Belgian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc Wins First Maiden F1 Race, Dedicates Victory To Anthoine Hubert

Pole sitter Charles Leclerc held off a late challenge from Lewis Hamilton to win his first maiden F1 race at Spa Francorchamps. He dedicated the victory to deceased F2 driver Anthonie Hubert, who died yesterday in a crash at the Spa.

Leclerc was chased down by the defending champion after he had swerved past Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel at the corner in 32 Lapmoved up to second place. The Monacan was faced with a last lap thriller with Hamilton but was able to pole through to the cross line in 1:23:45.710 seconds.

"We lost a friend first of all, and it's very difficult in these situations," Leclerc said in tributes to the deceased. "I can't fully enjoy my first victory but it is a memory that will live with me forever."

Whilst Leclerc poled to the cross line, Sebastian dropped further after he was past by Hamilton, he later fell behind Valtteri Bottas after pitting to miss out in podium position.

Hamilton congratulated the Scudera Ferrari driver and admitted the race " was a difficult" one for Mercedes because "Ferraris were just too fast on the straights and it was hard to keep up with them."

The Briton extended his dominance in title lead over Sebastian by 65 points and his teammate Bottas followed in second with 22 points lead over the German driver.