Belgian Grand Prix race results: Monster crash ruins Daniel Ricciardo's hopes as Sebastian Vettel wins

James Pavey

•
Belgian Grand Prix race results: Monster crash ruins Daniel Ricciardo's hopes as Sebastian Vettel wins image

Sebastian Vettel cruised to victory in an action-packed Belgian Grand Prix to close the gap to championship leader Lewis Hamilton.

Vettel took the lead from Hamilton on the first lap before the field was compressed following a monstrous accident at the first corner.


Nico Hulkenberg rear-ended Fernando Alonso, who was sent flying into the path of an unexpecting Charles Leclerc.

Australia's Daniel Ricciardo was caught up in the incident, and was later forced to retire, as was Kimi Raikkonen.

Max Verstappen finished third, while Force India duo Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon finished behind a resurgent Valtteri Bottas.

MONSTER ACCIDENT AT THE START

There was absolute chaos at the start as Hulkenberg smashed into the back of Alonso.

Alonso was then tipped into the air and rammed into Leclerc, with the Sauber driver's Halo preventing him from the worst.




 

Ricciardo was hit, with his rear wing being damaged, and he was sent into Raikkonen, who picked up a puncture. Bottas also picked up damage, and all three pitted.

Vettel claimed the lead on the Kemmel Straight, with he and Hamilton having to fend off Ocon and Perez before the safety car was ultimately called.


 

VETTEL HOLDS STATION

Once in front, Vettel didn’t cede his lead.

As the field worked itself out following the safety car period, pit strategy later came into effect as Mercedes brought in Hamilton on lap 22, before Ferrari responded a lap later, Vettel retaining his lead.



Hamilton had initial pace, but was left to minimise the damage as the Ferrari took a liking to the power-hungry Spa circuit.

BOTTAS FIGHTS BACK

Starting 17th following component-related grid penalties, Bottas had it all to do.

The Finn negated past the first-lap drama, and worked his way up the field as the safety car period ended.

Notably, a pass on Brendon Hartley at Eau Rouge was a reflection of the Mercedes driver's tenacity as he would move to fourth at race's end.





VETTEL WINS; CLOSES THE GAP IN CHAMPIONSHIP

Vettel was unbeatable, cruising to his 52nd career win and 107th podium.

The German's win brings him to within 17 points of Hamilton in the championship standings.



 

Verstappen delighted the thousands of Dutch fans by claiming a surprise third place, while Bottas led home Perez and Ocon, capping a great weekend for Force India - made sweeter considering the financial troubles of months gone by.

Haas pair Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen were followed to the flag by Pierre Gasly, while Marcus Ericsson grabbed a point for Sauber.

 

2018 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX: RACE RESULTS

Position Driver Constructor Margin
1st Sebastian Vettel Ferrari  
2nd Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +11.061
3rd Max Verstappen Red Bull +31.372
4th Valtteri Bottas Mercedes +1:03.605
5th Sergio Perez Force India +1:11.023
6th Esteban Ocon Force India +1:19.520
7th Romain Grosjean Haas +1:25.953
8th Kevin Magnussen Haas +1:27.639
9th Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso +1:45.892
10th Marcus Ericsson Sauber +1 LAP
11th Carlos Sainz Renault +1 LAP
12th Sergey Sirotkin Williams +1 LAP
13th Lance Stroll Williams +1 LAP
14th Brendon Hartley Toro Rosso +1 LAP
15th Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren +1 LAP
DNF Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Retired
DNF Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari Retired
DNF Charles Leclerc Sauber Accident
DNF Fernando Alonso McLaren Accident
DNF Nico Hulkenberg Renault Accident

James Pavey

James Pavey Photo