Not only was Max Verstappen’s romp to the spoils of glory in the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend the very finest work of his Formula 1 career, but his weekend-long performance should surely rank somewhere among the all-time great displays. Of the 1071 world championship races now held, only 14 have been won by a driver starting further back than he did at Spa.
Adding to the case in favour, Verstappen’s mesmeric recovery came after he had absolutely dominated qualifying to top the order by six tenths, and despite needing to overcome a chunky grid penalty. Such was his command that, despite having lined up down in 13th, the reigning champion was already contemplating the “good possibility” of seizing the victory as early as lap eight of 44.
Spa, which will reprise its role in 2023 to cover for the South African GP being delayed a year, played host to the now traditional hybrid era litany of grid penalties. With the subsequent Dutch, Italian and Singapore rounds not offering an abundance of overtaking opportunities, eight drivers opted to take on enough new power unit elements for Belgium to exceed their quota for the season. They were duly sent marching to the back of the grid (or, in the case of Yuki Tsunoda, had to contend with a pitlane start), but knowing there was at least the prospect of making up some of the lost ground.
Verstappen was among those pinged, courtesy of the new gearbox, energy store and control electronics for his Red Bull RB18. Boosting his chances
