 ©AMG Mercedes media George Russell wins the Belgium grand prix after holding off his teammate lewis Hamilton and the Papaya of Oscar Piastri, too top the final podium before the summer break. An impressive one stop strategy sends Russell over the line with tyres 34 laps old. TOP 10
A much sunnier day after a wet weather quali yesterday as the tack has heated up to 43 degrees celsius. Majority of the field have opted for mediums, Sainz and Zhou on hards while Ricciardo is the odd one out on softs. Mclaren, Mercedes and Ferrari hoped to maximise points today as Max Verstappen starts down in p11 after a 10 place grid penalty for fitting a replacement engine, Albon, Ocon and Alonso will be watching for the Dutch driver in their mirrors as they start ahead of him.  ©ScuderiaFerrari Charles Leclerc manages to stay ahead by Hamilton passes Perez and starts hunting down the race lead. Behind Norris has a rough start loses 3 places after dipping his wheels into the gravel but Verstappen is already up to eighth. Only 3 laps in and Hamilton takes the lead from the Monegasque, the four time spa winner has immense experience making it difficult for Leclerc to do much else. DRS is opened but the kick Sauber of Zhou is slowing down, as the green car limps round the for the following few laps before pulling into retire on lap 7 with Hydraulic issue's being the cause. An issue that retried Alpine in the previous two race's. Norris holding off Verstappen as both have DRS, but being stuck behind Sainz is causing issues as their hard compounds struggle. Redbull opt for an undercut to get round Norris on lap 12. Verstappen pitting produces a ripple effect as Hamilton, Leclerc, Perez, Piastri and Russell follow leaving Lando and Sainz out. Norris is in a few laps later after maxing out his tyres, by lap 17 Sainz is still leading with Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri and Perez following. Further back Williams, Alpine, Hulkenberg and Ricciardo have already pitted. Sainz runs wide going into the gravel on all four wheels, damaging the gap he had produced, but he manages to get control again. It isn't until lap 21 that Sainz pits from the lead after switching to 'plan B'.
10 laps to go and George Russell is now the race leader, following a slow 4.4s pitstop from Oscar Piastri, Russell going for a 1 stop strategy as he hopes to go 33 laps on his hards. His teammate, Hamilton is +6 behind him as Mercedes are looking for a 1-2 here at Spa. The final spot on the podium has Piastri was closing in on Leclerc, the Aussie l in the stronger position with fresher tyres completes lets the overtake and is up into third. 1-2 in the championship, are behind in 5th and 6th battling who can get the most points, Norris currently with the fastest lap but in a Redbull Sandwich. Into the closing laps Ricciardo is now up into the points as Norris is in reaching distance of DRS and Max Verstappen, continuing to take the fastest lap. Max Verstappen also in reach of Charles Leclerc who had hopes of a podium today after inheriting pole. Potential DRS train incoming. The Mercedes however have allowed their boys to race it out for the win now Hamiltons caught up with his fellow Brit. With the Mercs battling it out Piastri is closing in on the pair with 2 laps to go.
Bronwen Jones 
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