Belgian Grand Prix Race Report – Wet Weather, Welsh Warriors & A Silent Storm

Pre-Race: Fisher Clears Doubts with Steely Grit
In the hours leading up to the Belgian Grand Prix, news quietly surfaced that Car 44, Matthew Fisher, had undergone a dental procedure earlier in the day. While not an emergency, Mercedes confirmed the British driver had a tooth extraction just after midday and would race with minimal communication due to minor bleeding and soreness. With radio use limited, Fisher relied entirely on steering wheel buttons to talk to his engineer  a rare silence from one of the grid’s most outspoken figures.

After the race, Fisher confirmed via written message,

“Yeah, just a tooth out. So I’m not being miserable and telling you lot [the media] to f*** off  not today anyway.”
The tongue-in-cheek comment was met with laughter, especially from long-time Esports journalists who’ve had their share of fiery exchanges with the reigning world champion.

The Grid: Fisher on Pole, Welsh Fire Up Front
Fisher lined up on pole with fellow Welshman Llewellyn Rees alongside, and Shane Murphey ready to pounce from third. With Spa’s changeable weather looming and tension mounting, all eyes were on the front three  and especially on how Fisher would fare without his usual mid-race banter.

Lap 1 – Slingshot City
A textbook launch saw Fisher lead through La Source, but on the climb through Eau Rouge and down the Kemmel Straight, both Murphey and Rees slipstreamed past, relegating the pole-sitter to third. Undeterred, Fisher fought back with a clean move into Les Combes to retake P2, showing early signs that he wasn’t here to coast.

Lap 2 to 6 – DRS and Dogfights
What followed was pure Esports racing theatre: Rees and Fisher swapping the lead multiple times, both using DRS with surgical precision. Mercedes’ upgraded floor helped Fisher plant the rear through the twistier middle sector, but Rees was relentless. Murphey remained the silent threat in P3, biding his time.

Mid-Race Shake-Up – When Spa Strikes
As expected, Spa delivered chaos. Rain hit midway, sending the entire field diving for inters. Fisher had a clean stop, rejoining behind Murphey and Rees. From there, traction and tyre temp management became king.

Final Act – Fisher’s Brave but Beaten Charge
The final laps were all about bravery. Murphey led, but Fisher came alive, risking everything with late braking lunges. A wild send at the final chicane on the last lap saw the Mercedes sideways, dancing over the kerbs but Murphey held firm to win by just 0.015s. A thrilling end to one of the races of the season.

Elsewhere – Haas Surprises, Gunthenstiner Slips
Brad Smith continued his resurgence with a stunning P4 for Haas. Sebastian Gunthenstiner was on for P5 but spun at the final corner and tumbled to 10th. Lucas Mathias scored his best finish since stepping in for Van Hallen, securing P6 for Red Bull.

Post-Race Reactions
Murphey:

“Fisher had a tooth out, was probably in pain, and still nearly beat me. That guy is f***ing mad. I’d be in bed watching telly.”

Rees added with a grin:

“Welsh blood. We’re just built different.”