Max Verstappen after finishing third in Belgium: “Kimi and I had a bit of bad luck”

For a brief moment, the large crowd of Verstappen fans who had made the pilgrimage to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps were able to celebrate, as their favourite driver overtook Mercedes pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli from second on the grid to take the lead. However, he relinquished the lead back to the championship leader on the very first lap – and also dropped back behind Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari.

Verstappen pulled into the pits as early as lap 18 to pick up a set of fresh hard-compound tyres, having started the race – like most of his rivals – on medium-compound tyres. The Red Bull Racing pit crew did a brilliant job, getting the Dutchman through in just 2.5 seconds. He rejoined the track in sixth place.

His direct rivals had not yet pitted and benefited from a virtual safety car period, which significantly limited the time lost during their pit stops. Nevertheless, after 44 laps, Verstappen was able to celebrate third place. Antonelli and Leclerc crossed the finish line ahead of him. The Italian thus celebrated the sixth Grand Prix victory of his career. Leclerc, who had won the previous race at Silverstone, stood on the podium for the fourth time this season.

For Verstappen, it was his third Grand Prix podium finish this year. He said immediately after getting out of the car: “I think I can be satisfied with this result. I left no stone unturned. The first stint wasn’t too bad either. Things got a bit more difficult after the pit stop.”

“However, it was also the case that Kimi and I had a bit of bad luck with the virtual safety car phase. That’s why finishing on the podium is a very good result for us. I gave it my all, and I think third place is indeed a very good result,” he added. In the cool-down room, he also explained in conversation with Formula 1 President Stefano Domenicali: “It was significantly cooler today than on previous days, which worked in our favour.”

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