The F1 Belgian GP weekend at Spa-Francorchamps turned out to be a sad weekend but the race gave way some interesting statistics.
Already on the on-set of the F1 Belgian GP weekend, Ferrari looked the stronger of the two as the Italian manufacturer’s straightline advantage helped it have an edge over Mercedes and the rest of the field.
It eased in to register a 1-2 on Saturday with Charles Leclerc ahead of Sebastian Vettel and the Sunday’s race was in favour of Ferrari as well, with Leclerc registering his first career F1 win.
Mercedes, though, fought back to end up second and third with Lewis Hamilton ahead of Valtteri Bottas as Vettel’s lack of pace put him in fourth from Red Bull Racing’s Alexander Albon – on his debut for the team.
Racing Point’s Sergio was back in points too, to be sixth from Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat as late retirements shuffled the field behind, with Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg eighth, Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly ninth and Racing Point’s Lance Stroll 10th.
Here’s some key statistics and information from the F1 Belgian GP weekend:
- Leclerc registered his first F1 career win in Belgian GP. He became the 108th different winner and first new winner since Max Verstappen.
- Leclerc is the third youngest winner at 21 years and 320 days after Verstappen and Vettel.
- Ferrari had its 235th F1 win, first in 2019 F1 season and had its 18th Belgian GP victory.
- Hamilton scored his 145th career F1 podium, Bottas his 40th and Leclerc his sixth. Mercedes had its 200th podium finish.
- Leclerc scored his third F1 career pole, Vettel had his 38th fastest lap.
- Albon scored his best result in F1 with P5 finish on his debut for Red Bull. He moved to 10th in the standings from 15th in the championship. Both Albon and Kvyat gained 12 places in the race.
- Verstappen had his first retirement of 2019 F1 season and his first since 2018 Hungarian GP. His 21-race streak started from 2018 Belgian GP and ended in 2019 event, with no finish under Top 5 as well.
- Hamilton continued his consecutive points finish streak with 25 races now since the 2018 British GP. (This record stands provided the FIA doesn’t change the 2019 German GP results).
- Williams only team to have 100 percent finishing record, with Hamilton, Vettel, Raikkonen along with George Russell and Robert Kubica, the only drivers in the list.
- Perez ended up sixth which was his first points finish since Azerbaijan GP, where as well he was sixth. It was also Racing Point’s first double points finish since that race.
- McLaren had its first double non-points finish since Canadian GP, where as well they were classified as 11th and DNF.
- There were only two classified retirements in the race, that were Verstappen and Sainz. Norris and Giovinazzi did not finish but were classified 11th and 18th respectively.
- No penalty points were given in Belgian GP, but 12 grid penalties were given out for gearbox and power unit changes.
The stats were compiled by Jack Elleker and Darshan Chokhani