Lewis Hamilton ended Mercedes’ three-year wait for another win at Spa-Francorchamps with an impressive drive to his 89th career win in the Belgian Grand Prix. Hamilton led from start to finish to defeat team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to stretch his championship lead to a massive 47 points – nearly equivalent to two GP wins.
Daniel Ricciardo finished fourth, taking the bonus point for the fastest lap on the final lap, with Esteban Ocon fifth after a last-lap pass on Red Bull’s Alex Albon. Lando Norris just didn’t have enough to get past the Renault and remained in 7th.
LAP 44/44: Car No. 44 👑#BelgianGP 🇧🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/13xlTRbRi2
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 30, 2020
“I had a lock-up into turn five which gave me a vibration on the tyre. It was a bit of a struggle. I was nervous we might have a scenario like Silverstone where I had the puncture so I was nursing it to the end. I know it is not what everyone wants to see – a Mercedes at the front – but no matter how much success we have we just keep our heads down. Back at the office, there are no guys celebrating. It is all about how we can win the next race and it is an incredible environment to be in”, said Hamilton who is now 2 wins away from Michael Schumacher’s all-time race wins.
“I am 35 going towards 36 but I feel better than ever so that is a positive.”
The biggest drama unfolded on the 10th lap when Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi lost control at Fagnes chicane and spun into the tyre wall before having a massive collision at the side of the track. His left rear tyre spiralled out and barrelled into Russell’s direction.
The impact of the flying tyre, thankfully, on his front wheel and sent him into the barriers, sending both drivers out of the race.
Carlos Sainz suffered an exhaust failure before the race and had to, unfortunately, miss out minutes before lights out.
For Ferrari, it was another awful day at the office. Vettel came home in 13th, while his teammate Charles Leclerc finished one place behind. They made absolutely no impression on another dismal day for F1’s all-time record championship holders. Back to the drawing board for Mattia Binotto but with the new rules in place, it could be 18 months before things improve.
#BelgianGP Race Results#essereFerrari 🔴 pic.twitter.com/PRgw9viYVV
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) August 30, 2020
There was a sense of the disarray about everything and everyone at Ferrari as Vettel’s 13th-place finish and Leclerc’s 14th proved that the Italian outfit has struggled tremendously throughout the season.
Formula 1 moves to Ferrari’s native Italian GP at Mugello next week and they will be looking to deliver their best performance after a dismal start at their home venue, while Lewis Hamilton will be looking to extend his massive lead and edge closer to a 7th World title.
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