2021 Belgian Grand Prix Predictions: Can Verstappen Deny Hamilton His 100th F1 Win at Spa

The battle for the 2021 championship title is blazing hot, with marginal difference keeping Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton apart in the driver’s standings. And after a brief haul, the fight is all set to begin from the upcoming F1 weekend at the Belgian GP.

Verstappen had suffered a life-threatening crash at Silverstone, which ended up opening a can of worms in the already intense rivalry. And while a lot anticipated the Dutchman to get his redemption at Hungaroring, the result was yet against disappointing.

So, all eyes will now turn to the approaching Grand Prix at the classic Spa Francorchamps.

Can Verstappen deny Hamilton the F1 milestone?

Hamilton is on course to securing his 100th race win at Spa this weekend. But, one driver stands between himself and his impeccable accomplishment – Verstappen. The Red Bull driver is yearning to get back on the horse after having gained a measly 5 points out of the last two races.

Also, with Belgium being Verstappen’s part-home, the Dutchman is undeniably going to enjoy the home advantage. Hence, apart from a fast car, Verstappen will be greeted by a sea of Orange at the circuit, which could bolster his confidence.

So, amidst too many positives engulfing Red Bull, the odds are that Verstappen will pip ahead of his Mercedes rival in Spa.

Can McLaren fight back in the mid-field battle with Ferrari?

The focus isn’t entitled to just the front-runners, but also to the leaders of the mid-field pack – Ferrari and McLaren. Ever since round 1, the fight for P3 has been swinging like a pendulum between McLaren and Ferrari.

And by the end of the Hungarian GP, the scores are level in the constructor’s standings. McLaren, with an in-form Lando Norris in one hand and Grand Prix winner, Daniel Ricciardo, in the other, will be looking to secure a podium or two at Spa.

This looks highly plausible, considering the fact that McLaren are sporting a Mercedes power unit at the back that is fierce enough to beat Ferrari on the straights. Below the two teams, a battle is on for P5 between AlphaTauri, Alpine, and Aston Martin.

Alpine will be charged with confidence after clinching their first-ever race win at Hungaroring. The French outfit secured a whopping 37 points out of the weekend.

Aston Martin suffered a fallback after the issue with fuel that led to Sebastian Vettel‘s disqualification. Hence, the British outfit will be looking to get their redemption at Spa.

Weather set to mix things up?

Spa has always been one of the fewest race circuits that have always carried a substantial level of rain threat over every race weekend. The threat looks much significant this weekend as well, with the chances exceeding 80% on all three days of the Belgian GP.

Hence, if the rain does fall, one could well be looking forward to another 2021 Hungarian GP or even 2020 Turkish GP.

So, are the F1 fans in for a treat over this season’s Belgian Grand Prix? Will rain spice up the race, and bring out another unlikely driver to the top step of the podium?

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