At the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix held at Spa-Francorchamps, Max Verstappen’s performance drew sharp criticism from 1996 World Champion Damon Hill, who described it as “very disappointing.” Despite Red Bull’s recent upgrades to their RB21 car, Verstappen was unable to improve on his qualifying position, finishing fourth behind McLaren’s front runners and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The race’s wet conditions and resulting delays played a key role in the outcome, impacting Verstappen’s chances to capitalize on his strategy.
Strategic Choices and Race Developments Affecting Results
Red Bull arrived at Spa with significant aerodynamic enhancements, including a new floor introduced earlier in Austria, which contributed to Verstappen’s Sprint race victory by holding off the McLarens. However, during qualifying, McLaren secured a strong front row one-two lockout while Verstappen qualified fourth, opting for a car setup suited to the forecasted wet conditions.
The anticipated rain did arrive, but the lengthy 80-minute delay and quick shift back to dry tires within eight laps meant Verstappen’s gamble did not pay off. He was unable to advance from his starting position, with Leclerc maintaining a podium finish by keeping close to the McLarens.
Damon Hill’s Perspective on Leclerc and Verstappen’s Performance
On the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, Damon Hill acknowledged Leclerc’s skill in defending his position against Verstappen amid tough competition:
“Charles couldn’t fight the [McLarens], he could keep ahead of the Red Bull though,”
—Damon Hill, 1996 World Champion
“That’s a Red Bull with upgrades as well, with Max Verstappen driving at Spa. You really would put money on Max getting past him, wouldn’t you? So, he’d done a fantastic job there in the Ferrari. He’s able to use that car to keep himself ahead of Max.”
—Damon Hill, 1996 World Champion
Despite Hill’s praise for Leclerc, when prompted by F1 commentator Harry Benjamin about expectations, Hill sarcastically described Verstappen’s race as below par. Benjamin had noted that he anticipated more from Verstappen, given his history of success at Spa, including a remarkable win from fourteenth on the grid in 2022.
Implications Following the Belgian Grand Prix
Max Verstappen’s Belgian GP performance has sparked debate about his consistency under challenging conditions, especially given his previous dominance at Spa. While Verstappen’s fourth-place finish prevented any points loss, it did not meet the high expectations set by both his team’s recent upgrades and his past results at the circuit.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc’s resilient drive signals Ferrari’s ongoing progress and ability to challenge Red Bull, potentially influencing championship dynamics as the season progresses. Observers and analysts will be watching Verstappen closely in coming races to see if he can overcome the setbacks experienced at Spa-Francorchamps.