Lewis on top after Spa win
Lewis Hamilton of McLaren Mercedes celebrates on the podium after winning the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Lewis Hamilton pressed home his challenge for this year's drivers' world championship in emphatic style on Sunday 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-laps 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.
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 beyond third-placed Pole Robert Kubica.
The only scare for the Briton was when he slithered off into the gravel in the closing stages.
A thrilled Hamilton said: "It was a great weekend, a very tough race for me, the same for everyone.
"I was praying it would be a race that would go smoothly, but then the rain came late on and I locked my wheels at turn eight, but thankfully I got away with it.
"We didn't know what to expect, but fortunately I got round and changed the tyres -- it was probably the best one this year.
"Again fortunately it didn't rain any more, and in the end it was about nursing the car home, making sure it stayed in one piece and bagging the points.
"I'm very proud of the job the team did, and I'm so glad to be here."
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh reflected: "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," said the Australian.
Explaining his slow getaway he reported: "I had a big bump on the formation lap, and although we altered the clutch, it was worse at the start.
"Once you have a micro-problem there it's massively exaggerated by the performance of the other guys.
"After that it was a pretty mixed-up race, so I'm happy with second in the end.
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-times 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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