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Formula 1
Belgian GP
2009 Belgian Grand Prix Race day at Spa-Francorchamps
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Following the dull Valencia race last weekend, what a great tonic to put the fizz back in Formula 1.
Ferrari are back in the winners' circle and Raikkonen takes his fourth victory at this great circuit. Force India made it a thrilling race at the front, and the team deserve huge credit for their improvements throughout the season.
But what of the championship protagonists? It was another disaster for Brawn, and for the second race in a row Red Bull couldn't really capitalise on their rival's misfortunes.
This was the Belgian Grand Prix weekend on AUTOSPORT Live. We hope you have enjoyed the coverage over the last three days.
Formula 1 now moves to the royal park in Monza. We will open up coverage of the Italian Grand Prix weekend on Monday 7th September with the all-important early weather forecast. See you then.
Ferrari are back in the winners' circle and Raikkonen takes his fourth victory at this great circuit. Force India made it a thrilling race at the front, and the team deserve huge credit for their improvements throughout the season.
But what of the championship protagonists? It was another disaster for Brawn, and for the second race in a row Red Bull couldn't really capitalise on their rival's misfortunes.
This was the Belgian Grand Prix weekend on AUTOSPORT Live. We hope you have enjoyed the coverage over the last three days.
Formula 1 now moves to the royal park in Monza. We will open up coverage of the Italian Grand Prix weekend on Monday 7th September with the all-important early weather forecast. See you then.
Today's result moves Rubens Barrichello to 16 points behind team-mate Jenson Button in the drivers' standings. Vettel's podium puts him back ahead of his team-mate and now 19 points off the series leader.
World Championship standings, round 12:
Drivers: Constructors:
1. Button 72 1. Brawn-Mercedes 128
2. Barrichello 56 2. Red Bull-Renault 104.5
3. Vettel 53 3. Ferrari 56
4. Webber 51.5 4. McLaren-Mercedes 44
5. Raikkonen 34 5. Toyota 38.5
6. Rosberg 30.5 6. Williams-Toyota 30.5
7. Hamilton 27 7. BMW Sauber 18
8. Trulli 22.5 8. Renault 16
9. Massa 22 9. Force India-Mercedes 8
10. Kovalainen 17 10. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 5
Six drivers retired from the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix:
Fernando Alonso pulled into the pits with a problem on the front left corner of the car.
Jarno Trulli was forced to retire at the midway point following a disastrous race.
Jenson Button, Romain Grosjean, Lewis Hamilton and Jaime Alguersuari were involved in clashes at the top of the hill at Les Combes on the opening lap.
Fernando Alonso pulled into the pits with a problem on the front left corner of the car.
Jarno Trulli was forced to retire at the midway point following a disastrous race.
Jenson Button, Romain Grosjean, Lewis Hamilton and Jaime Alguersuari were involved in clashes at the top of the hill at Les Combes on the opening lap.
The champagne sprays on the podium at the end of an enthralling Belgian Grand Prix. Spa has delivered a wonderful event in 2009.
Kimi Raikkonen does his customary and takes a sip of the bubbly before spraying his competitors.
Kimi Raikkonen does his customary and takes a sip of the bubbly before spraying his competitors.
Sebastian Vettel is happy with the third place trophy as he comes out best of the championship contenders today.
Giancarlo Fisichella takes his prize for a stunning drive to second place this afternoon. He pushed Raikkonen all the way to the flag in a great race.
Giancarlo is beaming from ear to ear as he lifts the trophy aloft.
Giancarlo is beaming from ear to ear as he lifts the trophy aloft.
Stefano Domenicali accepts the constructors' prize for Ferrari's first win of 2009.
Kimi Raikkonen takes the trophy with delight as he celebrates a return to the top of the podium.
The Italian national anthem can mean only one thing - tifosi joy. Ferrari are winners once again after a disastrous season.
The Finnish national anthem rings out on a Formula 1 podium once again, in honour of Kimi Raikkonen, winner of the Belgian Grand Prix.
Rubens Barrichello's Brawn has caught fire as he comes down the pitlane at the end of the race.
Timo Glock stays ahead of Adrian Sutil to finish tenth. Buemi, Nakajima and Badoer round up the classified finishers.
Fisichella celebrates wildly with the Force India team after a remarkable second place finish.
Raikkonen steps out of the Ferrari and is delighted after finally taking another win.
Heikki Kovalainen finishes a lonely sixth in the McLaren. Barrichello holds on for seventh with that smoky Brawn, leaving Rosberg in eighth and Webber pointless in ninth.
