Aaron Harper
- Aug 27, 2022
- 2 min read

2022 Belgian GP: Battle of the Number Two’s

F1 returns to action and around the classic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, where both Championship leader Max Verstappen and his nearest challenger Charles Leclerc will start from the back of the pack, following power-unit penalties.

As a result, this leaves their team mates Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz with a golden opportunity to double their win tally for the season.

Perez, of course, memorably won the Monaco Grand Prix, beating Sainz with an excellent strategy call from his Red Bull team.

Sainz broke his duck at Silverstone, after grabbing his first pole in a wet qualifying, the Spaniard defied team instruction to pass Leclerc after a late Safety Car to score a popular maiden win at the 150th attempt.

And while Red Bull appear to have mega pace with Verstappen, in a car that is surely even more tuned for overtaking, Sainz was no slouch on Friday.

Even though Perez has been closer to Verstappen for pace this year, the Mexican’s form has dropped off since his Monaco victory, with two podiums in the following six races, but Verstappen has five in that same period, with four wins.

From my perspective, Sainz is favourite. But what of Mercedes? They struggled for tyre temperature in practice, could they be in the mix if they find the sweet spot again? That is unknown.

At least for now it looks like a shootout between Sainz and Perez, as I think they will be able to extend enough of a gap while Verstappen and Leclerc fight their way through the field together.

Pole Winner – Carlos Sainz

Sainz was driving very well ahead of the summer break, his performance at Paul Ricard despite an engine penalty himself was superb. He may well have been on pole there too, instead I think it will arrive in Spa.