(CNN) Charles Leclerc claimed the first Formula 1 victory of his young career in the Belgian Grand Prix and dedicated the win to friend Anthoine Hubert, who died following a crash on Saturday.

Hubert was killed after his car was hit side-on at around 160 miles per hour by Juan Manuel Correa's Sauber during a Formula 2 race on the same track.

"On one hand I've got a dream since I was a child that has been realized, but on the other hand, it's been a very difficult weekend since yesterday," Leclerc told Sky Sports.

"We lost a friend first of all -- I would like to dedicate my first win to him. In my first race, we drove together, it's a shame what happened yesterday, I can't enjoy my victory fully."

For much of the closing stages it looked as though Leclerc would cruise to victory, although Lewis Hamilton put in a scintillating final few laps to close the gap to less than two seconds.

Read More