Formula 1 News

2008 Belgian Grand Prix: Hamilton snatches last lap victory 

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton has won the 53rd edition of the Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit after an eventful and close battle with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. The rain fall just a few laps before the chequered flag and put an early end to Raikkonen’s race who, with two laps to go, lost the lead to Hamilton and a couple of turns later spun out onto the barriers and had to retire. Next to Hamilton on the Spa podium, Felipe Massa who took an unexpected second place followed by BMW’s Nick Heidfeld on third.

On race start, despite the damp track, all the drivers opted for the soft slick tyres. Raikkonen, P4 on the grid, made a great start by passing Kovalainen (P3) and teammate Massa (P2). On lap two, took advantage of Hamilton’s spin at Turn 1 and took the lead of the race.

Behind Raikkonen and Hamilton, Felipe Massa was following with Fernando Alonso on fourth, Sebastien Bourdais on fifth, Mark Webber on sixth and Robert Kubica on eighth. From there and until the last laps Raikkonen and Hamilton were exchanging fastest laps with the Briton closing up his gap to the Finn when both on Bridgestone‘s harder compound tyres.

The already predicted rain by race control, showed up with three laps remaining. The McLaren driver reached and passed the Finn but from that moment given the extremely slippery track, both drivers spun and slide onto the grass more than once until Raikkonen lost control of the car and hit the barriers allowing Hamilton to grab a last lap victory and Massa to finish second.

*UPDATE*: Lewis Hamilton lost his victory after he was given by the race stewards a drive-through penalty for a chicane cut. Massa wins, Heidfeld second, Hamilton third.

Nick Heidfeld, thanks to a quick pit for intermediates on the last lap, was able to grab an unexpected third place ahead of Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Robert Kubica, Sebastien Bourdais and Timo Glock.

Video: Final thrilling laps of the 2008 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps

Video: small recap and highlights of the 2008 Belgian Grand Prix:

2008 Belgian Grand Prix, Revised Race Results: