Max Verstappen takes his EIGHTH win in a row at the Belgian GP and continues Red Bull’s dominance at Spa

Even the handicap of starting sixth and behind the other Red Bull couldn’t stop Max Verstappen from racing to victory in the Belgian Grand Prix.

This was the defending champion’s eighth consecutive win – and 10th in 12 races – as his unstoppable journey to a third world title continued to flow like hot lava.

He extended his championship lead going into the summer break to a Grand Canyon-like 125 points.

The decisive move came on lap 17 of 44 when he deployed DRS and passed eventual runner-up Sergio Perez, serving as a benchmark for Verstappen’s greatness, who was helpless to resist Kemmel’s advance on the straight.

To rub in his superiority, Verstappen then set a lap two seconds faster than the Mexican.

The Dutchman won his eighth race in a row with a dominant ride at Spa-Francorchamps

It was another one-two punch for Red Bull, who have miraculously won 22 of the last 23 Formula 1 races.

At that point, Verstappen had passed Lewis Hamilton on the inside in Les Combes. Moments later he attacked Charles Leclerc at the same point – this time on the outside, braking very impressively late as he was out of straight.

Wisely, the bookies had the Dutchman 2-9 favorite beforehand despite starting sixth – the result of a gearbox change that robbed him of the head advantage his pole position would normally have given him.

There were a few splashes of rain and Verstappen almost lost it at Eau Rouge. “F***,” he exclaimed. Like you could do in one of the hardest corners in the world at 300 km/h.

That staggering, nothing would stop him. Verstappen is now one short of Sebastian Vettel’s nine wins in a season a decade ago at a time when Red Bull was almost as dominant as it is now.

Indeed, the Milton Keynes team has won 22 of the last 23 races. Incredible. As well as being incredibly annoying to the audience.

Slight relief came in comical exchanges between Verstappen and his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, known as GP. It echoed their sharp words in qualifying on Friday, when Verstappen almost got out of Q2. Afterwards, he apologized for his tirade.

This time another love affair. Whether it was premeditated or not, who knows. The first row of the race came prior to the first round of stops, when Perez was still leading.

Verstappen wanted to double stack rather than allow his teammate the undercut. As he pressed GP, his race engineer said, “So don’t forget, Max, please use your head.”

Sergio Perez (second from left) and Charles Leclerc (right) made up the rest of the podium at Spa

All laughing: Verstappen is congratulated afterwards by team boss Christian Horner (right).

Verstappen’s victory came despite a frosty conversation with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and took the fastest lap on the last lap

Verstappen inquired: “Do we both do it or not?” GP: ‘Just follow my instructions.’

Verstappen: ‘No, I want to know if both cars are working.’ GP: ‘Max, follow my instructions and trust them, thank you.’

Later, after a second tire change, GP said: “You used a lot of tires on the away lap, Max, I’m not sure that was wise.”

The champion’s answer? Set the fastest lap. Take that, doctor, idiot! Later the doctor begged, “I’d like to ask you to use your head.”

Max added: ‘I could push through and make another stop. A little pit stop practice.’

“Not this time,” GP said, straight as a Boycott forward defense.

Verstappen’s margin of victory was an absurd 22.3 seconds from Perez. Leclerc was third for Ferrari, with Hamilton fourth, albeit with the comfort of fastest lap achieved right at death.

George Russell was sixth and Lando Norris seventh, outpacing his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, who was tagged by Carlos Sainz at the opening corner. The clashing pair were the only two retirees for the afternoon.