After having passed the Sprint race of the Belgian Grand Prix in the first round, Max Verstappen managed to keep the head of the race until the end, in front of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. First French, Esteban Ocon took a good fifth place.
Third sprint race of the season, and third different winner! After Lewis Hamilton in China and Lando Norris in Miami, Max Verstappen triumphed this Saturday in Belgium, and thus opens the best of the Laurent Mekies era at Red Bull.
The reigning world champion perfectly mastered this 15 laps race, which took place without rain, which will not necessarily be the case with the main race on Sunday. It was not he who had gone at the top of the race. But from the first straight line, a blow, Max Verstappen doubled the Oscar Piastri poleman to take the lead, and Charles Leclerc exceeded Lando Norris to climb to third place.
However, the Briton managed to redouble the Monegasque from the 4th round. As the towers progressed, the top trio detached from other pilots and Norris got closer to Piastri, who got closer to Verstappen, who complained about brake problems. But despite some brief attempts, the leader of the world championship has never managed to double the leader of the race, and this sprint saw the Verstappen’s victory before Piastri and Norris, which allows them to glean 8, 6 and 5 points respectively. The Australian widens a little bit of the gap at the top of the championship, now with nine points ahead of the British and 68 on the Dutchman.
Two French in the points
Leaving fifth, Esteban Ocon took fifth place at the wheel of his haas and took four precious points, while Isack Hadjar took the 8th place on his Racing Bulls. Pierre Gasly, meanwhile, almost finished this race sprint before he even started it. Qualified in eighth position, the Alpine pilot was the victim of a water leak on the propellant system of his car and was still able to start, but with two laps late.
He finally abandoned in the last round. Business does not arrange for Alpine, since Franco Colapinto, who left stands with soft tires (all the other pilots were in mediums) finished last. The French team can hardly do worse during the Grand Prix on Sunday. Qualifications will take place at 4:00 p.m.
