Maldonado Wins Again, Desai Closes Championship Gap

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Q1	Q2	Diff.
1	57	Dean Stoneman		1:49.431	1:49.738
2	63	George Russell		1:49.932	1:49.641	+0.210
3	23	Alexander Albon		1:52.794	1:52.455	+3.024
4	1	Artem Markelov		1:52.878	1:52.738	+3.307
5	29	Roger Ibe		1:53.004	1:52.769	+3.338
6	37	Victoria Desai		1:53.262	1:53.357	+3.831
7	70	Pastor Maldonado		1:53.607	1:53.389	+3.958
8	39	Sho Tsuboi		1:53.994	1:53.626	+4.195
9	26	Robert Shwartzman		1:53.763	1:53.872	+4.332
10	33	Max Verstappen		1:54.181	1:53.768	+4.337
11	20	Kevin Magnussen		1:54.687	1:53.840	+4.409
12	18	Sebastian Vettel		1:54.315	1:53.911	+4.480
13	47	Lando Norris		1:54.295	1:54.083	+4.652
14	77	Valtteri Bottas		1:54.710	1:54.164	+4.733
15	4	Robin Frijns		1:54.308	1:54.240	+4.809
16	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1:54.735	1:54.493	+5.062
17	31	Esteban Ocon		1:55.581	1:55.309	+5.878
18	11	Terry Hawkin		1:55.553	1:55.602	+6.122
19	95	Beitske Visser		1:57.352	1:56.744	+7.313
20	46	Alessandro Cicognani		1:57.506	1:57.429	+7.998
21	56	Sabrina Mann		1:57.750	1:57.783	+8.319
22	23	Théo Pourchaire		1:58.301	1:58.137	+8.742
23	7	Charles Leclerc		1:59.638	1:59.719	+10.207
24	84	Jack Aitken		2:01.014	2:00.768	+11.337

Report:

As the championship conclusion draws near, the Belgian Grand Prix was eagerly awaited after over a month of no Formula 1 competition. In particular the championship hunt has drawn close attention, now that we are in the final stage.

On that front, Victoria Desai managed to report back with a fine second place. Taking two points out of the lead of championship leader Sebastian Vettel, she will still need help from somewhere else to be at the top of the mountain.

However, the race victory went to Pastor Maldonado – his third. With that he joins Roger Ibe as the driver with the most wins in this season and history will have to ponder what could have been had Williams immediately went all-in on the 2019 champion.

Further success stories can be found down in the top 10, George Russell secures his third consecutive points finish and both Loonmotors managed to get into the points. P9 in the championship standing is all but secure for Loonmotor.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Points
1	70	Pastor Maldonado		53:10.716	15
2	37	Victoria Desai		+10.467	12
3	18	Sebastian Vettel		+28.761	10
4	26	Robert Shwartzman		+34.435	8
5	29	Roger Ibe		+50.452	6
6	63	George Russell		+58.641	5
7	20	Kevin Magnussen		+78.103	4
8	14	Esteban Ocon		+81.309	3
9	95	Beitske Visser		+93.450	2
10	46	Alessandro Cicognani		+118.165	1
11	57	Sabrina Mann		1 Lap
12	7	Charles Leclerc		1 Lap
13	4	Robin Frijns		1 Lap
14	85	Jack Aitken		1 Lap
15	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1 Lap
DNF	57	Dean Stoneman		Oil Leak
DNF	11	Terry Hawkin		Loose Wheel
DNF	1	Artem Markelov		Electrical
DNF	27	Théo Pourchaire		Puncture
DNF	23	Alexander Albon		Suspension
DNF	47	Lando Norris		Transmission
DNF	33	Max Verstappen		Loose Wheel
DNF	77	Valtteri Bottas		Transmission
DNF	39	Sho Tsuboi		Collision

Fastest Lap:

Pastor Maldonado – 1:56.785

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Loonmotor-Judd – only needed very little help to score points at their home Grand Prix.

Reject Of The Race:

Red Bull-Ferrari – neither car was properly assembled and it caused Max Verstappen’s retirement.