Hamilton dominates Belgium Grand Prix

Indy Car News

Hamilton dominates Spa

by Gary Becker
Sports Car Illustrated

Lewis Hamilton and his McLaren-Mercedes led the Belgium Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps from start to finish giving him not only the race victory but also the lead in the race for the World Driving Championship.

Hamilton jumped ahead of pole sitting Mark Webber’s Red Bull Renault going into the first turn at the start of the race on a circuit that was dry in spots and wet in spots. Fernando Alonso and his Ferrari quickly found one of those wet spots as he collided with Rubens Barrichello’s Williams Cosworth going into the chicane. Alonso was able to continue but Barrichello’s day was done.

At the end of the first lap it was Hamilton, Jenson Button - McLaren Mercedes, Robert Kubica - Renault, Sebastian Vettel – Red Bull Renault and Webber.

Heavy rain began to play havoc with the slick tired field and on the second lap the Safety Car slowed the field. No sooner had the field bunched up the sun reappeared and the track began to dry. By lap four the track was deemed safe and the field was once again given the green flag.

Lap 10 had Hamilton in command followed by Button, Vettel, Kubica, Webber and Massa.

Lap 17 brought the biggest incident of the day as light rain began to fall Vettel attempted to pass Button going into the chicane. Vettel lost control as he tried to out brake Button losing control of his car and crashing into the left side of Button’s car. Button was done for the day. Vettel was able to continue but was slapped with a drive through penalty for his efforts.

The field began pit stops on lap 22 as Hamilton led Kubica, Webber, Felipe Massa’s Ferrari and Adrian Sutil’s Force India Mercedes. Hamilton was able to pit and maintain his lead with a 4.2 second pit stop.

The rains came on lap 34. Hamilton elected to stay out on his slicks as the rain began to fall heavier and heavier. The decision nearly cost Hamilton the race as he went off course and nearly collecting the tire wall going through turn 8. The off road excursion made the choice of pitting for intermediate tires easier for the McLaren team as Hamilton and the rest of the leaders pitted for grooved tires on the next lap. Kubica nearly took out several of his pit crew as he slid into his wet pit stall.

Following the stops for new tires Hamilton still held the lead followed by Webber, Kubica, Massa and Sutil.

Alonso spun in the wet conditions and hit the tire wall on lap 38 breaking his suspension and ending his day. The incident also brought out the Safety Car bunching up the field with only four laps to go.

The green waved for the final time as the field started lap 41 of the 44 lap race with Hamilton leading Webber, Kubica, Massa and Sutil. The leaders all held their positions for the last three laps finishing the race as they had started lap 41.

The victory gave Hamilton the lead in the World Championship.

1 Lewis Hamilton (GBR)
2 Mark Webber (AUS)
3 Sebastian Vettel (DEU)
4 Jenson Button (GBR)
5 Fernando Alonso (ESP)
6 Felipe Massa (BRA)
7 Robert Kubica (POL)
8 Nico Rosberg (DEU)
9 Adrian Sutil (DEU)
10 Michael Schumacher (DEU)

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