F1 Roundup: Verstappen victorious, Hamilton penalised, Horner blames Hamilton
The Belgian GP Sprint concluded with Verstappen’s victory, a contentious penalty for Hamilton, and Red Bull's team principal criticising Hamilton's collision with Perez.
A winning streak for Verstappen
In a thrilling development at Spa-Francorchamps, Red Bull's Max Verstappen secured his victory at the Belgian Grand Prix sprint event.
Despite starting behind the safety car and battling treacherous weather conditions, Verstappen emerged victorious, taking the lead from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri on the sixth lap after a pit stop for intermediate tyres.
The dynamic Dutchman then proceeded to stay clear at the front, finishing with a comfortable 6-second lead over Piastri.
The race, which witnessed multiple safety car interventions and a spin-out by Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, ended in a highly competitive sprint where Verstappen held his lead, leaving Piastri and Gasly to battle for the remaining podium spots.
Belgian Sprint Race Results
Hamilton hit with penalty for collision with Perez
On the other hand, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton found himself in the crosshairs of FIA Stewards.
The Mercedes ace was given a five-second penalty for causing a collision with Red Bull's Sergio Perez during the sprint.
The controversial incident, occurring at an unconventional overtaking spot through Stavelot, resulted in considerable damage to Perez's car and eventually led to his retirement from the race.
Hamilton's penalty and the resultant time addition saw him drop from a prospective fourth place to a disappointing seventh in the final classification.
This reshuffle could have substantial implications for the Championship, with the iconic Spa track traditionally known for dramatic turnarounds.
Horner blames Hamilton
In an interview with Sky Sports F1, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner expressed his dissatisfaction with the Hamilton-Perez incident.
He accused Hamilton of causing "a big hole" in Perez's sidepod, which led to a significant loss of performance, forcing Red Bull to retire the car. He termed the incident as "very unfortunate."
Despite the setback with Perez, the team celebrated Verstappen's third sprint race victory of the season. Horner outlined the strategy that led to this win.
He explained that instead of joining a pit lane stampede, Verstappen completed the first racing lap before pitting for intermediates, a decision that proved decisive.
In conclusion, the Belgian Grand Prix sprint saw its share of drama, strategy, and spectacle, setting the stage for an intense season ahead.
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