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Formula 1 Belgian GP

Belgian Grand Prix race day

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The race control computer notes that Ocon was doing some corner-cutting at Eau Rouge/Radillon. Verstappen highlights that on team radio too.
Ricciardo is running again after some repairs in the garage, but he's several laps down.
Vettel has already pulled out 1.9s over Hamilton, who has dropped the two Force Indias, which are under pressure from Verstappen.
Grosjean briefly had a think about passing Verstappen for fifth at Les Combes but has fallen back over the rest of this lap.
Vettel is completely safe from Hamilton attack as they hit the Kemmel Straight. Ocon has a half look at team-mate Perez for third into Les Combes.
Vettel has a big gap out of La Source.
Hamilton takes a look at Vettel at the Bus Stop but locks up and falls back a touch.
Green flag
Vettel is inching along, tyre-warming all the way... And now he guns it approaching Blanchimont but he doesn't shake Hamilton.
Vettel slows the pace right back at Stavelot so he can control the restart.
Information
The safety car will come in at the end of this third lap.
Ricciardo's wing damage was from being clipped by Alonso, and the Red Bull driver has taken responsibility for giving Raikkonen his puncture on the way out of La Source.
Replays show Bottas hit the back of a Williams at the first corner, so that explains why he's been into the pits.
Bottas is on supersofts, while Raikkonen has gone for mediums, which means a long stint for the Ferrari coming up.
Bottas was up to 14th but has come into the pits for a tyre change and dropped to last, which is only 16th now after all those early retirements.
The Williams drivers are big beneficiaries of that chaos, Sirotkin is up into the top 10 and Stroll is running 11th.
Information
Order: 1 Vettel; 2 Hamilton; 3 Perez; 4 Ocon; 5 Verstappen; 6 Grosjean; 7 Magnussen; 8 Gasly; 9 Ericsson; 10 Sirotkin; 11 Stroll; 12 Hartley; 13 Sainz; 14 Bottas; 15 Vandoorne
Hulkenberg is out too.
Crash
Ricciardo has damage too - he's pulled up at the Red Bull garage with most of his rear wing missing.
Alonso and Leclerc are both out of the race as a consequence of that accident damage.
The collision sent Alonso into Leclerc's Sauber and airborne.
Replays show Alonso was hit from behind by Hulkenberg, who was totally locked up into La Source.
Crash
Raikkonen has picked up damage and is touring with a rear puncture.
Yellow flag
Safety car is deployed.
Ocon drew three-wide with Vettel and Hamilton as they battled and looked for a moment like he might inch into the lead, but he has to back out and falls behind Perez into fourth.
Vettel drafts Hamilton on the Kemmel Straight and sweeps into the lead!
Crash
Massive accident further back as Alonso gets airborne after colliding with another car.
Lights green
Hamilton resists a challenge on the outside from Vettel into La Source.
The lights come on...
Through Blanchimont and approaching the Bus Stop for the leaders as the formation lap nears its end.
Green flag
Hamilton leads title rival Vettel away as they begin the formation lap.

By: Geoff Creighton

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