FORMULA ONE
Rosberg on top in dramatic Belgian race
NICO Rosberg rekindled his bid for the drivers’ world championship by steering his Mercedes to a convincing victory in yesterday’s chaotic crash-hit Belgian Grand Prix, as Lewis Hamilton fought back to finish third.
Rosberg’s delight was reduced by his Mercedes teammate Hamilton’s damage-limiting and thrilling drive to finish on the podium after starting from the back row of the grid.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo finished second in his Red Bull.
The 31-year-old Rosberg, who started from his third successive pole position, led from start to finish in a 44- laps race fractured by accidents and incidents to secure his first victory in Belgium and his sixth of the season.
Hamilton, who started 21st after being handed 60 grid position penalties for taking three new powerunits through the weekend, remains narrowly ahead of Rosberg in the title race with 232 points to his 223.
German Nico Hulkenberg finished fourth ahead of his Force India teammate Sergio Perez, as the Silverstoneteam overhauled rivals Williams in the constructors’ championship.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari recovered from a firstcorner collision with his own teammate Kimi Raikkonen to take sixth ahead of Fernando Alonso, who had started 22nd on the grid.
Valtteri Bottas was eighth for Williams ahead of Raikkonen and Brazilian Felipe Massa.
The race was halted in the early stages when Dane Kevin Magnussen crashed heavily, but he limped away from his wrecked Renault car with only a damaged ankle. — AFP