FERRARI’S CHARLES Leclerc claimed an emotional maiden Formula One victory at the Belgian Grand Prix on a weekend overshadowed by the death of F2 driver Anthoine Hubert.
Hubert, 22, died on Saturday after he was involved in a multi-car collision during the feature F2 event at Spa, the news prompting a host of tributes from the world of motorsport.
Sunday’s F1 race was preceded by a minute’s silence in honour of the young Frenchman, while there was a standing ovation 19 laps into the race in reference to the number of Hubert.
Leclerc, a year younger than Hubert, started on pole as part of a Ferrari 1-2 and ultimately finished first ahead of the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, with Sebastian Vettel forced to settle for fourth.
Hamilton closed in quickly over the final laps, but Leclerc — racing with ‘RIP Tonio’ on his helmet — was a deserving winner by 0.981 seconds.
The race winner pulled clear of Vettel following an early stint under the safety car brought about by Max Verstappen’s first-lap retirement.
Vettel benefited significantly from the fact he pitted six laps earlier than Leclerc, the German briefly taking the lead from his Ferrari colleague.
However, Leclerc boasted much greater pace in the laps that immediately followed his stop and was allowed to retake first place as Vettel followed team orders by allowing his faster team-mate through on lap 27.
Leclerc duly re-established a comfortable advantage and his hopes of victory were boosted as Vettel held up a surging Hamilton for a few laps before being passed.
Ferrari opted to bring Vettel in for a second stop soon after, lifting Bottas on to the podium, and Hamilton’s late charge was not enough as Leclerc held on.
IN THE POINTS
1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +0.981secs
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) +12.585s
4. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) +26.422s
5. Alexander Albon (Red Bull) +1 min, 21.325s
6. Sergio Perez (Racing Point) + 1 min, 24.448s
7. Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) +1 min, 29.657s
8. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) +1 min, 46.639s
9. Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso) +1min, 49.168s
10. Lance Stroll (Racing Point) +1min, 49.838s
DRIVER STANDINGS
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 268
2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 203 (-65)
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 181 (-87)
4. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 169 (-99)
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 157 (-111)
CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS
1. Mercedes 471
2. Ferrari 326 (-145)
3. Red Bull 254 (-217)
4. McLaren 82 (-389)
5. Renault 51 (-420)
WHAT’S NEXT?
Ferrari are expected to display good pace once again when Monza hosts next week’s Italian Grand Prix.
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I’d never even pretend to be much of a football fan, but when this crisis is over I’ll make a point of going to a couple of games. Might only be 15-20€ for a ticket but multiply that by 500 people and it would be a great help to any LOI club.
@Con Al: That’s about the same cost of three pints in Cork city it’s not a huge amount , few beers before and find a nice beer garden after. Football and beer on a Friday evening what more can you ask for..
@Con Al: not all hero’s wear capes
@Con Al: i used to love going to the Cross when i loved in Cork. Always had a good time.wish locals would support the club more. It’s nothing but a plus for the city to have a successful club going well.
@Con Al: you won’t be disappointed Con. I’ve been bringing my son to rovers home games for the last year and a half. We love spending Friday nights watching good football in a great atmosphere. From epic games against Dundalk and Bohs to sunshine drenched euro games, nothing beats being there as the action unfolds. If only more people knew the joy of watching live football. I’m a lifelong Liverpool fan, but I enjoy going to live games as much as watching Liverpool now. It’s great to support your local team.
They can call it what they like. It will always be referred to as “The Cross”. Or for oldies like myself, The Box.
I’m the meantime maybe it would be an idea to rename the Delaney Stand. Just saying like…
The English Market Turners Cross.
Great club, Irish football needs them, hope they get through these difficult times.
The Double Cross
The Kellogg’s box
Try to get Ford involved nothing better than a load of yanks with roots to Cork owning a football club. Surely Clonakilty Pudding could step in, and get a tax relief from the gov.