Sebastian Vettel masterful at the Belgian Grand Prix

He was alone in the world! Sebastian Vettel won the Belgian Grand Prix for the second time in his career, this Sunday afternoon on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, signing at the same time his fifth success of the year. On arrival, the pilot Red Bull beat his rival to the world championship Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), author of a very good second place after starting from 9th place. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), started from pole position, completes the podium.

During a surprisingly very calm race, the main thing was decided at the start. From first place, Hamilton started cleanly, keeping the benefit of his privileged position at the end of La Source. But the 2008 world champion did not negotiate the Raidillon de l'Eau Rouge in the best possible way, which did not escape Sebastian Vettel, just behind him. With a better top speed, the German would have no trouble overtaking the Silver Arrow. And was going to fly towards success, already having a 1”4 lead over his pursuer at the end of the first lap!

Behind, several drivers completely missed their takeoffs. Paul Di Resta (Force India), 5th, for example, would lose almost 3 places. The two Marussia drivers Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton, who had signed their best qualifications this Saturday in 15th and 16th positions, would find themselves 20th and 21st from the first hectometers of the race.

Alonso rises, Räikkönen falls

Starting 9th, Fernando Alonso quickly showed himself to be the only man capable of keeping up with Sebastian Vettel's pace. Gradually, the Spaniard moved up the hierarchy, until he returned to the exhausts of Lewis Hamilton. A great battle will take place between the two former teammates, from which the Asturian will emerge victorious. This is the last overtaking on the track that he will make, the Ferrari driver not being able to get back on Vettel's Red Bull, truly on another planet in the dry.

Because yes, the rain, contrary to what many people expected, even hoped, never appeared. Capricious and unpredictable, the weather at Spa-Francorchamps once again lived up to its reputation. This particularly trapped the Lotuses, partly set up for a wet track. Romain Grosjean finished 8th, while his teammate Kimi Räikkönen, victim of a brake problem, suffered the first retirement since his return to Formula 1, at the start of 2012, which ended a record series of 27 consecutive points finishes. And that makes him lose a lot in the Drivers ranking, who was Vettel's runner-up before starting this Belgian meeting, fell to 4th position, 63 points behind the German leader.

A step forward towards a 4th title

Sebastian Vettel has indeed taken a new step forward in the conquest of a fourth world crown in a row, now having 46 points ahead of Fernando Alonso, 2nd, and 58 over Lewis Hamilton, 3rd.

Discover the analysis of the Belgian Grand Prix carried out by our special correspondents in the next issue of AUTOhebdo, n°1924, available from Tuesday in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.