Verstappen electrifies Belgian GP with win after starting from rear

Red Bull star Max Verstappen won the Belgian Grand Prix with a dominant showing following a P14 start at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot, Belgium on Sunday.

Verstappen's ninth victory of the season extended his lead in the standings as he looks to capture his second straight world championship. He's won back-to-back races in Belgium.

"The car was really on rails. This whole weekend has been incredible," Verstappen said postrace.

The 24-year-old Dutchman's teammate, Sergio Perez, placed second. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, who started from P4, was forced to retire during the first lap after his car made contact with Fernando Alonso's vehicle.

"What an idiot," Alonso told his team on the radio during the race, according to Andrew Benson of BBC Sport. "Closing the door from the outside. This guy only knows how to race from first."

Hamilton later admitted fault for the incident. He said he didn't see Alonso in his blind spot.