Belgium – Race 2: A Grand First for Sergio Sette Camara

Charles Leclerc had given a demonstration of strength during the first race. Unfortunately for him, he was disqualified by the stewards because his underbody was too damaged from the numerous passages over the circuit’s curbs and the heavy compressions of Eau Rouge. In his misfortune, the Monegasque could find consolation in the fact that his main rival in the championship, Oliver Rowland, suffered the same penalty.

It was therefore Artem Markelov who inherited the victory while Norman Nato found himself promoted to reverse pole position due to his eighth place finish. Nevertheless, the Frenchman did not benefit from this for long as Sergio Sette Camara was able to surge from third place to take the lead immediately. The Brazilian was particularly pleased with his strong start as it had precisely been one of his weaknesses since the beginning of the season: « Since the beginning of the season, I’ve had trouble at the start. I have worked a lot with the team to improve. It was crucial for today’s victory. »

Towards the end of the race, he saw Nyck de Vries catching up to him, but he was saved by the safety car that came out four laps before the end following Nobuharu Matsushita’s major crash at the exit of Raidillon d’Eau Rouge. Although the Japanese driver emerged unscathed, his car was completely destroyed and left numerous debris on the track which was impossible to clear in such a short time.

Nevertheless, Nyck de Vries hailed his rival’s victory: « I might have been able to attack him at the end but Sergio clearly deserves his victory. I was conserving my tires for the end because I saw him moving a lot, but ultimately it wasn’t possible. »

Luca Ghiotto was even more disappointed with this premature end because he had based his entire race strategy on a late-race attack while starting seventh on the grid. He was gaining half a second per lap in the final laps: « The strategy was good, but the safety car came out at the wrong time. That’s how it is. » He could still console himself with the fact that he was now fourth in the championship and had managed to make up some of his deficit. Although he acknowledges that Charles Leclerc is out of reach, he still hopes to be his runner-up at the end of the season.

The Monegasque was impressive once again as he started 19th on the grid. By the end of the first sector, he had already gained four places in the standings. He was then able to overtake his rivals, including Oliver Rowland, one by one, ultimately finishing his race in fifth place.

He therefore leaves Belgium with an increased lead in the championship, which now stands at 59 points with only three meetings remaining.

From our special correspondent at Spa-Francorchamps