Scene of the race: In the 27th round of the Belgian Grand Prix both Ferrari drivers had already got new tires. Sebastian Vettel was in the lead, but Charles Leclerc faster. So the team management made a decision: "Seb will let you pass immediately," it said from the garage of the Scuderia. Vettel performed, and Leclerc secured Ferrari's first win of the season.
Result: Leclerc won for the first time in his career a race in Formula 1. Behind the 21-year-old Monegassen came Lewis Hamilton and Valterri Bottas (both Mercedes) to the finish. Sebastian Vettel finished fourth. Click here for the race report.
CLASSIFICATION
Confirmation of Charles Leclerc's first career # F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/HV5LM4SG3F
Shadow over the race: In Formula 2, there had been a tragic accident on Saturday, in which the driver Anthoine Hubert lost his life. Leclerc had known Hubert since childhood, so his mood was subdued, on the day of his greatest triumph. "It's hard to be happy, even though a dream has come true," he said.
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The Dutch fans celebrate Verstappen with orange smoke
Orange disillusionment: For the Dutchman Max Verstappen it should actually be a special race, after all, no Grand Prix is closer to his home - at least in the current calendar. The many traveling fans were disappointed: After a poor start the Red Bull driver collided with Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo) in the first corner and came off the track shortly thereafter. Thus, the race for Verstappen was completed quickly.
Ferrari's Renaissance: Mercedes' dominance this season is extraordinary. Of the first twelve races, the German team won ten, while Ferrari experienced one debacle after another. The first race weekend after the summer break showed that Ferrari made good use of the four weeks. In training, the Red were faster, in qualifying Leclerc and Vettel landed in the first two places. Especially on the straights, the Ferraris reached the higher speeds, what Hamilton did not like: "They are miles ahead of us!", He barked in the pit radio. Ferrari's triumph gives hope that there will be some tension this season.
Vettel as a brake pad: Ferrari has apparently been a change of power. Leclerc was called six laps later than Vettel to change tires in the box to have later fresher tires. In the 27th Round was clear that Leclerc drove the higher tempo, so Ferrari ordered the 22-year-old to the top and put Vettel as a brake pad against Hamilton.
LAP 27/44
Vettel allows Leclerc to re-take the lead, following orders from the team # F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/kauD45SFDV
The championship leader came even later than Vettel to the pit stop and accordingly much faster on the way, as Vettel stated: "He will roll us over."
The German misjudged his prognosis. For five rounds he fended off the attacks of the five-time world champion, had finally beaten on a straight in the 32nd round. Thanks to Vettel's efforts Leclerc had a lead of about seven seconds on Hamilton.
