F1 Data Analysis | Where Verstappen made the difference to Perez in Belgium

Verstappen's special lap

A drying track in qualifying always makes the best drivers come out on top. The track conditions change with each lap, so as a driver you have to be able to adapt every lap. At Spa-Francorchamps, Verstappen once again proved to be a master at this, even though he was close to not even making Q3.

Verstappen was spared that fate, allowing him to drive his phenomenal lap of 1.46.168 in Q3. In that lap, Verstappen was eight tenths faster than number two Charles Leclerc. While the Monegasque can still point to his car, Perez cannot use that as an excuse. The Mexican was also driven at over eight tenths and that in the almost identical RB19 to Verstappen's.

Qualifying telemetry shows that Verstappen is not specifically faster than Perez at one point on the track. Over the entire lap, Verstappen is gaining ground over his teammate. Behind the heading 'Throttle', you can see when Verstappen and Perez press their throttle and how much. There is not much difference between the white (Verstappen) and red (Perez) lines, but before almost every corner, Verstappen gets off the gas later and gets on the gas earlier after a corner.

Where Verstappen makes the difference at Spa-Francorchamps

This trend is also reflected in the braking data. In this case, the data only shows whether the brake is used, not how much. Nevertheless, it is also noticeable here that Perez brakes a fraction earlier than Verstappen for almost every corner. Especially after Kemmel Straight, the difference is visible. There, Verstappen brakes considerably later.

Other notable data is that of acceleration. Over the entire lap, Verstappen and Perez use the same gear, but at one point it is different. Namely, Perez shifts back to seventh gear when entering Pouhon, only to shift back up to eighth gear at the corner. Verstappen keeps it in gear eight throughout the corner. Verstappen does not seem to gain much ground there if you look at the difference at that stage of the lap. Indeed, that does not increase significantly.

Over the entire lap, Verstappen is simply a class better than his teammate. That is why Leclerc can put his car on the front row of the grid. Verstappen will start Sunday's Grand Prix from sixth spot due to a grid penalty, but his qualifying lap will provide enough confidence for a catch-up race á la 2022.