Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has dominated the Belgian Grand Prix to take his fifth victory in seven races this year and the 89th of his career.
The series leader and six-time champion registered his 89th career win with another flawless drive to take his fourth Belgian triumph, finishing 8.448 seconds clear of his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
It was Hamilton’s fifth win in seven races this year and extended his record run of points-scoring races to 40.
Max Verstappen came third for Red Bull, seven seconds further adrift, to claim his sixth podium finish in succession.
Hamilton is two victories away from Michael Schumacher‘s all-time record and set to equal his seven titles.
The Briton, who had to nurse his car home on worn tyres, has 157 points in the title race, 47 clear of Verstappen.
Hamilton paid tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman, star of the superhero movie Black Panther, who has passed away from cancer aged 43.
Speaking on his win, he said:
It wasn’t the easiest of races. It was a bit of a struggle, but nonetheless I think it was ok in the end.
At the British Grand Prix at the start of August, Hamilton had clung on to win after one of his tyres disintegrated.
He said;
I was concerned that we’d have a scenario like Silverstone, but the tyre seemed to have quite a bit of rubber left on it at the finish.
Bottas admitted he could not match his team-mate’s pace, stating;
The start was a good opportunity, but Lewis played it really well and I just couldn’t catch him. In the same car, with Lewis driving a flawless race, it was really difficult.
Verstappen said he had a dull afternoon, adding;
It was pretty boring, not very interesting and not much to do. I ran out of tyre at the end so I was just stretching it out and saving the tyres.