Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps Race

Lewis Hamilton was denied a dramatic Belgian Grand Prix win, after race stewards dropped him to third place following a late race battle with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen that left the Briton on the top step of the podium and the defending champion's title hopes as shattered as his car after the Finn crashed out.

Hamilton had toiled through 41 laps behind Raikkonen, the Finn having stolen the lead on the second lap of the race after Hamilton had spun at the La Source hairpin on lap two.

The Englishman had reeled the defending champion in over the intervening period, but with a few laps left and a second between them it looked like three-time Belgian GP winner Raikkonen had done enough to seal his first win since Spain, over three long months ago.

But, in true Spa fashion, then came the rain. Three laps from home and with the pair almost nose to tail the heavens opened and a classic and chaotic battle ensued. As they went into the Bus Stop chicane, Hamilton made his first attempt, banging wheels with Raikkonen as they fought for control on worn, dry-weather tyres on an increasingly treacherous track.

Raikkonen and Hamilton had a battle. At some moment Hamilton went off the track, cutting the chicane.. Raikkonen reacted and then Hamilton was inside the Ferrari, brushing past as they headed for the hairpin. Raikkonen tried to nudge back in front, down the inside of the hairpin and tapped the McLaren, but it only pushed Hamilton forward and the Briton took the lead.

Raikkonen later crashed into a wall and resigned. The lead was taken by Hamilton finishing the race as the first, but Stewart's later decided hid overtaking was wrong and gave him a 25s penalty letting Massa the win, Heidfeld second place and Ham managed to qualify on third place.

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pic 1: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps
pic 2: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps

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pic 1: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps
pic 2: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps

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pic 1: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps
pic 2: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps

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pic 1: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps
pic 2: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps

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pic 1: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps
pic 2: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps

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pic 1: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps
pic 2: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps

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pic 1: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps
pic 2: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps

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pic 1: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps
pic 2: Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps