The Dutch newspapers unanimously agree: Max Verstappen gave away a masterclass in the Belgian Grand Prix. The world championship leader made it look as if the competition was standing still at Spa-Francorchamps. According to the domestic press, the last doubts about a second world title for Verstappen were completely removed in the first weekend after the summer break.

The Telegraph

The morning force writes that Verstappen was truly in a different league this weekend in Belgium."The Formula 1 world has awoken from a short summer's sleep and is immediately under the spell of a new development: 'Maxfixing'. Fortunately it has nothing to do with manipulating race results. No, Max Verstappen is simply much better and faster than the rest and is controlling the sport more and more. It gave him a masterclass at his beloved Spa-Francorchamps on the way to the Zandvoort Grand Prix.

Starting from 14th on the grid, it looked like it was going to be tough catching up for Verstappen towards the podium, but nothing turned out to be further from the truth. "Verstappen had left the boxing gloves in his dressing room in Belgium, as they were indeed unnecessary. Verstappen did it all on pure power and the contrast with teammate Pérez showed how strong the World Cup leader really is. And to think that Red Bull hopes to introduce a lighter chassis later this season, which is a few kilograms lighter and therefore 'automatically' produces lap times. It is no longer a question of if, but when Verstappen will be champion this year."

Algemeen Dagblad

The AD thinks that the second world title for Verstappen has now become a certainty. "With the Dutch GP just around the corner, the Formula One season seems to have fallen into a decisive fold. After Max Verstappen's unprecedented display in Belgium, the competition has pretty much thrown in the towel and Red Bull Racing know what time it is. When you win unchallenged and by a wide margin even after starting from P14 (engine penalty), there's something very special about it. Then you are talking about unprecedented dominance."

This weekend new technical regulations were enforced by the FIA regarding porpoising. Red Bull would be most affected by this, they thought at Mercedes. "Where the competition had hoped that some stricter rules for too-flexible floors after the summer break would provide more excitement, the opposite turns out to be true in Spa. Carefree Verstappen can look forward to his home race in Zandvoort after his victory in the Ardennes."

De Volkskrant

Verstappen is the man of 2022 so far, they conclude at de Volkskrant. "It was already his ninth victory in fourteen races. Even at Red Bull, the victories seem to be becoming 'business as usual'. After the race there was hardly any celebration in Belgium. The same mechanics who greeted him with cheers and hugs after his win wore fluorescent yellow shirts barely an hour after the race," it says.

The World Cup title can hardly escape the man from Limburg. "His masterclass in Spa also seemed to be the final blow for his competitors, judging by the reactions after the race. His teammate Pérez, the new number two in the World Cup standings, thought Verstappen was 'of a different level'. Ferrari driver Sainz, who finished third in Belgium, described Red Bull as 'from another planet'. Everyone in Formula 1 seems reconciled to Verstappen's second world title. At the current rate, and with a bit of luck, the title will be up for grabs in early October in Asia - in Singapore or Japan."

Het Parool

Parool saw that Verstappen didn't even have to exert himself beyond his limits last weekend in Belgium. "Verstappen left no stone unturned by the competition in the Ardennes. The 'damage' of the fourteenth starting place was already repaired within twelve laps, which meant that the excitement was gone from the Belgian GP. Once at the front, there was no stopping the reigning world champion, who in his RB18 took another giant step towards prolonging his title."

Only the first lap was a bit exciting, after that the cards were already divided, according to the newspaper. "Verstappen skilfully slalomed around the debris. A spin from Nicholas Latifi cost the birthday boy Valtteri Bottas the race. Lewis Hamilton launched himself over the front wheel of Fernando Alonso with a mistake, ending the race. But the Limburger stayed out of trouble, and then full throttle skilfully repaired all the damage suffered from the grid penalty."