During the closing laps of the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa on July 27, Charles Leclerc sharply told his race engineer to “leave me alone” as he battled with Max Verstappen for third place. The Monegasque driver was under intense pressure from the Red Bull racer, prompting frustration when informed of Verstappen’s closing gap.
Leclerc had secured third position on the starting grid by narrowly outqualifying Verstappen by just 0.003 seconds. This crucial advantage allowed him to hold off Verstappen at the race start and maintain his position throughout the event.
Pressure Mounts as Verstappen Closes In Following Leclerc’s Mistake
In the race‘s final phase, Leclerc locked up the brakes approaching the bus stop chicane, enabling Verstappen to reduce the gap to less than a second. At this point, race engineer Bryan Bozzi relayed the time difference over team radio.
“Verstappen 1.2 seconds behind,” said Bozzi.
Leclerc’s response was sharp and emphatic as he expressed his desire for fewer updates.
“Leave me alone please. I can have no information, then when he’s getting close I have too much information. Keep it constant, don’t worry.”
This radio exchange highlighted Leclerc’s focus and frustration under the intense pressure of maintaining his position.
Race Dynamics: Ferrari’s Strong Pace withstanding Verstappen’s Challenge
Early in the race, when all drivers ran on intermediate tires, Verstappen applied consistent pressure on Leclerc but was unable to overtake along the Kemmel straight, even closely following the Ferrari through Eau Rouge at one point. As conditions improved and the track dried, Leclerc’s pace increased significantly compared to the Dutch driver.
Following pit stops, Leclerc managed to create a comfortable gap that kept Verstappen out of DRS reach. He ultimately finished the race in third place, securing a podium behind race winner Oscar Piastri and runner-up Lando Norris.
Leclerc Reflects on Challenging Battle and Podium Outcome
After the race, Leclerc described his effort as a difficult but vital performance to keep Verstappen behind, marking his fifth podium of the 2025 Formula 1 season. He emphasized how maintaining position in the race’s early wet conditions was crucial.
“Max was behind the whole race within 2 seconds. I knew the first part of the race was the trickiest as we didn’t have the downforce in the rain,” said Leclerc. “Luckily it dried up quickly, and then the pace was good. I’m happy we managed to keep the third place,” he said.
Upgrades and Team Efforts Highlighted by Leclerc
Leclerc also spoke positively about the new developments Ferrari introduced for the Belgian GP weekend, noting they performed as expected. He credited the team at the Maranello factory for their diligent work in preparing the upgrades that contributed to the strong race pace.
Significance of the Battle and What Lies Ahead
Leclerc’s ability to fend off Verstappen during this tightly contested battle at Spa highlights the ongoing competitiveness between Ferrari and Red Bull in the 2025 season. Maintaining podium finishes under pressure is crucial for Leclerc’s championship aspirations, especially against the reigning world champion. The developments seen in Belgium suggest Ferrari’s ongoing improvements could challenge Red Bull’s dominance as the season progresses.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Max Verstappen a millionaire?
A. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Verstappen’s wealth is believed to be around $200 million.
Q. Is Max Verstappen rich?
A. Max Verstappen has earned $217 million (£163 million). He joined the Red Bull Racing team in 2016 and quickly stood out. He became the F1 world champion in 2021. This win highlighted his standing as a top driver. He went on to clinch the title again in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Q. What is Max Verstappen’s baby gender?
A. Max Verstappen and his girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, had a baby girl on Saturday and named her Lily. Christian Horner, the Red Bull team leader, said that Lily’s birth wouldn’t affect Verstappen’s racing performance.
Q. What gender is Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Verstappen and Piquet recently shared the news that they have a baby daughter named Lily. Before the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, they announced they were expecting. Lily becomes a younger sister to Piquet’s other daughter, Penelope.