Belgian Grand Prix 2019
Charles Leclerc has finally claimed his first career Formula 1 win after a terrific performance at the Belgian Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver had come close to taking the chequered flag on a couple of occasions this season — most notably in Bahrain and Austria– but this time, he finally sealed the deal.
Although, his maiden victory wasn’t quite as joyous an occasion as he probably would have hoped it would be. The tragic passing of Anthoine Hubert — a childhood friend of Leclerc’s — at Spa the day before cast a sombre shadow over the race as Formula 1 finally returned from its two-week break.
Still, it’s a moment that will forever stay with Leclerc, who dedicated his first win to his dearly departed friend.
Highlights of the game
After disappointing for most of the season to date, Ferrari started the weekend promisingly enough as they filled up the front row of the grid in qualifying for the first time this season.
Both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes had to settle for Row 2. Max Verstappen — the in-form driver heading into the break — was down in fifth, which wasn’t a great sign that his Belgian Grand Prix 2019 betting odds would pay out.
And things would go from bad to worse for the Red Bull driver as his race came to an end in the very first lap after colliding with Kimi Raikkonen’s Alfa Romeo. Meanwhile, Leclerc and Vettel maintained their places as the safety car was deployed.
Once the race restarted, Leclerc wasted little time extending his lead on his Ferrari team-mate by setting a series of fastest laps. Hamilton was also hot on Vettel’s tail in third.
Vettel eventually ceded the No. 2 position in lap 16 as he entered the pits and fell to fifth. Leclerc then followed suit six laps later and Hamilton came in as well the following lap. After Bottas’ stop, Vettel suddenly found himself in the lead.
But the German eventually had to hand the lead back to his team-mate in lap 27 following team orders. And things would get worse for Vettel with Hamilton hot on his heels and the fact that he’d need another pit to change his tyres.
Hamilton eventually overtakes Vettel with 12 laps to go and the Ferrari driver dives into the pits a lap later as he dropped down to fourth.
The stage was now set for Hamilton to hunt down Leclerc as he did so masterfully to Verstappen at Hungaroring. The Briton wasted little time clawing back huge chunks off Leclerc’s lead. He had it down to just 1.6 seconds heading into the final lap.
But the Belgian Grand Prix 2019 highlights would not include a dramatic overtake from the Mercedes driver or a repeat of Leclerc’s late heartbreak in Austria at the hands of Verstappen. Instead, Leclerc just about managed to hold off Hamilton to claim his maiden victory in thrilling fashion.
Key statistics
At 21 years old, Charles Leclerc becomes Formula 1’s third-youngest winner behind Max Verstappen (18) and Sebastian Vettel (21). He’s also the 108th different Formula 1 winner.
Leclerc also follows in the footsteps of Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher, who similarly won his first career race at Spa.
Speaking of Schumi, Lewis Hamilton is one race shy of tying the German’s all-time record for Grands Prix led. The Brit is currently at 141 after leading for a lap at Spa.
Verstappen’s retirement on lap 1 has ended his run of 21 consecutive top-five finishes. The Dutchman’s new team-mate, Alex Albon, had a much more memorable race as the Thai driver finished fifth — his best-ever F1 finish — on his Red Bull debut.
Meanwhile, Sergio Perez of Racing Point finished in the top six for the fourth time in five years at Spa.
What’s next?
After just coming off their summer break, Formula 1 immediately moves on to its next race next week at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix.
Hamilton will be eager to get back to winning ways after just narrowly missing out on victory at Spa. The SBOBET odds should once again be in his favour at Monza, where he has won five times in his career, including each of the last two years.
Ferrari have not won their home race since Fernando Alonso all the way back in 2010. But after a promising performance in Belgium, the Prancing Horse could potentially have what it takes to end Mercedes’ five-year dominance over the track.
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