The day Leclerc stamped his authority on Ferrari and Vettel
After squandering a host of opportunities so far in 2019, Ferrari finally broke its Formula 1 win duck in Belgium. What’s more, by claiming his first career grand prix victory Charles Leclerc might have established himself as the Scuderia’s top dog.
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The 2019 Belgian Grand Prix might prove to be the moment Charles Leclerc decisively stamped his authority over team-mate Sebastian Vettel by claiming his first Formula 1 victory to make Ferrari his team. But perversely, it was also a race Leclerc owed partly to Vettel’s contribution after a far more slender triumph than his qualifying supremacy suggested.
Leclerc drove superbly throughout the Spa weekend, in the race particularly given he had Lewis Hamilton bearing down on him in the tense closing laps. The tragic loss of Formula 2 ace Anthoine Hubert a day earlier made it even more impressive, and it was only right and proper that he dedicated this victory to his friend and rival. But had Vettel not played his part over five crucial laps, Hamilton would surely have snatched victory despite Ferrari’s straightline speed advantage.
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