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Stubborn Hamilton marks 200th race with Spa success
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Winner Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa on August 27, 201 (Agence France -Presse/John Thys)
L
ewis Hamilton completed his 200th Grand Prix in victorious style on Sunday when he claimed a much-needed win for Mercedes to trim Sebastian Vettel’s championship lead to seven points.
The 32-year-old Briton made the most of his record-equalling 68th pole position to take the lead, but had to survive some concerted attacks from Vettel’s Ferrari before emerging triumphant for the fifth time this season.
It was the three-time world champion’s third Belgian victory and the 58th of his career, lifting him back into serious contention for the title.
Another victory in next Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix could give him the lead for the first time this year.
Four-time champion Vettel came home second ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, Finn Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari and his compatriot Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes.
“It's been a strong weekend for myself and the team," said Hamilton.
"Sebastian put up a great fight, but this is what I said I came to do here and so I did it."
Vettel said: "It was good fun, but it was intense. I was waiting for Lewis to make a mistake – and he didn’t – and he was waiting for me – and I didn’t.
"We did a lot better than at Silverstone. And next week is our home race… A good day overall.”
After an emotional demonstration lap by Mick Schumacher, 18, to mark the 25th anniversary of his father Michael’s maiden victory at the 1992 Belgian race, there was a keen sense of anticipation ahead of the start.
