HAMILTON PRESSURE RAMPED UP TO MAX

Lewis Hamilton finished third as Max Verstappen clocked the fastest time before crashing out in practice for tomorrow’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who holds an eight-point lead to Verstappen, ended the second action of the day at Spa-Francorchamps 0.072 seconds adrift of his championship rival.

Valtteri Bottas split the title protagonists with the top-three drivers separated by less than a tenth of a second on Formula One’s return to action following its four-week summer shutdown.

Hamilton is bidding to become the first driver to win the championship eight times and heads into the second half of the campaign with a slender advantage over Verstappen.

The Dutchman had been as many as 33 points ahead of Hamilton, but following their 180mph collision on the opening lap of the British Grand Prix – a race Hamilton went on to win – and Hamilton’s comeback drive from last to second in Hungary earlier this month, it is the Mercedes man who will be deemed the slight favourite to take the title spoils.

With the clock ticking down on the second running of the afternoon, Verstappen hit the barriers.

He lost control of his Red Bull through Malmedy, sliding backwards through the gravel and into the wall.

The red flags were issued and the session was not restarted with Verstappen sustaining superficial damage to the rear of his car.

The 23-year-old will be fine to participate in qualifying today, but the late accident might dent his confidence ahead of what will be another significant weekend in the hottest championship battle of recent memory.

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso finished fourth for Alpine ahead of AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly.

Mick Schumacher is marking his father’s F1 debut in Belgium by wearing a special helmet. Schumacher Jr propped up the order, finishing last of the 20 runners in his Haas.