Max Verstappen stormed to another Formula 1 Sprint Race victory, seeing off a challenge from Oscar Piastri in the wet conditions at Spa.
With the race starting behind the Safety Car, Piastri was the first to gamble for Intermediate tyres. Verstappen responded by following suit one lap later, but Red Bull’s hesitation afforded Piastri and McLaren the race lead.
READ MORE: F1 2023 Belgian GP – Sprint Report
A crash at Pouhon for Fernando Alonso brought out the Safety Car and Verstappen wasted no time in passing Piastri for the race lead along the Kemmel Straight.
Lewis Hamilton was handed a five-second time penalty for causing a collision with Sergio Perez. The rivals had been battling over P4, with Hamilton the eventual victor in that tussle after the pair made slight contact.
Perez plummeted from P4 to P17 before Red Bull opted to retire the car two laps from the end.
Pierre Gasly picked up the final podium place while Hamilton dropped from 4th to 7th. The two Ferraris claimed 4th and 5th while George Russell picked up the final point in 8th.
[motorsport_result id=’116996′]
