Charles Leclerc took his maiden Formula One victory at the Belgian Grand Prix. At an emotional meeting, over which the death of F2 driver Anthoine Hubert hung heavily, Leclerc delivered an exceptional, mature, controlled drive for Ferrari to take the flag for the first time in the 2019 F1 season.
Lewis Hamilton was second for Mercedes with his teammate Valtteri Bottas third. Sebastian Vettel was in fourth with Alexander Albon in fifth on his Red Bull debut.
Less than 24 hours after Leclerc's French motor racing contemporary, Anthoine Hubert, was killed at the Spa-Francorchamps venue, the young Monegasque driver delivered a dominant display to take the chequered flag in his friend's honour.
Lewis Hamilton finished second after fighting his way past Sebastian Vettel with 12 laps remaining. Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas also managed to see off Vettel after the Ferrari driver was forced to make an additional stop for tyres.
Hamilton extended his lead over Bottas in the championship to 65 points.
"This one is for Anthoine," said an emotional Leclerc on the radio.
On one hand, I’ve got a dream since being a child that has been realised but on the other hand, it has been a very difficult weekend and we have lost a friend first of all. It is very difficult in these situations. I would like to dedicate my first win to him, we have grown up together – my first ever race was with Anthoine – and it is just such a shame what happened. I can’t enjoy fully my first victory but I will keep this memory forever said after the race Charles Leclerc.
The final word should go to race winner Charles Leclerc, who dedicated his first F1 victory to Anthoine Hubert, who tragically died on Saturday.
No comments:
Post a Comment