Leader Hamilton cruises to win in Belgian GP

The Briton, who started from pole and led every lap, crossed the line 8.4 seconds ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas, who gave Mercedes a one-two finish. Max Verstappen, taking his sixth consecutive podium finish in his Red Bull, was third.

Hamilton’s win at a sunny Spa-Francorchamps circuit on Sunday, which left him two short of Michael Schumacher’s record tally of 91 victories, was his fifth in seven races. It lifted him 47 points clear of Verstappen in the overall standings after 10 of this season’s 17 races. Bottas closed the gap to Verstappen, but is third.

Daniel Ricciardo, who took the extra point for the fastest lap, finished fourth, ahead of teammate Esteban Ocon, who snatched the fifth spot from Red Bull’s Alexander Albon on the final lap. Lando Norris, the sole McLaren in the race after teammate Carlos Sainz failed to make the start due to an exhaust issue, was seventh, ahead of Pierre Gasly.

The Racing Point pairing of Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez rounded out the top-10. Ferrari, winner in Belgium for the last two years, finished outside. Already enduring a miserable weekend, its lack of speed was laid bare down the Spa track’s long straights, with rivals picking it off with ease.

Sebastian Vettel, questioning the team’s strategy, was 13th. Charles Leclerc, winner last year, could do no better than 14th. The race was largely incident-free with the exception of an early safety car. It was sent out after a crash involving Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi and George Russell in a Williams.

The Italian lost control of his car at the exit of the fast Fagnes chicane. Russell, running behind Giovinazzi, collected a loose wheel that came off the Alfa Romeo, leaving debris strewn across the track.