After a mid-season break, the Formula 1 Grand Prix is back again with the Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit de Spa-Francochamps, a circuit both spectacular and emotive. The La Source hairpin, the downhill plunge to Eau Rouge, the forest setting and the longest lap distance in the Formula 1 World Championship which according to the Formula 1 drivers, a fabulous track to race on and a fantastic race for us to watch. This time, Lewis Hamilton driving the McLaren wins the pretty damp and wet race.

The start was good for Hamilton, passing pole position Mark Webber of Red Bull. Then sometime on lap 2 it started raining causing havoc and cars were everywhere, on and off the track causing a Safety Car to be called out. Rubens Barrichello (his 300th F1 race by the way) driving for Williams retired due to a crash. The incredible thing was that it only rained for a short period causing those who changed tires to the intermediate compound during the Safety Car period to suffer as the track started drying soon enough. One driver who suffered badly was Fernando Alonso, who suffered from the Barrichello crash and two tire changes in a short period caused any chances of a podium for him to disappear.

Hamilton slowly but surely pulling away from second placed Jenson Button (Petronas Mercedes) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull). Vettel on lap 17 was caught out by some water on the track at the final chicane, lost control, zig zagged and drove right smack into the Mercedes of Button. The Red Bull really speared its way into the Mercedes destroying the car's radiator, Button could therefore not continue. Vettel pitted for a new front wing and was later handed a drive-through penalty. Tough luck as both as championship contenders.

Hamilton sometime after lap 36 nearly hit the barriers as it started getting wet again and nearly everyone had to pit for wet tires. By then, Hamilton was still in the lead, Mark Webber second, Kubica of Renault third with Filipe Massa of Ferrari in fourth.

In fact the rain made proper havoc after that. In lap 39, Alonso spun and the Ferrari stalled right smack in the middle of the track. This prompted another safety car as Alonso could not get it moving again (Formula 1 cars do not have a starter and has to be started by a race engineer). Three championship contenders were now out at this time. Alonso with his spin, Button after being taken out by Vettel and Vettel himself out of the points due to his crash and drive through penalty mentioned above.

By then, even after the restart of the race Hamilton had managed to pull away from Webber all the way to the finish. This has enabled him to garner the first place's 25 points, making him the current leader in the Drivers' Championship. This isn't a comfortable lead as Mark Webber trails by a mere 3 points. This is Lewis Hamilton's first victory at Spa, a milestone for him of sorts.

The drive and driver of the day has to go to Michael Schumacher. He started in 21st place due to a penalty. He made it all the way to 6th position before being pipped by his team mate Nico Rosberg (who also started quite far back in 14th) in the final laps of the race. Amazing drive from Schummi anyway. Hats off to the man.

The Results

01 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1hr29.04.268

02 Mark Webber RBR-Renault +1.5 secs

03 Robert Kubica Renault +3.4 secs

04 Felipe Massa Ferrari +8.2 secs

05 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes +9.0 secs

06 Nico Rosberg Petronas Mercedes GP +12.3 secs

07 Michael Schumacher Petronas Mercedes GP +15.5 secs

08 Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari +16.6 secs

09 Vitaly Petrov Renault +23.8 secs

10 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari +29.4 secs

11 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes +34.8 secs

12 Pedro de la Rosa BMW Sauber-Ferrari +36.0 secs

13 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari +39.8 secs

14 Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth +1 Lap

15 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault +1 Lap

16 Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth +1 Lap

17 Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth +1 Lap

18 Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth +1 Lap

19 Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth +1 Lap

20 Sakon Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth +2 Lap

Did Not Finish

Fernando Alonso Ferrari +7 Lap

Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes +29 Laps

Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth +39 Laps

Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 43 laps

-Barrichello DNF

photos:planetf1