Max Verstappen 'ready to race' as Belgian GP kicks-off crucial triple-header

Dutchman returns refreshed after break looking to maintain his dominance in F1 title battle

Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring in Budapest on July 31, 2022. Reuters

Max Verstappen celebrates with his team. AP

Max Verstappen celebrates after winning in Hungary. AP

Race winner Max Verstappen passes his team celebrating on the pitwall. Getty

Max Verstappen during the race. EPA

Max Verstappen started tenth on the grid - and won. Getty

Lewis Hamilton finished second in his Mercedes. EPA

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc had another tough race day. AFP

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after finishing in second place. Reuters

George Russell, who started in pole, was third in his Mercedes. Getty

Max Verstappen will return to work with a spring in his step this weekend when he bids to tighten his grip on the Formula One world championship with a second triumph at the Belgian Grand Prix.

In the first of two 'home' races for the 24-year-old Dutchman, as part of a testing post-holiday triple-header, Red Bull's defending champion will delight in racing at his favourite, old-style circuit in the Belgian Ardennes.

“I am feeling ready to race again after a good break,” he said.

“I've definitely got the itch again to get back into it – it will be a busy triple-header, but it will be OK to manage as we have all had a rest.”

After wins in France and Hungary, Verstappen could also complete a hat-trick of consecutive victories as Ferrari flounder in pursuit having seen seven pole positions produce only three wins for Charles Leclerc.

Formula One's annual European summer close-down began after the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 31 and ended earlier this week as teams began preparations for the much-loved race at the spectacular circuit in the forests.

With a luxurious lead of 80 points over Leclerc in the title race, Verstappen can afford to ease off and finish second in all of the remaining nine races – in 12 weeks – that make up the second half of the season.

But, after securing his first win in the land of his birth, at Hasselt, in last year's race, he will be pushing for another this weekend in front of an orange army of fans due to arrive from the Netherlands.

A victory would set him up perfectly for his second home event seven days later at Zandvoort, where he won last year en route to the drivers title.

However, he will hope for a different outcome in the third race of the triple-header at Monza where he collided with Lewis Hamilton in last year's Italian Grand Prix.

“The upgrades to the track here have made it a little more old school with the gravel traps, which I think is a good idea,” said Verstappen.

“It's my favourite track so I'm looking forward to racing there and it looks like there might be rain around too, which will make it more tricky. Luckily, as a team, we like a challenge.”