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Formula One
STAT WRAP: Belgian Grand Prix
The craziness in Belgium lasted beyond the checkered flag.
Sean Kelly  |  Posted September 07, 2008   Spa, Belgium
The duel between Raikkonen and Hamilton ultimately led to Massa being presented with the win. (LAT photo)

If you’ve ever doubted just how much a sprinkle of rain can totally change the complexion of a race, Sunday should have put that doubt firmly to rest, as Lewis Hamilton emerged from a crazy ending to snatch arguably the most dramatic win of his career, only to lose it on a highly contentious penalty.

Most of the race was dominated by Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, who was attempting to join Jimmy Clark (1962-65) and Ayrton Senna (1988-91) as the only men to win four consecutive Belgian Grands Prix. He looked set to do so, as he led most of the afternoon – the first time he’s led a race since Magny-Cours, five races ago.

Unfortunately the weather gods were not shining on the Finn, and the rain would prove to be his undoing when, after a fantastic exchange of positions with Hamilton, he spun into the wall exiting Blanchimont with two laps to go. It means that Kimi still has the distinction of winning every Belgian Grand Prix he has ever finished.

His demise left Hamilton to romp home, with a final lap nine seconds quicker than Massa to make sure, apparently taking victory on the 40th anniversary of Bruce McLaren’s win at Spa, the first F1 victory for his eponymous team. Hamilton had therefore extended his lead in the championship to 8 points, the biggest gap for any one driver since Raikkonen was 9 points clear after winning in Spain.

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