Hamilton

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (C) gestures on the podium after winning the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa on August 30, 2020. (Photo by Stephanie Lecocq / POOL / AFP) (Photo by STEPHANIE LECOCQ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Hamilton wins Belgian Grand Prix despite more tyre trouble

The win at the Belgian Grand Prix was Hamilton’s fifth in seven races this year and extended his record run of points-scoring races to 40.

Hamilton

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (C) gestures on the podium after winning the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa on August 30, 2020. (Photo by Stephanie Lecocq / POOL / AFP) (Photo by STEPHANIE LECOCQ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton extended his lead in the Formula 1 drivers’ world championship and closed to within two wins of Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 race wins on Sunday with Belgian Grand Prix victory.

The six-time champion registered his 89th career win with another majestic drive to claim his fourth Belgian Grand Prix triumph, He finished 8.448 seconds clear of his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas.

Hamilton wins fifth race is seven starts

The win was Hamilton’s fifth in seven races this year and extended his record run of points-scoring races to 40.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was third, seven seconds further adrift, with the Dutchman claiming his sixth podium finish in succession.

Hamilton again had to nurse his car home on worn tyres after twin trials in the last two races. The World Championship leader has 157 points in the title race, 47 clear of Verstappen. The ‘black arrows’ lead the constructors’ championship with 264 points, well ahead of Red Bull on 158.

“It wasn’t the easiest of races,” said Hamilton. “It was a bit of a struggle, but nonetheless I think it was ok in the end.

“I was concerned that we’d have a scenario like Silverstone, but the tyre seemed to have quite a bit of rubber left on it at the finish.”

Bottas admitted conceded that he could not match his team-mate’s pace.

“The start was a good opportunity, but Lewis played it really well and I just couldn’t catch him. In the same car, with Lewis driving a flawless race, it was really difficult.”

Verstappen was far from thrilled with his race and said he had a dull afternoon.

“It was pretty boring, not very interesting and not much to do,” he said. “I ran out of tyre at the end so I was just stretching it out and saving the tyres.”

Daniel Ricciardo would produced the fastest lap on his final lap as he claimed fourth ahead of his Renault team-mate Esteban Ocon, and Alex Albon, in the second Red Bull. The Australian sneaks an extra point for the achievement

Lando Norris was seventh in the sole McLaren in the running.

Pierre Gasly finished eighth for Alpha Tauri ahead of the Racing Points of Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez. On a troubled weekend, last year’s winner Charles Leclerc was 14th, one place behind outgoing Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel.

Belgian Grand Prix result

POSNODRIVERCARLAPSTIME/RETIREDPTS
144Lewis HamiltonMERCEDES441:24:08.76125
277Valtteri BottasMERCEDES44+8.448s18
333Max VerstappenRED BULL RACING HONDA44+15.455s15
43Daniel RicciardoRENAULT44+18.877s13
531Esteban OconRENAULT44+40.650s10
623Alexander AlbonRED BULL RACING HONDA44+42.712s8
74Lando NorrisMCLAREN RENAULT44+43.774s6
810Pierre GaslyALPHATAURI HONDA44+47.371s4
918Lance StrollRACING POINT BWT MERCEDES44+52.603s2
1011Sergio PerezRACING POINT BWT MERCEDES44+53.179s1
1126Daniil KvyatALPHATAURI HONDA44+70.200s0
127Kimi RäikkönenALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI44+71.504s0
135Sebastian VettelFERRARI44+72.894s0
1416Charles LeclercFERRARI44+74.920s0
158Romain GrosjeanHAAS FERRARI44+76.793s0
166Nicholas LatifiWILLIAMS MERCEDES44+77.795s0
1720Kevin MagnussenHAAS FERRARI44+85.540s0
NC99Antonio GiovinazziALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI9DNF0
NC63George RussellWILLIAMS MERCEDES9DNF0
NC55Carlos SainzMCLAREN RENAULT0DNS0
Formula 1 results

* Provisional results. Note – Ricciardo scored an additional point for setting the fastest lap of the race.