Despite taking a five-place grid penalty, Red Bull's Max Verstappen is the red-hot favourite to win the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday as he looks to further tighten his grip at the top of the standings.
Verstappen sits 110 points clear of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez in the Drivers' Championship after picking up nine victories this season.
The 25-year-old's triumph in Hungary last weekend was his seventh in succession and he's just two shy of Sebastian Vettel's record of nine consecutive race wins in F1.
Although the title already looks to be sealed, there's plenty to battle for further down the standings and the Belgian Grand Prix should provide some intriguing storylines.
- Double podium finish - Red Bull
- Podium finish - Lando Norris
- Top 6 finish - Fernando Alonso
Spa Should Suit Red Bull
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton said he had "definitely never seen a car so fast" after Red Bull's Verstappen burst past him at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March.
Hamilton finished fifth and 25 seconds behind Verstappen, who came home second despite starting the race seven places behind the Brit due to an engine issue in Q2.
Red Bull's straight line speed has been a key factor to their success this season and that bodes well for this weekend's event at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
There's little value in backing Verstappen to add another win to his tally but it could be worth getting behind both Red Bull cars to finish on the podium.
That has happened on six occasions this term and in two of the last three events to help Red Bull open up a 229-point lead in the Constructors' Championship.
Perez's form over the season hasn't been as consistent as Vestappen's but his confidence should sky-high after he finished third in Budapest on Sunday after starting ninth on the grid.
DOUBLE PODIUM FINISH - RED BULL
Norris Looking To Climb The Standings
After a poor start to the campaign, Lando Norris and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri appear to have found their feet.
Norris has claimed back-to-back second-place finishes at the British Grand Prix and Hungarian Grand Prix, while Piastri has finished fourth and fifth at those events.
Prior to the British GP on 9th July, Norris had picked up just two top-six finishes and only four top-10 finishes but things are looking much more positive for the Brit.
Eager to keep that momentum going, the 23-year-old offers great value to secure a spot on the podium alongside the Red Bull pair.
Alonso to continue his great season
Veteran Alonso To Continue Great Season
Fernando Alonso enjoyed a stunning start to 2023, sealing three successive third place finishes for Aston Martin and he has collected six podium finishes across the term.
A tilt for the title is out of the question but the 41-year-old is seeking his highest finish in the Drivers' Championship since 2013 when he sealed second spot.
Alonso currently sits third, six points clear of Hamilton in fourth, and will be targeting at least a top-six finish in Belgium.
The Spaniard has finished in the top six at the Belgian GP on six previous occasions, including coming home fifth for Alpine last season.
TOP 6 FINISH - FERNANDO ALONSO
