Verstappen extends stunning streak with Belgian GP masterclass

Max Verstappen underlined his brilliance with an eighth-successive F1 victory at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The Dutchman started sixth following a gearbox change at the start of the weekend but scythed through the order to finish 22.3 seconds ahead of teammate Sergio Perez at Spa-Francorchamps.

Charles Leclerc secured his third podium of the season - all during Sprint weekends - in what was a lonely race in his Ferrari as Red Bull asserted its dominance before the summer break.

Verstappen brilliance

Leclerc stood firm off the line as Perez ducked and weaved to find a way through at La Source, causing a bottleneck behind the front-row starters.

Carlos Sainz misjudged his braking zone and was forced into evasive action to stop contact between his Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes - instead squeezing Oscar Piastri's McLaren into the wall.

Terminal damage left Piastri stranded between Fagnes and Stavelot and out of the race, unable to replicate the stunning Sprint result from Saturday.

Whilst Sainz would later retire by virtue of his damage, Lecerc was instantly under attack from Perez on the run to Les Combes - the Mexican securing the lead at the end of the Kemmel Straight.

Verstappen was already up to fourth by the end of the first lap and was stalking Leclerc and Hamilton for a podium spot.

When the seven-time champion fell out of the one-second DRS detection window behind Leclerc, that was all the invitation Verstappen needed to make his way past into Les Combes.

Leclerc was the next victim three laps later, this time forcing the championship leader to the outside for the first part of the chicane.

By the time Red Bull made their first pit stops, Verstappen was within three seconds of Perez's lead - a gap that shortened when the latter was stationary for a second extra as the left-rear wheel stuck during the switching process.

On lap 17 the move was made, Verstappen easing past his teammate on the Kemmel Straight.

A small rain shower mid-race threatened to spice up proceedings, though no change to slicks was needed as it quickly abated.

It wasn't all happy families for Red Bull, however, as Verstappen and race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase were constantly involved in heated radio conversations - the two-time champion urged to 'use his head' on numerous occasions.

But Verstappen ultimately took a commanding victory with Perez and Leclerc securing podium finishes, with Hamilton the only other in touch with second and third.

Top 10

Fernando Alonso finished a much-improved fifth for Aston Martin ahead of one-stopping George Russell.

Lando Norris overcame a number of issues in his McLaren to recover to seventh, ahead of Alpine's Esteban Ocon.

Lance Stroll fought off Yuki Tsunoda for ninth, though the AlphaTauri driver made a welcome return to the points - only the third time this year he has finished in the top 10.

Pierre Gasly was 11th a day after finishing third in the Sprint, with Alfa Romeo duo Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu behind.

Alex Albon's heroic overtaking manoeuvres were celebrated with only 14th - the Williams driver emulating Mika Hakkinen's three-wide move from 2000 when overtaking Norris and Ocon, before going around the outside of a Haas at Blanchimont late in the race.

Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo, Logan Sargeant and Nico Hulkenberg completed the field.