SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium -- Lewis Hamilton secured an important victory in this year's championship after holding off title rival Sebastian Vettel for 44 laps at the Belgian Grand Prix.
In a race which saw the two championship protagonists go wheel-to-wheel twice down the Kemmel Straight, the Mercedes driver prevailed, slashing Vettel's championship lead to seven points in the process. The Englishman overcame a late Safety Car period, which saw him take on soft tyres and Vettel take on the quicker ultra-soft tyre.
Daniel Ricciardo claimed a brilliant third position for Red Bull after a stunning move at the Safety Car restart which saw him pass Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas at the same time on the Kemmel Straight, a pass with shades of Mika Hakkinen on Michael Schumacher (with the aid of Ricardo Zonta) in 2000.