Vettel wins in Belgium Grand Prix and reduces Hamilton’s lead

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel won the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday and reduced Lewis Hamilton’s Formula One World Championship lead to 17 points to eight races by the end.

Hamilton (Mercedes), who won last year at the Belgian circuit, started first on the grid but finished second, while Max Verstappen (Red Bull) gave his numerous Dutch fans cause for celebration with his third-place finish.

The race got off to a bumpy start, with Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg blocking the brakes of his Renault in the first corner and crashing into Fernando Alonso’s McLaren from behind. The Spaniard’s vehicle was shot through the air and passed over Charles Leclerc’s Sauber.

The drivers involved were unharmed, although both Hulkenberg and Alonso had to leave the race.