F1 Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Race newest updates and instances at Spa-Francorchamps

Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson

Silverstone, 2022. That was the second a purpose inside touching distance for thus lengthy was lastly grasped by Carlos Sainz. Fittingly, his first pole place of his profession was duly adopted by a primary Formula 1 race win, in his 150^th grand prix. Ferrari had been again among the many prime contenders and Sainz, this time, was the main man forward of his team-mate Charles Leclerc. The Scuderia had been a drive on the entrance as soon as extra. Or so we thought.

Despite producing a race-winning automotive, Ferrari did not capitalise final yr amid technique and reliability clangers. Red Bull leapfrogged the calamitous prancing horse – and haven’t regarded again. Now, Ferrari haven’t gained since Austria final yr, only a week after Sainz’s inaugural triumph. They are fourth within the Constructors’ Championship on the midway stage this season. Sainz has not even completed on the rostrum.

“I thought we’d be fighting for more podiums and wins but unfortunately it’s a very competitive team called Red Bull who are dominating,” Sainz tells The Independent.

3) Aston Martin – 184 factors

10) AlphaTauri – 2 factors

Pole-sitter Verstappen fell behind Piastri after the Australian moved from moist tyres to intermediate rubber a lap earlier earlier than blasting again into the lead on the halfway stage of a frantic rain-hit sprint at Spa-Francorchamps.

Rookie Piastri completed runner-up with Pierre Gasly a shock third for Alpine. Lewis Hamilton completed fourth however was hit with a five-second penalty for colliding with Sergio Perez, dropping him to seventh.

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc had been promoted to fourth and fifth respectively for Ferrari with McLaren’s Lando Norris sixth. George Russell took the ultimate level in eighth.

20) Nico Hulkenberg (pit lane begin)

*Max Verstappen receives a five-place grid drop for exceeding his gearbox allocation

And a dry Spa-Francorchamps, we should always level out.

Verstappen was embroiled in a squabble with Gianpiero Lambiase after he solely simply made it by to Q3 throughout a wet-dry session at Spa-Francorchamps.

But the championship chief regained his composure on the enterprise finish of qualifying to demolish the opposition, ending eight tenths away from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with Sergio Perez third within the different Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton certified fourth.

However, Verstappen will solely begin Sunday’s race from sixth place as he serves a five-place grid drop for exceeding his gearbox allocation.

3) Aston Martin – 184 factors

10) AlphaTauri – 2 factors

Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson

Silverstone, 2022. That was the second a purpose inside touching distance for thus lengthy was lastly grasped by Carlos Sainz. Fittingly, his first pole place of his profession was duly adopted by a primary Formula 1 race win, in his 150^th grand prix. Ferrari had been again among the many prime contenders and Sainz, this time, was the main man forward of his team-mate Charles Leclerc. The Scuderia had been a drive on the entrance as soon as extra. Or so we thought.

Despite producing a race-winning automotive, Ferrari did not capitalise final yr amid technique and reliability clangers. Red Bull leapfrogged the calamitous prancing horse – and haven’t regarded again. Now, Ferrari haven’t gained since Austria final yr, only a week after Sainz’s inaugural triumph. They are fourth within the Constructors’ Championship on the midway stage this season. Sainz has not even completed on the rostrum.

“I thought we’d be fighting for more podiums and wins but unfortunately it’s a very competitive team called Red Bull who are dominating,” Sainz tells The Independent.