Sebastian Vettel wins 2013 Belgian GP

Sebastian Vettel cruised to an easy victory at the 2013 Belgian Grand Prix. The Red Bull ace had to work hard on the first lap to overtake pole sitter Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes AMG) but once that was done he remained unchallenged.

Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) was the big improver the head of the field, finishing second after starting from P9. Lewis Hamilton had to content himself with P3.

Nico Rosberg (Mercedes AMG) finished where he started in P4, while Mark Webber (Red Bull) dropped two places to finish fifth. Although, there was word just before the race began that Webber had clutch issues which may explain his slow getaway off the line and why he dropped three places after the first lap.

Toro Rosso will be pleased that their drivers made good ground after their qualifying woes. Starting from P19 Daniel Ricciardo managed to fight his way to P10 to claim a championship point, while Jean-Eric Vergne improved from P18 to P12.

Aside from a bit of a kerfuffle with Pastor Maldonado (Williams) and the two Force India drivers which sent Paul di Resta in for an early shower not much else happened.

Tonight’s win is Vettel’s 31st career victory which places him equal fifth on the all-time tally alongside Nigel Mansell. What odds he’ll join Fernando Alonso on 32 wins at Monza in a couple of weeks?

2013 Belgian Grand Prix final placings

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing – 44 Laps (25 pts)
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari – +16.8 secs (18 pts)
3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG – +27.7 secs (15 pts)
4. Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG – +29.8 secs (12 pts)
5. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing – +33.8 secs (10 pts)
6. Jenson Button McLaren – +40.7 secs (8 pts)
7. Felipe Massa Ferrari – +53.9 secs (6 pts)
8. Romain Grosjean Lotus – +55.8 secs (4 pts)
9. Adrian Sutil Force India – +69.5 secs (2 pts)
10. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso – +73.4 secs (1 pt)
11. Sergio Perez McLaren – +81.9 secs
12. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso – +86.7 secs
13. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber – +88.2 secs
14. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber – +1 Lap
15. Valtteri Bottas Williams – +1 Lap
16. Giedo van der Garde Caterham – +1 Lap
17. Pastor Maldonado Williams – +1 Lap
18. Jules Bianchi Marussia – +1 Lap
19. Max Chilton Marussia – +2 Laps

Retired/Not classified
Paul di Resta Force India – +18 Lap
Kimi Räikkönen Lotus – +19 Lap
Charles Pic Caterham – +36 Laps

Fastest lap
Sebastian Vettel Red Bull – 1:50.756 (Lap 40)

2013 F1 world championship – Drivers (top 10)

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing – 197
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari – 151
3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG – 139
4. Kimi Räikkönen Lotus – 134
5. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing – 115
6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG – 96
7. Felipe Massa Ferrari – 67
8. Romain Grosjean Lotus – 53
9. Jenson Button McLaren – 47
10. Paul di Resta Force India – 36

2013 F1 world championship – Constructors

1. Red Bull Racing-Renault – 312
2. Mercedes – 235
3. Ferrari – 218
4. Lotus-Renault – 187
5. McLaren-Mercedes – 65
6. Force India-Mercedes – 61
7. STR-Ferrari – 25
8. Sauber-Ferrari – 7
9. Williams-Renault – 1