Belgian GP
29/08/2010, from 13:00 hrs
Venue:
Spa-Francorchamps
Weather:
rain
L. Hamilton
McLaren
M. Webber
Red Bull
+1.5
R. Kubica
Renault
+3.4
F. Massa
Ferrari
+8.2
A. Sutil
Force India
+9.0
N. Rosberg
Mercedes GP
+12.3
Positions and times
1
L. Hamilton
McLaren
1:49.0
2
2
M. Webber
Red Bull
1:50.5
2
3
R. Kubica
Renault
1:49.8
2
4
F. Massa
Ferrari
1:50.1
2
5
A. Sutil
Force India
1:50.7
2
6
N. Rosberg
Mercedes GP
1:51.6
1
7
M. Schumacher
Mercedes GP
1:52.0
1
8
K. Kobayashi
BMW Sauber
1:51.7
2
9
V. Petrov
Renault
1:51.1
2
10
J. Alguersuari
Toro Rosso
1:51.5
3
11
V. Liuzzi
Force India
1:52.2
4
12
P. Rosa
BMW Sauber
1:52.5
4
13
S. Buemi
Toro Rosso
1:52.9
4
14
N. Hülkenberg
Williams
1:51.8
2
15
S. Vettel
Red Bull
1:50.8
5
16
H. Kovalainen
Lotus Racing
1:55.7
3
17
L. Di Grassi
Virgin Racing
1:55.7
1
18
T. Glock
Virgin Racing
1:55.2
3
19
J. Trulli
Lotus Racing
1:55.1
1
20
S. Yamamoto
HRT F1 Team
1:55.4
2
21
F. Alonso
Ferrari
1:51.3
3
22
J. Button
McLaren
1:52.8
0
23
B. Senna
HRT F1 Team
2:10.0
3
24
R. Barrichello
Williams
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0
Commentary
Lap: 44 of 4414:41
Join us again for our live commentary of the Italian GP from Monza in 2 weeks' time. Enjoy the rest of your day and keep racing!
14:40
Vettel is 31 points down on Hamilton, Button in 4th place is 35 points down and Alonso is 41 points adrift of the World Championship leader.
14:39
Hamilton is now 3 points ahead of Webber in the World Championship. In the contructors' standings, Red Bull are one point ahead of McLaren.
14:36
Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Bruno Senna and Rubens Barrichello retired.
14:35
Sebastian Buemi is in P13. Nico Hülkenberg is in P14 and, after a terrible race, Sebastian Vettel is in P15. Timo Glock finished in P18.
14:34
Hamilton has reached the finish line and wins the Belgian GP. Webber is 2nd, Kubica 3rd. Massa, Sutil, Ropsberg, Schumacher, Kobayashi, Petrov and Alguersuari are also in the points.
14:33
As things stand, Hamilton will now lead the World Championship tables 3 points in front of Webber.
14:32
Hamilton will finish 1st, followed by Webber and Kubica.
14:30
We're on the final lap.
14:30
2 laps to go. Hamilton has a comfortable lead. Webber will surely not take any risks. Kubica, too, will not want to take a chance with his P3 just to attack Webber.
14:29
Pedro de la Rosa went off briefly onto the gravel but is able to continue.
14:27
Liuzzi attacks Alguersuari in a fight for P11.
14:27
Vettel is making good progress but is still only 15th as he lost a lot of time with his damaged tyre.
14:26
Hamilton, Webber and Kubica appear to have everything under control. Trulli spins and is almost hit by other drivers.
14:25
Four laps to go and the race restarts. Hamilton retains his lead. Rosberg overtakes Schumacher and is in P6.
14:25
Lap 40 and the safety car is still out. The race lasts 44 laps. The safety car will come in one this lap. On the restart it could be tight.
14:24
As the intermediate's a harder compound than the rain tyre, it cools down more quickly, which makes it more difficult at the restart. Hamilton thinks that the safety car should go quicker so that his tyres don't cool down too much.
