Charles Leclerc WINS the Belgian Grand Prix for Ferrari
Charles Leclerc wins the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix – his first win and Ferrari’s first of the season – holding off a charging Lewis Hamilton.
It should be a huge celebration for the young Lclerc, but the F1 weekend had a big shadow cast across it by the death of F2 driver Anthoine Hubert, and Leclerc somberly dedicated his win to his friend, a win all the more impressive under such emotional circumstances.
Leclerc kept stayed at the front at the start, but Hamilton initially powered through to second place, only to have it taken back by Vettel, with a collision between Verstappen and Raikkonen at the start delivering a safety car.
When the race restarted on lap five Leclerc took off, extending his lead over Vettel, with Hamilton sitting behind him, with Vettel pitting early on lap 16 and giving second place to Hamilton.
Leclerc pitted five laps later but came out behind Vettel, and Hamilton pitted on lap 22, coming out behind Leclerc, and by lap 26 Leclerc had caught Vettel and Vettel was ordered to move over and let his young team mate take the lead.
Hamilton soon passed Vettel as the German’s tyres went off, and Vettel pitted again on lap 34 for fresh rubber which ended up costing him third place, which went to Bottas. So Ferrari ended up with a 1-4, and Mercedes a 2-3.
Behind the top four, Albon made a statement by taking fifth in the Red Bull, Perez was sixth for Racing Point, Kvyat seventh for Toro Rosso, Hulkenberg eighth for Renault, Gasly ninth for Toro Rosso and Stroll took them last points place for Racing Point.
Have your say - leave a comment