LECLERC DEDICATES FIRST WIN TO HUBERT
"Since I was a child I’ve been looking up to Formula 1, dreaming to be first a Formula 1 driver, which happened last year, then driving for Ferrari this year, and then the first win today. It’s a good day, but on the other hand, as I said, losing Anthoine yesterday brings me back to 2005, my first ever French championship. There was him, Esteban [Ocon], Pierre [Gasly] and myself. We were four kids that were dreaming of Formula 1. We grew up in karting for many, many years, and to lose him yesterday was a big shock for me but obviously for everyone in motorsport, so it was a very sad day." - Charles Leclerc.
Charles Leclerc has at last won his first F1 race at the legendary Spa circuit in Belgium - however spirits for victory where dampened by the passing of a friend in Anthoine Hubert. Not only was it a first victory for Leclerc but also for Ferrari in 2019. In what was a dominant race and the perfect way to break the winning streak of Mercedes.
There was drama from start to finish in the first race back since the summer break with retirements from 'home' favourite Verstappen not even making it all the way up Eau Rouge after a first corner collision with the Alfa Romeo of Raikkonen, and with both McLaren's not completing the whole race with Sainz retiring in the first half of the race and then a last lap engine issue for Norris which meant he only managed 43 of the 44 laps around the great circuit.
This race was the beginning of what could turn out to be a successful Red Bull career for Alex Albon taking home a career best fifth place after some fantastic moves on fellow drivers to get himself up the order. At one point passing the man he replaced in [Pierre] Gasly and then former Red Bull driver [Daniel] Ricciardo.
In other news this race weekend we found out that Mercedes would extend the contract of Bottas to another year with a possible extra year on top of what has already been offered. Along with this two other seats where filled with Perez taking the second seat at Racing Point as they stay with current line up for next year with Perez and Stroll and then news came from Renault that Esteban Ocon would team up with Ricciardo for 2020 pushing out Hulkenberg who is now most likely going to end up at HAAS after Perez confirmed his seat for next year.
The championship after 13 rounds is as follows;
1. Hamilton: 268 (+18)
2. Bottas: 203 (+ 15)
3. Verstappen: 181 (+0)
4. Vettel: 169 (+12)
5. Leclerc: 157 (+25)
The next round is at Monza, Italy.