Hungary saw yet another masterful display by Team Red Bull. Max Verstappen picked up his seventh win in a row and Red Bull got win number 12 on the year. That 12th win officially sets the record for consecutive F1 wins in a single season.
And there's no slowdown in sight.
Verstappen is favored to win in Belgium and teammate Sergio Perez (+1100) is third on the oddsboards after Lando Norris (+900).
Who Will Win The 2023 Belgian Grand Prix?
| Driver | Odds |
|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | -360 |
| Lando Norris | +900 |
| Sergio Perez | +1100 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +1400 |
| Oscar Piastri | +2200 |
| George Russell | +2500 |
| Charles Leclerc | +2500 |
| Carlos Sainz | +3500 |
| Fernando Alonso | +5000 |
| Lance Stroll | +25000 |
Odds as of July 26
Why Is Max Verstappen Favored To Win 2023 Belgian GP?
I mean why wouldn't he be? We're talking about the driver who's on a current seven-race winning streak, who's finished no lower than second the entire season, someone who's posted the fastest lap in six of 11 races and earned a pole position in seven races.
He's just ridiculously dominant at the moment.
In Belgium, he's won in back-to-back years now. Sure, that 2022 win is debatable but it's still his so it counts.
And let's not forget what Verstappen is driving. The RB19 is without a doubt the best car to have graced F1 tracks in a long time. We saw its power in Hungary last weekend where Verstappen posted the fastest lap (1:20.504) and fastest average speed (195.910 km/h). That's a full second and almost 3 km/h faster than the next fastest lap in Lewis Hamilton.
There's no reason to think he's going to lose this weekend.
2023 Belgian GP Value Picks
Ok, but on the off chance that Verstappen can't race in Belgium or is forced to retire early who can win the Spa-Francorchamps?
Sergio Perez (+1100)
He's driving the same RB19 as Max Verstappen and he's picked up a massive confidence boost after last weekend's performance. The Mexican driver managed to push his way from eighth to third and even challenged Lando Norris for second.
📰: Sergio Perez's impressive podium finish at the Hungarian GP is hailed as a 'statement drive' by Martin Brundle amid uncertainties over his Red Bull future. Perez's determined and aggressive performance boosts his confidence and reputation.#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/YjVUOX8PTo
— F1 Naija 🇳🇬 (@f1_naija) July 25, 2023
Perez is the only driver not named Verstappen to win this year. If Max either can't race or can't finish Perez is the easy favorite to win.
Lewis Hamilton (+1400)
The English driver has done well at the Spa-Francorchamps. In his last 10 runs on this course, he's won it three times and has finished on the podium eight times.
And sure, he's not driving that powerful RB19, but Mercedes' W14 has shown some considerable power lately. In Hungary, their car was just a hair slower than the Red Bull car.
If they can put out the same power in Belgium Hamilton will push Verstappen for a win. You'll see below that Mercedes knows how to win here.
Belgian Grand Prix Last 10 Winners
| Year | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:25:52.894 |
| 2021 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 3:27.027* |
| 2020 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:24:08.761 |
| 2019 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:23:45.710 |
| 2018 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | 1:23:34.476 |
| 2017 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:24:42.820 |
| 2016 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | 1:44:51.058 |
| 2015 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:23:40.387 |
| 2014 | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull | 1:24:36.556 |
| 2013 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | 1:23:42.196 |
Only one lap (not under caution) was completed
Remember what I said about Mercedes? They, and Red Bull, share the most wins at four. You have to consider that record when handicapping who might win this race in the future.
