Max Verstappen plays with his opponents

Long-time winner Max Verstappen completely outclassed the rest of Formula 1 in Spa and can now break Sebastian Vettel's record series. After the superior success at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, the Red Bull driver is only one victory away from the record set by his German predecessor, who won nine races in a row in 2013. One day after winning the sprint in the Ardennes, Verstappen easily secured first place in the main race despite a grid penalty.

The Dutchman was so superior in Spa that he joked cockily on the radio in the last third of the race: “I could make an additional pit stop, then we would have a little extra training.” It was the 13th Grand for the Red Bull team -Prix victory in a row, no other racing team has won this season.

Alone in the open: Max Verstappen is currently unrivaled. © ANSA / CHRISTIAN BRUNA

Teammate Sergio Pérez came second behind Verstappen. The Mexican was over 20 seconds behind at the finish and, as second overall in the World Championship, is already 125 points behind Verstappen at the start of the summer break. Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari, who started from pole position, came third.

Punishment doesn't upset Verstappen Knowing the superiority of their Red Bull car, Max Verstappen's team changed the gearbox on the double world champion's car before the race for the fourth time this season and accepted a penalty for this irregularity. After his best time in qualifying, the 25-year-old had to start five places further back, but he didn't stay there for long.

Charles Leclerc was unable to defend pole position. © APA/afp / JOHN THYS

After the first lap, Verstappen was fourth. In front of him, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri collided in the McLaren and fell behind. The Australian Piastri soon had to give up, Sainz, who caused the accident, dragged on for 23 laps with a hole in his body.

After 17 laps, Verstappen takes over Pérez replaced Leclerc at the top after just a few meters. The Monegasque had inherited the pole position after Verstappen's penalty, but had no chance against the strength of the Red Bull. After nine laps, Verstappen also overtook Leclerc, having recently overtaken Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton.

The World Cup leader was far from satisfied with that. On the pit radio, Verstappen briefly argued with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase about race tactics and when to change tires. Everything doesn't matter. On lap 17, Verstappen grabbed his stable rival Pérez and disappeared, never to be seen again. The race continues in Zandvoort in four weeks. The next Verstappen festival could follow at the home game.

The results Pos Name racing team Time 1. Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:22 p.m 2. Sergio Perez Red Bull +22.305 sec 3. Charles Leclerc Ferrari +32.259 4. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +49.671 5. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +56.184 6. George Russell Mercedes +1:03.101 min 7. Lando Norris McLaren + 1: 13.719 8. Esteban Ocon Alpine + 1: 14.719 9. Lance stroll Aston Martin + 1: 19.340 10. Yuki tsunoda Alpha tauri + 1: 20.221

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Max Verstappen plays with his opponents

Max Verstappen makes the competitors in Formula 1 look old. In Spa, even a penalty doesn't slow down the World Cup leader.

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