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F1 fans call for Charles Leclerc vs Max Verstappen title fight after Belgian Grand Prix battle

Originally posted on HITC | By Tyler Rowlinson | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 7:05 AM ET

Charles Leclerc secured his fifth podium of the 2025 season at the Belgian Grand Prix, clinching third ahead of Max Verstappen in a race full of tension.

Ferrari had pinned their hopes on a rear suspension update, aiming to close the gap to McLaren at Spa. But the upgrade didn’t have the desired impact.

Oscar Piastri capitalised on a rare misjudgement from teammate Lando Norris during the safety car restart and never looked back. Leclerc, meanwhile, was unable to challenge either McLaren and had to settle for third place.

Top 10 – Belgian GP Results

Oscar Piastri – McLaren – 25 pts
Lando Norris – McLaren – 18 pts
Charles Leclerc – Ferrari – 15 pts
Max Verstappen – Red Bull – 12 pts
George Russell – Mercedes – 10 pts
Alex Albon – Williams – 8 pts
Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari – 6 pts
Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls – 4 pts
Gabriel Bortoleto – Sauber – 2 pts
Pierre Gasly – Alpine – 1 pt

For most of the afternoon, Leclerc had Verstappen glued to his rear wing. The turbulent airflow at Spa made overtaking extremely difficult, and the Red Bull driver simply couldn’t find a way through.

Speaking after the race, Leclerc said it was one of the most physically demanding races he’s had recently — but the result was worth it. His efforts were vital in keeping Ferrari ahead of Mercedes in the constructors’ battle.

Fans demand equal cars for Leclerc and Verstappen after Spa showdown

With lap times differing by just a single thousandth of a second, the Leclerc-Verstappen duel ignited fresh calls online for both drivers to race in evenly matched machinery.

Many fans took to Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and other platforms, expressing a desire to see the two talents face off across an entire season in equal cars.

Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images

One user commented: “I’d love to see a full season of Charles and Max going toe to toe in equally competitive cars. They’re both aggressive, but their battles are always fair and thrilling.”

Drivers’ Standings – After Belgium:

Oscar Piastri – 266 pts
Lando Norris – 250 pts
Max Verstappen – 185 pts
George Russell – 157 pts
Charles Leclerc – 139 pts
Lewis Hamilton – 109 pts
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – 63 pts
Alex Albon – 54 pts
Nico Hülkenberg – 37 pts
Esteban Ocon – 27 pts

Another fan wrote: “It’s shocking that Leclerc has never had a real title-contending car for a whole season. Ferrari has let him down badly. He’s arguably Max’s biggest threat after Hamilton.”

A third added: “They’ve been my favourite pairing to watch for years. Give them equal cars and I think it would be a 50/50 battle.”

Photo by Heuler Andrey/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

One post recalled their 2022 skirmishes: “We got a taste of it in 2022 – intense but clean racing. Their wheel-to-wheel battles are always on the edge, but never over it.”

And others highlighted Leclerc’s joy in those fights: “You can tell Charles loves racing Max. He always sounds excited after their duels — it brings out the best in him.” Another joked: “Max knows that if he crosses the line, Charles won’t hesitate to put him in the barrier.”

Leclerc vs Verstappen sparks fresh calls for a proper title showdown

With barely a fraction of a second separating them lap after lap, the Spa battle reminded fans why this rivalry remains one of the most compelling on the grid.
“Leclerc deserves a car that can challenge for a full season. That’s the story F1 fans are waiting for,” one fan posted.
“We haven’t seen the best of their rivalry yet,” another insisted. “Give them the same tools and let’s see who comes out on top.”

Ferrari still searching for answers despite new upgrades

Despite making changes to the SF-25’s suspension, Ferrari’s performance at Spa left plenty to be desired. Leclerc mentioned post-race that the car required ‘extreme’ settings just to keep pace.
After chatting with Lewis Hamilton, both drivers agreed that in wet conditions, the car still lacks balance and predictability.
Ferrari are now gradually shifting their focus towards 2026 — a season that could be pivotal for Hamilton’s championship hopes. Until then, both drivers will aim to salvage what they can and prepare for the new era.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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