Belgian GP champ hamilton says divine intervention helped him win
Belgian GP champ hamilton says divine intervention helped him win
Lewis Hamilton regained the initiative in the drivers' world championship in emphatic style on Sunday when he won a dramatic and incident-filled Belgian Grand Prix.
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| Overjoyed! Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren Mercedes celebrates on the podium after winning the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of Spa Francorchamps in Belgium yesterday. Pic/Getty Images |
McLaren's 2008 champion took the lead at the start and then controlled the 44-laps race through two safety car periods and some perilous weather conditions on his way to a well-deserved victory.
It was the Briton's first win in Belgium, his third win this season and the 15th of his career in his 64th Grand Prix.
It not only boosted his title hopes, but also made up for his disappointment in 2008 when, after finishing first, he was deprived of victory by a controversial stewards' decision.
Hamilton rode his luck when he had to in the capricious conditions and came home a clear winner, 1.5 seconds ahead of Mark Webber of Red Bull and 3.4 beyond third-placed Pole Robert Kubica of Renault, who lost his grip on second due to a bungled pit-stop, locked-up his wheels and slid into a mechanic.
"It has been a great weekend for me, but it was a very tough race," said Hamilton.
"I was praying for this race to go smoothly, but in very tricky conditions in the wet I went off at turn eight and, Jeez!, I think the Lord has hand over me there!
"In the end, I was there just happy to be in front and to nurse the car home."
Hamilton now has 182 points and leads the championship ahead of Webber, who began the day as the leader, now second on 179 points.
Belgian Gp Result
1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren
2. Mark Webber (AUS) Red Bull
3. Robert Kubica (POL) Renault
4. Felipe Massa (BRA) Ferrari
5. Adrian Sutil (GER) Force India
6. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes GP
7. Michael Schumacher (GER) Mercedes
8. Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) Sauber
9. Vitaly Petrov (RUS) Renault 23.851,
10. Jaime Alguersuari (ESP) Toro Rosso
11. Vitantonio Liuzzi (ITA) Force India
