilee 100th career victory. “When they sent us to the track at the end, they knew very well that the weather would not improve. The goal was to drive at least two laps behind the safety car. I hope that the fans will get their money back for this,” said the British driver.

Australian rider Daniel Ricciardo from McLaren experienced the atypical 200th race in F1 and took fourth place in it.

The twelfth race of the season was originally scheduled to start at 15:00, but due to heavy rain, the start was postponed. Sergio Pérez paid for the unfavorable conditions, who skidded on the wet track on the way to the start and crashed into a barrier. Although the mechanics managed to repair his Red Bull during the subsequent postponement, he started from the pit lane and did not have the opportunity to participate in the fight for points.

Although, according to F1 rules, the program was to end no later than three hours after the official start, ie at 18:00, the race management took advantage of the exception from the International Sporting Code and stopped the countdown. The race could start at 18:17 by driving behind a safety car, but after three laps in the continuing rain, the directorate hoisted red flags again and then ended the Grand Prix.

In addition to Pérez, Valtteri Bottas also finished without points. The Finnish Mercedes driver paid for the penalty and the loss of five places at the start from the previous Hungarian GP. He also lost Lando Norris from McLaren, who dropped to 14th place after a crash in qualifying and a subsequent gear change.

The championship will continue next week with a race in Zandvoort, the Netherlands.