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Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix. ------------------------------------------------- 14:00 The formation lap is underway at Spa. ---- 13:58 Stroll, Massa, Ericsson, Kvyat and Vandoorne start on super-softs. Wehrlein is on the softs. ---- 13:55 Five minutes until lights out. Will Vettel be able to extend his lead in the championship or can Hamilton claw the gap back? ---- 13:52 Unlike last time out at the Hungaroring, Spa has many overtaking opportunities including the run down the Kemmel Straight and into the Bus Stop Chicane at the end of the lap. ---- 13:50 In terms of the championship standings. Vettel holds a 14 point lead over Hamilton in the drivers' championship, while Mercedes has a 39 point lead over Ferrari. ---- 13:45 Palmer has been hit with a five-place grid penalty due to a gearbox change. He will start from 14th place. ---- 13:43 With Pirelli's aggressive tyre selection for this weekend's race, we may see teams split between the one and two stop strategies. The Ferraris have a fresh set of ultra-soft tyres available to use in the race. ---- 13:41 The opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix is always dramatic. In 2016, we saw Verstappen and the two Ferraris come to blows at La Source. In 2012, Grosjean in the Lotus caused a major crash on the opening lap, which resulted in him receiving a one race ban for the Italian Grand Prix. ---- 13:38 Hamilton was in a league of his own in qualifying, but it's not likely he will have it all is own way as Vettel and Raikkonen looked very strong on Friday while completing their race simulations. ---- 13:34 Verstappen will start from fifth ahead of Red Bull teammate Ricciardo. Hulkenberg starts seventh ahead of the two Force Indias, Perez leading Ocon. Alonso rounds out the top ten. ---- 13:32 Hamilton dominated qualifying yesterday and took his 68th pole position, moving level with Michael Schumacher. Vettel lines up second ahead of Bottas and Raikkonen. ---- 13:30 The pitlane is open at Spa-Francorchamps meaning the drivers are taking to the grid and the final preparations are underway ahead of this afternoon's Belgian Grand Prix. |
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Lap 1 |
Hamilton maintains the lead over Vettel, defending into Les Combes. Bottas stays third ahead of Raikkonen, Verstappen, Ricciardo and Alonso. |
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Lap 2 |
Great side by side action involving Alonso, Hulkenberg and Ocon down into Les Combes. Alonso gets back past Hulkenberg. |
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Lap 3 |
Hulkenberg uses DRS to overtake Alonso down into Les Combes. An easy move for the Renault driver. The gap between Hamilton and Vettel is at 1.0s. |
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Lap 4 |
After a great start, Alonso is dropping down the field as he is overtaken by Ocon in the Force India down the Kemmel Straight. Grosjean overtakes Haas teammate Magnussen using DRS for 11th. |
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Lap 5 |
Hamilton continues to extend his lead over Vettel to 1.8s, while Perez overtakes Alonso using DRS down the Kemmel Straight for ninth position. |
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Lap 6 |
Alonso is overtaken for the fourth time down the Kemmel Straight. This time it is Grosjean who is up to tenth place in the Haas. |
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Lap 7 |
Vettel has reduced the gap to Hamilton at the front to 1.6s. |
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Lap 8 |
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Lap 9 |
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Lap 10 |
The gap between Hamilton and Vettel at the front of the field remains at 1.6s. Further down the field, the first pit stops are underway with Magnussen and Stroll stopping for fresh rubber. |
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Lap 11 |
Ocon, Grosjean and Alonso are in for fresh rubber as they react to the likes of Stroll and Magnussen stopping a lap earlier. |
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Lap 12 |
Hamilton is in the pits for a fresh set of soft tyres. Hulkenberg and Massa have also made their first stops for new rubber. Hamilton rejoins the race in fourth ahead of Ricciardo. |
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Lap 13 |
A message from race control: Raikkonen is under investigation for failing to slow down under yellow flags. Vettel leads the race, but is yet to stop. Raikkonen stays out as Bottas makes his first stop of the race. |
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Lap 14 |
Perez overtakes Grosjean and Kvyat into Les Combes but cuts the corner in the process. Vettel makes his stop and puts on a fresh set of soft tyres. |
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Lap 15 |
Hamilton overtakes Raikkonen for lead of the Belgian Grand Prix. An easy move for the three-time champion. Now Raikkonen is in the pits for a fresh set of soft tyres. |
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Lap 16 |
