Lewis Hamilton extended his
Formula One world championship lead after hunting down long-time leader
Kimi Raikkonen to win the Belgian Grand Prix in increasingly treacherous conditions at Spa-Francorchamps.
Having handed the initiative to the Finn at the end of lap one, when he spun at La Source, Hamilton appeared to be set for second place, albeit still able to extend his championship advantage, but the onset of rain in the closing stages prompted a charge from the
McLaren man that sliced into Raikkonen's cushion.
When the rain finally arrived, both drivers were still on the harder
Bridgestone rubber, and found staying on the track nigh on impossible. Hamilton made his move at the Bus Stop, but cut the corner and had to hand the lead back to Raikkonen. He then made a move stick into La Source, getting past the world champion, but the conditions intensified and both struggled through the final two laps.
Hamilton ran wide at La Source, handing the lead back to Raikkonen, who then spun and handed it back. Hamilton twitched but held it on the run to Fagnes, but Kimi's challenge ended at roughly the same spot, as he lost control and planted the
Ferrari in the wall.
From there, Hamilton was able to tip-toe home, as the second Ferrari of
Felipe Massa - never in the race amid rumours of a wilting engine - was not close enough to challenge.
Raikkonen's exit appeared to hand third to
Fernando Alonso, but the Spaniard was also struggling and dropped behind the impressive
Sebastien Bourdais in the closing laps. From nowhere, however, came
Nick Heidfeld, inspired by the decision to stop two laps from home and fit intermediates, and bringing the
BMW Sauber from ninth to third in that time.
Alonso recovered on the final lap, gaining enough drive out of the Bus Stop to claim two places at the line, while
Sebastian Vettel beat
Robert Kubica, Bourdais and
Timo Glock to the final points places.
Full report and result to follow....