14:22
Red Bull are telling Vettel that it's wet enough for rain tyres but Vettel is having none of it. The drivers on intermediates are having problems and at the restart, Vettel could have an advantage on his rain tyres.
14:21
Hamilton has arrived behind the safety car followed by Webber.
14:21
Neither Alonso nor Button will score points. The field is now bunching up. Five and a half laps to go. Alonso spun because he was on a slippery demarcation line.
14:20
Fernando Alonso has a damaged nose-cone and his race is over. He has probably had a smash somewhere. The safety car is on its way.
14:19
Vettel has to pit again and go onto the rain tyres.
14:18
It's raining heavier at the start/finish but other parts of the track are dry. That could mean problems for the intermediates, which quickly deteriorate.
14:17
Another investigation for Vettel. This time it's to do with an incident with Fernando Alonso in the pits, possibly an unsafe release.
14:16
Hülkenberg is taking a big risk. He's the only one to keep his slicks. He's having a hard time.
14:16
The current positions: Hamilton, Webber, Kubica, Massa, Sutil, Schumacher, Kobayashi, Alonso, Rosberg, Petrov.
14:15
At the rear of the circuit, the rain has stopped but it's still a bit wet around the start/finish.
14:15
Hamilton retains his lead, despite his mistake. Webber is in P2, Kubica in P3. Vettel is currently in P16.
14:14
Webber, too, is on intermediates. His pit stop was quicker than Kubica's and he goes up a place.
14:13
Hamilton, Kubica, Webber and Massa come into the pits. Hamilton goes onto intermediates.
14:12
Hamilton is leading but he's lost a lot of time.
14:12
Apart from the top 4 drivers, everyone has pitted. Vettel, too, has gone onto the rain tyres.
14:11
Hamilton is in the gravel, just after hearing from his team that he should stay out as long as possible. He gets out of the gravel, but loses time.
14:10
The race leaders are in big trouble as the rain increases. Sutil, Schumacher, Kobayashi and everyone behind them pit.
14:10
Kubica and Massa also stay out.
14:09
Hamilton is approaching the start/finish. He stays out. This could be a risky strategy. Red Bull are getting ready but Webber, too, stays out.
14:09
Timo Glock pits straight away and goes onto rain tyres, not intermediates.
14:08
It's raining. Not very heavily for the moment, but that will change. It should rain for around 20 minutes.
14:07
Hülkenberg attacks de la Rosa at Les Combes. The Spanish driver has the racing line and is able to defend his P12.
14:07
If it should start to rain heavily, then the Mercedes strategy will go awry. Schumacher and Rosberg have yet to pit. They are in P6 and P7 and could keep these positions, should everybody need rain tyres.
14:05
Fernando Alonso is unable to get the better of Kobayashi and is way behind the Sauber.
14:05
Hamilton is posting one excellent lap after another and is now 12 seconds up on second-place Kubica. Webber is around 3 seconds down on Kubica.
14:04
The sky's getting darker. It's going to get interesting.
14:04
The Sauber apparently has better acceleration than the Ferarri.
14:03
Alonso attacks Kobayashi in a fight for P8. On the start/finish straight he's not able to keep up with the Japanese driver.
14:03
Hamilton now posts the fastest lap.
14:02
When the rain comes, who will be most affected? The rain could really change the positions.
14:01
The weather radar is now showing a big bank of clouds approaching the circuit. There could be a heavy shower.
14:01
Vettel claws his way up to P20 after his enforced pit stop due to tyre damage. He is a lap down and is around 10 seconds behind Heikki Kovalainen.
14:00
Lapping other drivers has not been a problem today. Hamilton has already passed one or two drivers and neither Kubica nor Webber have been impeded greatly.
13:58
Hamilton is leading the race from the front.
13:57
According to the Ferrari team radio, it's going to rain in 20 minutes. This would be Vettel's only chance to score points.