Perez is under investigation for leaving the circuit and gaining an advantage when overtaking Grosjean and Kvyat. A 10-second stop/go penalty for Raikkonen, for failing to reduce his speed under yellow flags. |
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Lap 17 |
Vettel is just 0.9s behind Hamilton and is in DRS range. Raikkonen has served his 10-second stop/go penalty and has rejoined in eighth place. |
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Lap 18 |
Hamilton has extended the lead over Vettel to 1.5s meaning the German is no longer in DRS range. |
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Lap 19 |
Perez has been hit with a five-second penalty for gaining an unfair advantage when overtaking Grosjean and Kvyat. The gap at the front has remained the same at 1.5s. |
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Lap 20 |
Replays show Raikkonen overtaking Ocon for sixth place into the Bus Stop Chicane. |
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Lap 21 |
Vettel is just outside of DRS range of Hamilton. Bottas is a comfortable third ahead of Ricciardo. Raikkonen is catching Hulkenberg for fifth. |
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Lap 22 |
The gap between Hamilton and Vettel is staying at 1.6s, with Bottas is a further 5s back. |
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Lap 23 |
Raikkonen has got the gap to Hulkenberg in fifth down to 1.5s. |
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Lap 24 |
Vettel has reduced the gap to Hamilton to 1.3s, 0.5s quicker on that lap. |
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Lap 25 |
Raikkonen passes Hulkenberg comfortably for fifth place using DRS down the Kemmel Straight. |
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Lap 26 |
Alonso looks to have an issue. He has parked up and is out of the race. |
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Lap 27 |
Hamilton has extended his lead over Vettel to 1.8s. Further down the field, both Haas cars are in the points with Grosjean leading Magnussen in eighth and ninth respectively. Massa is a strong tenth after starting P16 on the grid. |
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Lap 28 |
Replays show Alonso forcing Palmer off the track at Bruxelles. The Spaniard is now out of the race though. |
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Lap 29 |
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Lap 30 |
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Lap 31 |
Both Mercedes and Bottas stop for a fresh rubber. Lots of action in the pit lane. |
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Lap 32 |
We are still under safety car conditions. Hamilton and Bottas are on softs while Vettel and Raikkonen are on ultra-soft tyres. ''There's no debris anywhere. Why is the Safety Car out?" asks Hamilton. |
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Lap 33 |
The safety car is in at the end of this lap. Hamilton (S), Vettel (US), Bottas, (S), Ricciardo (US), Raikkonen, (US). |
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Lap 34 |
Hamilton maintains the lead ahead of Vettel. Ricciardo overtakes Bottas for third. |
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Lap 35 |
Hamilton stays ahead of Vettel, while Raikkonen is beginning to pressurise Ricciardo for the final podium place. |
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Lap 36 |
Vettel is unable to get within DRS range of Hamilton, who is looking impressive on those soft tyres. Raikkonen is still behind Ricciardo in the battle for third. |
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Lap 37 |
No changes to the order with eight laps remaining as Vettel sets the fastest lap of the race. |
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Lap 38 |
Vettel is told he is able to push and not to worry about tyre life. He is still unable to get within DRS range of Hamilton. |
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Lap 39 |
Vettel has reduced the gap to Hamilton to 1.2s. Ricciardo is 4.4s behind the Ferrari. |
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Lap 40 |
The gap out in front is up to 1.3s. Ricciardo is looking comfortable in third ahead of Raikkonen and Bottas. |
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Lap 41 |
Vettel sets the fastest lap of the race -- a new lap record at Spa-Francorchamps, with a 1:46.577s. |
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Lap 42 |
1.5s is the gap between Hamilton and Vettel -- it looks like the Mercedes driver has this under control. |
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Lap 43 |
We are on the final lap of the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix and it looks like there will be no position changes on the final lap. |
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Lap 44 |
Raikkonen comes home fourth, leading Bottas, Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Massa, Ocon and Sainz. |
It's lights out and away we go at Spa!
Verstappen has a problem, he's slowing down. Heartbreak for the Dutch fans at the circuit. A sixth retirement in 12 races this year for the Dutchman.
Safety Car deployed. Lots of debris on track after the Force Indias collide.
Hamilton wins the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix ahead of Vettel and Ricciardo.
