Despite being fastest in qualifying, the Red Bull driver started from the back due to a grid penalty for using too many engine parts.
The Dutch driver finished 17.8 seconds ahead of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, while the Mexican driver finished comfortably second ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in third place.
After the race, Verstappen praised the work of the entire Red Bull team and looked ahead to his home race, the Dutch Grand Prix, which takes place next week.
“It was a really hectic first lap to avoid trouble, but after the safety car the car was on rails,” explained Verstappen.
“After that, when we were at the top, it was just about managing everything. The whole weekend was amazing. It’s been a weekend I couldn’t imagine – I’ll enjoy today and then next week, let’s see what we can do.”
No loss of trust
Starting position 14 was no problem for Verstappen.
Even before the race, the 24-year-old had never lost confidence in his podium chances, despite the many cars in front of him. “I think with the pace we have in the car I want to make progress and at least be on the podium,” he said before the race.
Under the sunny Belgian sky, he showed from the first lap why his confidence wasn’t misplaced. From the seventh lap he was already in fifth place.
And after the first round of pit stops, Verstappen was in the lead and looked comfortable from there, all the while barely having to defend against a challenger.
“Amazing Sunday folks, the car has been a rocket all weekend,” said Verstappen over his team radio after crossing the finish line.
Elsewhere, it was another afternoon of battles for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who crashed out of the race on the first lap after colliding with Fernando Alonso.
Speaking to Sky Sports during the race, Hamilton said he took responsibility for the crash.
“Looking back, he was in my blind spot, I didn’t give him enough space. It’s my fault,” said the 37-year-old.
“I couldn’t see him. I feel sorry for the team and I need to recover and get back on the treadmill.”