Incredible Max Verstappen clinches Belgian Grand Prix as Hamilton crashes out

David Ben 15:49 - 28 August 2022

Red Bull's Max Verstappen is victorious in Spa as Hamilton retires early

The Red Bull driver has extended his domination the world championships this season with his success at the Belgian GP despite starting in P14 on Sunday.

Verstappen, who started 14th after being hit with a grid penalty for using too many engine parts, cruised to his ninth win of the season ahead of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

The result leaves Verstappen with a 93-point championship lead over Perez with eight races to go until the end of the season, with the 24-year-old Dutchman edging closer to a second world title.

Another remarkable drive from @Max33Verstappen 👍

He's your #F1DriverOfTheDay #BelgianGP @salesforce pic.twitter.com/F2pA3R0fFn
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 28, 2022

It took Verstappen just 12 laps to assume the lead after overtaking Perez in Spa.

Verstappen briefly dropped to second behind Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, but that was only when he came in for his first pitstop.

However, it took the outstanding Dutchman but just three laps to breeze back past the Ferrari driver and once again take the lead.

Max Verstappen wins the Belgian GP

Verstappen who looked a class apart was then on his way to sealing the 29th victory of his F1 career.

The win for Verstappen now also means that Red Bull now holds a 118 point lead over Ferrari with eight races remaining.

Carlos Sainz finished third, struggling for pace to drop away from the race leaders, hanging on to see off George Russell in the closing laps.

Lewis Hamilton crashed out of the Belgian Grand Prix

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton made his first retirement of the season following a first-lap collision with Alpine driver Fernando Alonso as they fought for second place.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton collided with Alpine's Fernando Alonso at the Belgian GP

Hamilton later accepted responsibility for the incident, with Alonso describing him as an "id**t" over team radio, as the Spaniard claimed that the seven-time world champion "only knows how to drive and start in first".