Robert Kubica secures fourth place with BMW team-mate Nick Heidfeld in fifth.
Sebastian Vettel scores an important third for Red Bull as his long strategy paid off.
Giancarlo Fisichella takes Force India's first-ever podium in second after a truly sensational drive from the Italian, pressuring Raikkonen all the way.
Kimi Raikkonen takes Ferrari's first win of 2009.
Making bold moves off the start, and despite contact at Les Combes on the first lap, the Finn got the perfect restart after the safety car to take the lead with KERS and just hold on through the distance.
It is Raikkonen's 18th win and his first since Spain last year.
Making bold moves off the start, and despite contact at Les Combes on the first lap, the Finn got the perfect restart after the safety car to take the lead with KERS and just hold on through the distance.
It is Raikkonen's 18th win and his first since Spain last year.
Lap 45: The battle for the lower points places gets closer and Rosberg is now 1.5 seconds behind sixth placed Barrichello.
Lap 44: Raikkonen leads into the final lap at Spa.
Lap 44: Meantime, Kimi Raikkonen holds the lead over Fisichella by just under one second as they fight to the bitter end.
Lap 44: Rosberg in eighth is just two seconds behind the ailing Barrichello and there could be another change to the order as we enter the last lap.
Lap 44: Jock Clear informs Barrichello on the radio that he needs to slow down and protect the engine. Kovalainen is now walking away from the Brawn in a safe sixth place.
Lap 43: There are some wisps of smoke coming from the back of the Brawn. Rubens Barrichello would appear to be in trouble.
Lap 43: Nico Rosberg puts in his personal best lap of the race and it's enough to stave off the challenge of Webber. The Red Bull driver is going to come away with no points for the second race on the bounce.
Lap 42: Raikkonen continues to hold the lead, still just under a second ahead of Fisichella's Force India.
Lap 42: Fights down the field:
• Kovalainen has Barrichello all over the back of him for sixth.
• Rosberg and Webber are scrapping over eighth.
• Sutil is attacking Glock for 10th, but now beginning to lose ground.
• Kovalainen has Barrichello all over the back of him for sixth.
• Rosberg and Webber are scrapping over eighth.
• Sutil is attacking Glock for 10th, but now beginning to lose ground.
Lap 41: There is massive tension in the Force India garage as they head towards their first points from Fisichella's sensational drive.
The team have been on course for points before, with ironically Raikkonen eliminating Sutil in Monaco last year and another clash between the pair at the Nurburgring.
The team have been on course for points before, with ironically Raikkonen eliminating Sutil in Monaco last year and another clash between the pair at the Nurburgring.
Lap 40: Sutil has a go at Glock for 11th place as the four cars fight over eighth.
Glock is dropping back from Rosberg and Webber now, allowing Sutil to challenge.
Glock is dropping back from Rosberg and Webber now, allowing Sutil to challenge.
Lap 40: The fight for sixth continues and Barrichello has the gap down to just 0.4s behind Kovalainen. Rubens would love to pass the McLaren and gain another point.
Lap 40: Sebastian Vettel sets the fastest lap as he continues to close in on the lead pair.
Lap 38: Behind the squabbling foursome, Buemi is five seconds back in 12th, with Nakajima 13th and Badoer now a distant 14th.
Lap 38: Webber of course needs this point badly to help his championship chances.
Lap 38: Nico Rosberg leads the four-car scrap for the final point into another lap. Webber, Glock and Sutil are all right there with the Williams.
Lap 38: Vettel is now up to a strong third after a long strategy paid off for the young German.
Lap 37: Kimi Raikkonen leads again for Ferrari with eight laps remaining in Spa with Fisichella continuing to give an amazing chase in the Force India.
Lap 37: Down the field the battles rage as they all close up at the conclusion of the pitstops.
Kovalainen is seventh and has Barrichello stuck to him like glue. Rosberg has rejoined from that stop in eighth and Webber slots in behind him in ninth. Glock closing in tenth. Adrian Sutil is right behind Glock in 11th
Kovalainen is seventh and has Barrichello stuck to him like glue. Rosberg has rejoined from that stop in eighth and Webber slots in behind him in ninth. Glock closing in tenth. Adrian Sutil is right behind Glock in 11th
Lap 36: Vettel takes soft tyres and his final slug of fuel and he's done very well on that stint - out ahead of Kubica in third.
By: Emlyn Hughes, Geoff Creighton
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