Image copyright: Getty Images
2021 Formula 1 World Championship
Round 12
Belgian Grand Prix
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot
29 August 2021
Red Bull Racing-Honda driver Max Verstappen will look to bounce back when the
2021 Formula 1 World Championship hosts Round 12, the Belgian Grand Prix, at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot on Sunday 29 August.
After Red Bull racked up five straight wins (four of them for Verstappen) from the Monaco GP in May to the Austrian GP in early July, the Dutchman and the Austrian team appeared to be in complete control of the Drivers’ and Constructors’ title races.
Image copyright: Getty Images
However, their luck turned at the British GP when Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton collided with Verstappen and forced him into a massive crash and retirement (with the British driver going on to win the race). The following race at Hungary saw Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas cause a multi-car pile-up which took out Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and heavily damaged Verstappen’s car.
He could only limp home to ninth place, while Hamilton stormed to second with a great recovery drive and thereby opened an eight-point lead over the Dutch pilot at the top of the standings, while Mercedes have a 12-point advantage over their rivals in Constructors’ terms.
Heading into Belgium after a four-week break, Verstappen insists there is a long way to go in the season: “
We've had two very unfortunate races but nothing is lost yet, it's still a very long season.”
Image copyright: Getty Images
The Dutchman continued,
"My goal is to win the championship, for me that's all that matters. [Spa-Francorchamps] is my favourite circuit on the calendar and it's always fun to drive there. I hope we can get a good result, but I'll just enjoy driving the laps."
Verstappen has yet to win at the Belgian GP, though he has been on the podium twice, finishing third at the 2020 and 2018 races.
2021 F1 World Championship standings: Drivers, top 5
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 195 points
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing-Honda), 187
3. Lando Norris (McLaren-Mercedes), 113
4. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), 108
5. Sergio Perez (Red Bull Racing-Honda), 104
2021 F1 World Championship standings: Constructors, top 5
1. Mercedes, 303 points
2. Red Bull Racing-Honda, 291
3. Ferrari, 163
4. McLaren-Mercedes, 163
5. Alpine-Renault, 77
Bet on Motorsports with Betway
Get your engines revinng with
Betway Ghana and a selection of top motorsports betting. Click
HERE to register a new account, and take advantage of our 50% first deposit offer up to GHS 200 in Free Bets which you can use to
bet on Formula 1, MotoGP, NASCAR, or any other sport of your choice.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.