Sebastien Vettel won the Belgium Grand Prix after strategic pit stops put his Red Bull in the lead. The performance of the day came from Fernando Alonso who climbed seven places from the grid to finish second. Lewis Hamilton got off to a poor start from the grid, losing three places. However, Hamilton managed to gain a place back to take the final podium spot in third. Nico Rosberg flew off the starting grid and took the lead after the first corner. Disappointingly for Mercedes Rosberg dropped back to fourth by the end of the race as the car and strategy failed to keep him at the front. Mark Webber finished in fifth after recovering from a poor start which saw the Australian drop three places into sixth. Felipe Massa climbed three places to finish his Ferrari in seventh whilst Grosjean took eighth. It was not a great day for his Lotus team mate Kimi Raikkonen who had to retire after 26 laps due to his brakes failing. Sutil put his Force India in the points after finishing ninth but it was a horrible day for Di Resta who was forced to retire after Maldonado crashed into him on lap 28. It was a superb performance from Ricciardo who took the final point after climbing nine places into tenth. Vettel now has a 46 point lead ahead of Alonso in the race for the championship title.
My Opinion:
The race played into Vettel's hands at the very start as Hamilton suffered from a slow start. Rosberg was unable to keep up with the pace of Vettel's Red Bull and consequently fell back to fourth. Disappointing for Hamilton who failed to convert from pole but still managed to get on the podium. Alonso was brilliant yet again after making four places from the grid and passing another three cars throughout the race to finish second. Ricciardo was another strong performer after he took his Toro Rosso into the points from 19th on the grid. It was a decent day for Button who finished sixth and Mclaren will look to build from that result. Really bad days for Raikkonen and Di Resta. Raikkonen suffered as his brakes gave way which meant he could not get back to the pits to repair his car. Di Resta showed so much promise in qualifying but was the victim of Maldonado and Sutil colliding with each other which left the Force India in the gravel. A really good race which Spa normally provides and the championship hunt is still open.
Race Guide: Key Moments:
Start: Rosberg takes the lead (up 3), Button (up 4), Vettel passed Hamilton (down 1), Hamilton (down 3), Alonso (up 4), Webber (down 3), Di Resta (down 2), Hulkenberg (up 3). Grosjean (down 2), Raikkonen (down 2).
Lap 2: Raikkonen into 9th after passing Grosjean.
Lap 4: Alonso into 4th after passing Button.
Lap 5: Webber into 5th after passing Button.
Lap 6: Alonso into 3rd after passing Rosberg.
Lap 8: Perez into 10th and Massa into 11th after both pas Grosjean. Pic OUT.
Lap 9: Raikkonen into 8th after passing Hulkenberg.
Lap 11: Drive through penalty for Perez for forcing another driver off the track.
Lap 13: Grosjean into 7th after passing Hamilton.
Lap 14: Hamilton in 4th after passing Grosjean. Button takes lead of the race after Vettel makes pit stop.
Lap 15: Alonso into 3rd after passing Hamilton.
Lap 16: Rosberg into 5th after passing Grosjean. Massa into 9th after passing Gutierrez. Raikkonen into 12th after passing Di Resta.
Lap 17: Webber into 6th after passing Grosjean. Raikkonen into 11th after passing Perez.
Lap 18: Sutil into 11th and Di Resta into 12th after both pass Perez. Perez into 12th after passing Di Resta.
Lap 19: Sutil into 10th after passing Gutierrez.
Lap 20: Button into 7th after passing Massa.
Lap 23: Button into 6th after passing Grosjean.
Lap 26: Raikkonen OUT after brake failure.
Lap 28: Sutil into 11th after passing Gutierrez but makes contact with Maldonado who hits Di Resta. Di Resta OUT.
Lap 35: Sutil into 9th after passing Perez.
Lap 36: Maldonado given 10 second stop and go in pit lane for causing a collision.
Lap 40: Gutierrez given drive through penalty for leaving track and gaining an advantage. Massa into 7th after passing Grosjean.
Lap 41: Ricciardo into 10th after passing Perez.
Lap 44: Vettel wins the Belgium GP. Alonso second and Hamilton third.
Belgium Grand Prix Result:
1. Vettel (Red Bull) 1.23.42.196
2. Alonso (Ferrari)
3. Hamilton (Mercedes)
4. Rosberg (Mercedes)
5. Webber (Red Bull)
6. Button (Mclaren)
7. Massa (Ferrari)
8. Grosjean (Lotus)
9. Sutil (Force India)
10. Ricciardo (Toro Rosso)
Fastest Lap: Sebastien Vettel (Red Bull) 1.50.756
Drive Standings:
1. Vettel (Red Bull) 197
2. Alonso (Ferrari) 151
3. Hamilton (Mercedes) 139
4. Raikkonen (Lotus) 134
5. Webber (Red Bull) 115
Constructor Standings:
1. Red Bull 312
2. Mercedes 235
3. Ferrari 218
4. Lotus 187
5. Mclaren 65
Performance of the Day: Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari for climbing seven places to second.
Shock of the Day: Kimi Raikkonen forced to retire his car after his brakes failed.
Disappointment of the Day: Paul Di Resta being forced out after Maldonado crashed into him.
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