13:57
Vettel has made it back to the pits and changed his tyres. He has dropped down to P19.
13:56
Vettel's run of bad luck is continuing. Whilst overtaking, he collided with Tonio Liuzzi, ruining his left rear tyre. Now he's got a long way to limp back to the pits. This time, though, it was Liuzzi's fault.
13:55
Kubica now posts the fastest lap. His fresh tyres are doing a good job. Hamilton will soon be able to counter-attack.
13:54
Meanwhile, Vettel has overtaken Alguersuari and de la Rosa and is now in P12.
13:54
On the Camel straight, Sutil easily overtakes Schumacher. The difference in top speed was huge.
13:53
Adrian Sutil has bagged the fastest lap so far. He's attacking Michael Schumacher.
13:53
Hamilton now pits for a tyre change, but will keep his lead.
13:52
Hamilton, Schumacher, Trulli and di Grassi have yet to pit.
13:52
Kubica re-emerges just in front of Webber, who is in a good position on the Camel straight.
13:51
Kubica and Massa pit.
13:51
Button is walking around the paddock, not looking happy.
13:50
Vettel posts the fastest lap but is still in P14.
13:50
We've reached the half way stage at Spa. Hamilton has a comfortable lead, followed by Kubica, Massa and Mark Webber is just pitting. The Australian driver rejoins the track in P4. Michael Schumacher is in P5, but will have to pit again soon.
13:49
Sutil pits to change his tyres. He rejoins the track in P8. Vettel is currently 14th.
13:49
If the rain should mess up everything then Mark Webber will be well down on Vettel in the World Championship.
13:46
Let's take another look at the Vettel/Button crash. Vettel's car went out of control under braking on the last chicane because of the wet conditions and hit the McLaren in the side. Game over for Button, whereas Vettel just needed a new nose-cone.
13:45
Vettel now pits and sits out his penalty.
13:44
Vettel isn't giving up and attacks again, even though he's still got to serve his drive-through penalty.
13:44
Liuzzi counter-attacks after the Eau Rouge turn and overtakes thanks to his Mercedes engine.
13:43
Vettel manages to pass Liuzzi at La Source.
13:43
Vettel gets a drive-through penalty for the instant with Button.
13:42
Hamilton is almost 11 seconds up on Kubica, and so is sitting pretty, even if it should rain.
13:42
Vettel now attacks Liuzzi in the battle for P12.
13:41
Hamilton is told that Button is out of the race.
13:40
Hamilton and Webber have gained an advantage from the crash between Button and Vettel, as they could make up a lot of ground in the World Championship race. Fernando Alonso is now in P9.
13:39
Vettel could be given a penalty for what happened, either in this race or the next. Race stewards are investigating the incident.
13:38
It was clearly Vettel's mistake, but Button has to suffer the consequences. Vettel has dropped well down the field and is now in P12. Hamilton still leads. Mark Webber is behind Robert Kubica in P3.
13:37
There were a few drops of rain and Vettel's car lost traction as he braked and so the accident was inevitable.
13:37
Button's race is over. His car is too badly damaged.
13:36
Vettel tries to attack Button but, in doing so, crashes into Button's car. He returns to the pit with a damaged nose-cone.
13:36
Fernando Alonso squirts past Liuzzi on the chicane just before the start/finish and is now in P13.
13:35
The coming rain should be like at the start, when the lead drivers were able to manage without changing their tyres.
13:34
Kobayashi tries to attack Rosberg, but makes a hash of his braking and Rosberg keeps his P11.
13:33
Further down the field, Alonso is sticking close to Liuzzi.
13:32
Hamilton has now extended his lead to 8.6 seconds.
13:32
If Button holds up the group for any longer, then Adrian Sutil will soon be joining it. He's currently in P7.
13:31
Michael Schumacher hears on the team radio that it should stay dry for the next five minutes.
13:31
Felipe Massa joins the group behind Button.
