F1
Verstappen wins Belgian GP under Safety Car
Max Verstappen always drove behind the Safety Car at Spa-Francorchamps. © Florent Gooden / DPPI
In the great book of the History of Formula 1, there will indeed have been a Belgian Grand Prix in 2021. But in fact, the courageous public present at Spa-Francorchamps witnessed a mock race.
The event was delayed many times and only restarted after several hours of waiting just to complete two laps at very slow speed behind the Safety Car, solely in order to be able to award half of the points in the Drivers' and Manufacturers' championships. This is the shortest Grand Prix since the appearance of the sport in 1950, with 14,008 km covered.
Therefore, Max Verstappen (Red Bull) started from pole position, signs his 16th victory in F1. George Russell brings to Williams his first podium since the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix thanks to his second fastest time in qualifying.
Leader in the Drivers ranking, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) limits the damage with a third place. Daniel Ricciardo collects his best result since his transfer to the team McLaren (4th), ahead of his former colleague at Red Bull, Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin).
Behind, the French make a group shot with Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) sixth in front Esteban Ocon (Alpine). Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) is eighth, ahead Nicholas latifi (Williams) while Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) closes the top 10.
The big loser of this day is Sergio Pérez (Red Bull). The Mexican left in the background during his installation tour shortly before 14 p.m. The mechanics achieved a feat by repairing the broken left front axle during the race interruption, but the one who was returned to Red Bull for 2022 had to return to the track in last place.
C'est déjà terminé pour Sergio Pérez ❌🇧🇪
▶ https://t.co/7plkVVV12v pic.twitter.com/roaawfQBjs
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) August 29
Ranking :
The classification of this improbable #BelgianGP 📊🇧🇪
Premier podium pour George Russell ☺️🏆 pic.twitter.com/9Wt3rbaUPM
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) August 29
Find it in AUTO issue 2327hebdo, on sale Monday evening digitally and Wednesday on newsstands the analysis of F1 in Spa by our special correspondents.
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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LAURENT STEYT
29/08/2021 at 10:59 a.m.
We were deprived of a beautiful spectacle today. Shouldn't drivers be given the right to choose if they want to race? We are dealing with the 20 best drivers in the world. They must be able to ride when it rains, right? Naturally the safety of the commissioners must be guaranteed, but is that not the case?
BENOIT MINOR
29/08/2021 at 08:32 a.m.
Since my first GP, precisely at Spa in 1, I don't think I have ever witnessed such a spectacle, not even at the F68 GP at Indy in 1. In any case, I am very happy to have been able to follow this piece highly humorous in front of the TV. My friend Gaëtan Vigneron (RtbF) furnishes his downtime so well that he deserves his place at Ikea. Otherwise, we are talking about the 2005 best drivers in the world, is that correct? :) This type of situation unfortunately tends to multiply, whether in WEC (as sometimes at Le Mans), in GT (as sometimes at the 20h of Spa or Nurburg, but hey there can be hail) . In short, it's a big joke to say it's too dangerous, when you just have to adapt to the circumstances (drive slower and/or keep your distance). As a last resort, it was of course necessary to postpone until tomorrow, as is sometimes done in tennis. OK, not good for the absenteeism of those who have a ticket but it could be done, the excuse of the PB GP next Sunday being also ridiculous.