Zoom A spin in the wet for Hamilton on lap two

Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag first in the 13th round of the championship from pole position after using a medium – medium - hard tyre strategy in an exciting Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps. The McLaren racer would later be penalised, handing the victory to Felipe Massa in the Ferrari.

Hamilton took the flag after losing his lead to Kimi Raikkonen on the second lap, but regaining it when rain fell on the circuit late in the race. Massa finished in second, 14.4 seconds behind Hamilton, whilst Nick Heidfeld vaulted from seventh position to take third by pitting for Bridgestone’s intermediate tyres for a final two lap blast through the field in the difficult conditions.

Hirohide Hamashima, Tyre Development Director
“This was a typical race at Spa, and by that I mean there was some excitement brought about by the weather. Our medium compound tyre worked well in the damp conditions, particularly for Kimi Raikkonen. The hard compound was more difficult in the damp conditions, but Lewis Hamilton controlled his very well, even when the rain came in the last three laps. Nick Heidfeld showed fantastic strategy at the end of the race with good judgement to move on to the Bridgestone wet tyre to get a podium position. Congratulations again to Toro Rosso for having both cars running strongly and finishing in the points.”

E.A. © CAPSIS International