13:30
Alonso is scrapping with Liuzzi for P13, but his first attack fails.
13:29
Kubica and Webber have closed on Vettel and are putting pressure on him.
13:29
Because of the light damage to his front wing, Button can't go very fast, but the McLaren's speed is keeping out Vettel.
13:28
Vettel is sticking close to Button, but neither on the last chicane, nor on La Source, can he pass him.
13:27
The collision between Barrichello and Alonso will be investigated after the race. Barrichello might be given a penalty for the next race.
13:27
Rosberg , Schumacher and Petrov are scrapping for position. Rosberg collided briefly with Schumacher and has lost a piece of his front wing. Petrov is in P9, Schumacher P10 and Rosberg P11.
13:23
The race stewards have made a decision - Vettel won't be penalised.
13:23
It should rain again in about 20 minutes. Jenson Button should be able to manage on the soft tyres until then, but it could be difficult for him.
13:22
Trulli is overtaken and Alonso is now in P14.
13:22
Alonso overtakes Lucas di Grassi and Pedros de la Rosa and is in P16. He now has Jarno Trulli in his sights.
13:21
Hamilton extends his lead to five seconds.
13:20
Button appears to be impeding Vettel's progress as Kubica comes up from behind.
13:20
Senna's race looks to be over, as the rain clouds approach. Vettel is now up close to Button, but has no chance of overtaking.
13:19
Fernando Alonso has dropped well down because of his second pit stop. He's having to battle his way past the new teams and is currently in P17.
13:19
Hamilton is still doing very well. Petrov, too, is very quick and has moved up from P11 to be with the leaders. Michael Schumacher is in P12.
13:17
Vettel is now all over Button but, because of the McLaren's superior top speed, overtaking could be problematic.
13:16
Senna now pits. He might have damaged his car; his engine is being repaired.
13:16
Bruno Senna spins but is able to continue.
13:15
So far, Hamilton has posted the fastest lap. Button can't keep up the pace and Vettel is closing on him.
13:15
Perhaps it could also be because Kubica forced Vettel onto the grass on the Eau Rouge turn.
13:14
Sebastian Vettel and Robert Kubica are being investigated. Perhaps the stewards think that they gained an unfair advantage on the chicane when everyone else went off-track.
13:13
Alonso and Alguersuari have to pit again to change from intermediates back to slicks.
13:13
Button has some damage to his front wing, and so is having to go easy.
13:12
Hamilton is able to edge away from Button and Kubica puts pressure on Vettel.
13:12
Hamilton leads from Button, whilst Vettel chases them both. They are followed by Kubica, Webber and Massa.
13:11
Vettel took the outside line at La Source and was able to cut in and overtake Kubica.
13:11
On the restart, Vettel overtakes Kubica and is third.
13:10
The cars have now taken up position behind the safety car. Petrov, Schumacher, Senna, De la Rosa, Alonso, Kovalainen, Glock and Buemi have pitted and are all outside of the top ten.
13:09
The lead cars stay out and don't pit. Kamui Kobayashi pits, but his crew aren't ready and have to fetch the tyres.
13:08
The safety car comes out, and it's Hamilton, Button, Kubica, Vettel, Webber, Massa, Hülkenberg and Sutil.
13:07
Webber is now fourth, ahead of Massa. Hamilton is drawing away a bit. Button is still second.
13:07
The first drivers are coming into the pits. Vettel goes off onto the grass. Button makes a mistake and Vettel is now third, despite an excursion on the grass.
13:06
Alonso collided with Barrichello.
13:06
On the last chicane, almost everyone went off. Alonso and a Williams collide.
13:05
It's now raining.
13:05
Hamilton is able to hold off Kubica. Button has to defend his position against Vettel.
13:04
Sutil attacks Webber and just edges in front but Webber counter attacks.
13:04
Webber drops down behind Massa into P6.
