The gap is more blatant every race, so better take a vacation. Four weeks to rest from this supremacy of Max Verstappen, whose tone of mockery already irritates excessively. They ignored him, of course.. And if they laughed at him, it was with their mouths covered. At Red Bull they have to save face.

But Verstappen, sixth on the grid, claimed his tenth victory of 2023 with the same ease with which he had won the sprint on Saturday. Or with which he embarrassed his partner and Leclerc, who at least was able to scratch the third podium of the year for Ferrari. His biggest setback of the weekend was the warning from the stewards for burning rubber on the straight while his mechanics celebrated.

In fifth place, Fernando Alonso reached the goal, with a performance as dignified as a lack of expectations. The day the McLaren failed, the Asturian finished more than 20 seconds behind Lewis Hamilton, with whom he still maintains a minimal advantage in the World Cup. To narrow the fight even more, the Mercedes leader signed up for the fastest lap bonus at the last minute (1:47.305). During the summer break, Aston Martin has to rearrange its ideas if it wants to disturb the favorites again.

Sainz had to leave

Carlos Sainz left Spa empty, with his fifth retirement in nine participations. At the start he was too optimistic against Oscar Piastri and had to block the tires on arrival at Le Source. Given the lack of space, the inevitable friction caused damage to both cars. More immediate for the McLaren, forced to say goodbye. With the right sidepod open in a channel, the Ferrari had to continue, barely holding Alonso, who with the medium tire had climbed three positions to sixth place.

Aston Martin had to take advantage of the McLaren debacle, bled by its speed deficit on the straights, and the gap left by Sainz, whom they abandoned for 23 laps, absurdly wearing out the engine. An unnecessary ordeal.

With two podium places awarded in advance, Alonso needed a mistake from Leclerc or Hamilton. The Monegasque, starting from pole position, could not oppose Pérez on the Kemmel straight. Nine laps later, his inferiority at Les Combes proved even more disgraceful to Verstappen.

The Red Bull, unbeatable

In the Aston Martin computers, mere survival was considered good and Alonso mounted the hard tire on the eleventh lap. Two later, Red Bull respected the hierarchy of the provisional leader, even though his name was Pérez. Of course, with 3.2 seconds of delay in the pit-stop he gave up eight tenths in front of Verstappen. It was the usual procedure and the fiery 'Mad Max', with new tires, set a couple of stratospheric laps (1:50.696 and 1:50.108) to lead the race.

The time had come to look up at the sky and the weather radars. A few lurches at the exit of Raidillon had gone free to Hamilton, while George Russell, Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll could save a stop thanks to the rain. It seemed the 40% pre-start forecasts had fallen short as even Verstappen caught his breath after skidding on a curb at Eau Rouge.

The umbrellas were opened in the stands, but both Aston Martin and Mercedes placed dry shoes for Stroll and Russell. So much cacare for nothing. At the moment the first rays of the sun appeared, any hint of emotion vanished. Or had to dig into details.

Like that detail of Alonso, slowing down Hamilton when the seven-time champion launched himself with soft tires in pursuit of Leclerc. Russell, with an aerodynamic configuration that prevented him from competing on the straights, could not worry the Spaniard. When Fernando crossed the finish line, 55 seconds behind the winner, Red Bull was already celebrating its fifth double of the course.