Max Verstappen did not merely win the Belgian Grand Prix, he rendered his millionaire opponents as helpless as L-plate learners. From 14th on the grid, the world champion scythed through the field to win by 18 seconds. Up to second when Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who started on pole and finished third, pitted. By his second stop on lap 30, Verstappen was 27 seconds ahead of the rest, allowing him to re-emerge from the pits still in front. ‘To be fighting for the lead by lap 18 was beyond any of our predictions.’. Verstappen himself said it was probably the most complete drive of his career.

Follow MotorMouth on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•