Belgium: post-race analysis 2022

Worth noting this was not a classic, though the bet did come off. 

Most cars started on the medium with the Ferraris and Verstappen on the soft.

From the line, Sainz had a great getaway and Perez left the handbrake on, getting passed by Alonso and Hamilton, in that order. Come the end of the straight Hamilton tried passing the Spaniard but didn’t leave enough space, causing contact. This put Perez back into second, cost Alonso a few places, and meant Hamilton went out on lap 1 (it was his fault, as he acknowledged, but he didn’t get a penalty).

This may well have necessitated a full safety car anyway, but it emerged shortly after Latifi (shockingly) spun after getting too close to gravel. Bottas took evasive action but this beached him on the gravel while the gyrating Canadian managed to keep going. Rough luck for the Finn. 

This safety car was very handy for Verstappen and Leclerc, both of whom had been making good progress although the Monegasque had some trademark bad luck when he had to pit (turned out a tear-off had gotten trapped in his wheel). 

For the most part, this was the beginning and end of race drama. The DRS was generally too powerful (the slippery Williams of Albon aside) and Verstappen’s utter dominance was such he could’ve won from 20^th. On top of that, Russell was getting close to Sainz for the final podium spot but cocked up a late lap and had to settle for 4^th (Perez was 2^nd).

Ferrari did their best to self-harm, pitting Leclerc late on for a soft tyre fastest lap attempt only to have him emerge behind Alonso, though luckily the Ferrari was able to make its way past the Alpine. And, checking the notes, it turns out pit lane speeding landed him a time penalty, putting him behind Alonso after all. Marvellous. Ferrari were always going to struggle against the Red Bull, but they’re lucky Hamilton wasn’t in the race or they would’ve had an even tougher time.

Behind Alonso and Leclercwe have Ocon, so a very tasty result for Alpine overall, with Vettel impressive in 8^th. Gasly was 9^th and Albon got the final point, holding on despite the DRS train behind him. 

So, not a great race, but a huge success for Red Bull. Another below par result for Leclerc. And while Hamilton was unlucky he was the last of the top 6 chaps not to have a DNF (and it was the result of his own error).

Verstappen has this title, barring catastrophe.

Behind him, it’s closer. We’re in the middle of a thick and fast three race streak, with the Netherlands next weekend and Monza one week after that. Mercedes looked a third team in qualifying but in the race Russell could’ve taken the final podium spot from Sainz.

The other teams need to up their game next year or we’re going to see Verstappen dominate the sport.

 

Morris Dancer