Spa-Francorchamps: Formula 1 championship leader Max Verstappen won the Belgian Grand Prix in a Red Bull one-two on Sunday after he raced through the field from 14th on the starting grid.
Mexican teammate Sergio Perez finished second with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz taking third place after starting on pole position.
A victorious Max Verstappen.Credit:Getty Images
The victory was Verstappen’s ninth in 14 races so far this season, and the Dutch driver also secured a bonus point for fastest lap.
Earlier, Lewis Hamilton took the blame for a first-lap collision with Fernando Alonso that ended the Briton’s race.
Alpine’s Alonso called the most successful F1 driver of all time an “idiot” who “only knows how to drive and start in first (place)” after the pair made contact while fighting for second.
Hamilton told Sky Sports television he did not care what the Spaniard said.
Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton tussle for position just prior to their clash.Credit:Getty Images
“Looking back at the footage, he was in my blind spot and I didn’t leave him enough space, so it was my fault today,” he said, apologising to the team.
Two-time world champion Alonso had lined up third on the grid for his Renault-owned team, with seven-times champion Hamilton alongside.
Alonso made a great start to seize second from Red Bull’s Sergio Perez while Hamilton moved up to third and tried to overtake the Spaniard, turning across after edging half a car length clear.
They collided, Hamilton’s Mercedes lifting high into the air and clattering across the kerbs before parking up beside the track, ending his record of finishing every race this year.
“What an idiot, closing the door from the outside,” exclaimed Alonso over the radio of his former McLaren teammate. “We had a mega start, but this guy only knows how to drive and start in first.”
Stewards investigated the incident and decided to take no further action.
Hamilton, winner of a record 103 races, continued for half a lap before slowing and pulling over with smoke coming from the back of his Mercedes. Alonso went on to secure fourth place.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo came in 15th for McLaren.
Reuters
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