13:03
Mark Webber has a poor start. He's overtaken by Hamilton, then it's Kubica, Button and Vettel.
13:03
We're underway.
13:03
Lewis Hamilton thinks he's just felt some rain drops.
13:02
The cars are just returning from the formation lap.
13:01
The other teams think differently. We'll just have to see what happens.
13:01
Renault are predicting heavy rain in the next 8 minutes, lasting for around 5 minutes.
13:00
Everyone has got away okay.
13:00
They're away on the formation lap.
12:59
The mechanics are leaving the grid and the formation lap will commence soon.
12:58
Back to the question of the weather: the sun is out again, so it looks like we're in for a dry race start.
12:57
Today's race could have a big effect on the World Championship, as there are only 20 points separating the top 5 drivers - there are 25 points for a win this season.
12:55
Good luck is needed because the Spa circuit is long and, if it should rain after you've passed the pits, you can lose a lot of time. Conversely, if it rains just before the pits, you can gain time by pitting.
12:54
When the rain begins, then it probably won't matter a deal - it will be just down to good luck and clever strategy.
12:53
Hamilton is going to have to look out because Kubica, in P3, is also using the F-Duct this weekend. Hamilton has the advantage, though, that his Mercedes engine is more powerful than the Renault.
12:52
Things are slowly working up to a climax as the race draws closer. McLaren now think that it will rain in the second half of the race.
12:51
Meanwhile, Rubens Barrichello is very relaxed. It's his 300th GP today, although there are some doubts as to whether he has actually contested 299 GPs already.
12:50
According to the HRT crew, there are no rain clouds within a 30 kilometre radius.
12:49
Mark Webber is now looking good. Mechanics have just finished working on his car in the pits but he has arrived safely on the grid, saying that they were just making sure there wasn't a problem.
12:47
Drivers could be given a penalty if they break this rule. But if they have to do so to avoid an accident then it will be permitted. Also, astroturf has been put in place to slow a return to the track.
12:46
Race stewards will also be looking carefully at drivers on the first turn, La Source. Steward, Nigel Mansell, has told drivers that they must stay within the white line and not go outside it.
12:45
If conditions are dry for the start of the race then the drivers are going to have an interesting time. So far this weekend, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton have only been able to put in 4 dry laps with full tanks so they don't know how the start will go
12:42
According to Virgin Racing, it's going to rain at around 13:30 BST but Red Bull are still trying to work out when it might rain.
12:41
Looking down beyond the start/finish straight, however, you can see blue sky.
12:40
The weather's changing again. The sun has gone behind the clouds and it's looking black over the circuit right this minute.
12:40
Also to consider are the penalties against Sebastien Buemi, Timo Glock and Pedro de la Rosa. Glock and Buemi impeded the progress of some drivers during qualifying. De la Rosa had to use the 9th new engine of the season, but only 8 are allowed per driver.
12:38
Outside the top ten, things have changed quite a bit. Michael Schumacher has dropped down ten places because of the incident with Rubens Barrichello and Nico Rosberg has gone down five places because of his gear box change.
12:37
Mark Webber is on pole. Lewis Hamilton is next to him on the front row, followed by Robert Kubica, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button, Felipe Massa, Rubens Barrichello, Adrian Sutil, Nico Hülkenberg and Fernando Alonso.
12:36
This means that the start positions are relatively unimportant as compared to other circuits. But of course, the leading cars have the best advantage, as usual.
12:35
Here in the Ardennes, the weather can change from minute to minute and a showewr can break out on the track at any time.
12:34
Since yesterday, the teams have been trying to work out whether it's going to be dry or wet. They keep looking at the weather reports and at the moment think it will be dry at the start and that the sun may come out for a while.
12:32
The big question at the minute, though, is - what's the weather going to do?
12:25
Welcome to Spa-Francorchamps! The race will start at 13:00 BST but who is going to be in the points today?
For officially confirmed data and results from the Formula One World Championships, please visit www.formula1.com.