Lewis Hamilton pressed home his challenge for this year’s drivers’ world championship in emphatic style yesterday when he won a dramatic and incident-filled Belgian Grand Prix.
The 2008 champion, in his McLaren, took the lead at the start and then controlled the 44-lap race through two safety-car periods and some perilous weather conditions on his way to victory.
It was his first win in Belgium, his third win this season and the 15th of his career in his 64th Grand Prix.
PHOTO: EPA
It not only boosted his title hopes, but also made up for his disappointment in 2008 when, after finishing first, he was deprived of victory by a controversial stewards’ decision.
Hamilton rode his luck when he had to in the capricious conditions and came home a clear winner, 1.5 seconds ahead of Australian Mark Webber of Red Bull and 3.4 seconds ahead of third-placed Pole Robert Kubica.
The only scare for the Briton was when he slithered off onto the gravel in the closing stages.
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: “Lewis drove a fantastic race. There was just one excursion which was a little heart-stopping, but apart from that he was in command right from the start.”
Webber, who fought back after dropping to sixth after a poor start, paid tribute to his arch rival.
“Lewis did a great job,” the Australian said.
Hamilton now has 182 points and leads the championship ahead of Webber, who began the day as the leader, now second on 179 points. German Sebastian Vettel, Webber’s Red Bull teammate, remains third on 151 points after failing to score along with two other title hopefuls — defending champion Jenson Button, in the second McLaren, and two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Ferrari.
Vettel finished 15th after an impetuous drive filled with incident during which he crashed into the luckless Button and sent the Englishman into retirement in a controversial accident after 17 laps.
Alonso, who struggled in the conditions, also retired after spinning his car out at Malmedy in the third heavy rain shower of a contest riddled with chaotic moments.
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