SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (Belgium): Charles Leclerc dedicated his maiden Formula One victory at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday to his late friend, Anthoine Hubert on an emotional day at a sombre SpaFrancorchamps. The Ferrari driver’s landmark success came in the aftermath of 22year-old Frenchman Hubert’s death in Saturday’s tragic Formula Two race. Leclerc led almost the entire race from pole to hold off Mercedes’ defending five time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s dramatic late charge by one second. “My first victory in F1 and this one is for Anthoine,” he said on the team radio.
“It feels good, but it’s difficult to enjoy on a weekend like this. But thanks guys, you are the best — it’s a dream come true.” After what he described as “a very difficult weekend” he added: “I have lost a friend and I want to dedicate this victory to him. “We grew up together and my first race I did it with Anthoine, Esteban (Ocon) and Pierre (Gasly). “I cannot enjoy my first victory, but it will definitely be a memory I will keep forever.”
Congratulations to Charles for his first win — he’s had it coming all year.” Red Bull new boy Alex Albon came home fifth for Red Bull, after luckless British rookie Lando Norris’s McLaren had stopped with one lap remaining, ahead of Sergio Perez of Racing Point, Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso and Nico Hulkenberg of Renault. Pierre Gasly came home ninth on his return to the Toro Rosso team and Lance Stroll 10th in the second Racing Point. The race took place in a sombre atmosphere at the dramatic
and spectacular Ardennes circuit. – AFP
