Crazy end to Belgian Grand Prix (Video)
Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa tip-toeing to the flag, Nick Heidfeld and Fernando Alonso passing car after car, Kimi Raikkonen crashing, Heikki Kovalainen stopping… just what was going on in those mad final laps at Spa?
Here’s my video and notes on how the final laps unfolded. Please add anything else you spotted that I might have missed because it was hard to keep up!:
Belgian Grand Prix – final three laps
Belgian Grand Prix – other highlights
Lap 42: With rain falling, Hamilton catches Raikkonen and tries to pass him at the chicane. Raikkonen pushes him off, Hamilton goes ahead and lets Raikkonen past.
Nick Heidfeld, Timo Glock, Nico Rosberg, David Coulthard, Kazuki Nakajima and Jenson Button all pit for wet tyres.
Lap 43: Kimi Raikkonen runs wide at Pouhon. Then Hamilton goes off avoiding a Williams at Fagnes and Raikkonen squeezes between the pair of them to take the lead.
Raikkonen spins at the exit of Fagnes, letting Hamilton past. Then Raikkonen crashes at the exit of Blanchimont.
Fernando Alonso pits for wet tyres.
Lap 44: Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa crawl home first and second. Meanwheil, Heidfeld leaps from eighth to third on the final lap, passing Sebastien Bourdais, Sebastian Vettel, and Robert Kubica. Alonso loses a place to Heidfeld in the pits, and Heikki Kovalainen stops on the straight before Pouhon.
Adrian Sutil doesn’t pit and moves into 13th by passing Button and Kazuki Nakajima.
What else did you spot on the final few laps? Post your spots below.
Journeyer said on 7th September 2008, 16:19
Keith, better vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQm2zqnW5KA
More complete.
Michele said on 7th September 2008, 16:36
I think that a puncture may have led to Kimi wallcrash, take a look at the rear left tire in the video you posted.
I’m not 200% sure, but that tire seems not normal to me..
Zaphod said on 7th September 2008, 16:54
Poor Kimi, such a bitter end after such a great start and a flawless race! As far as I’m concerned, Raikkonen has 5 (five) wins at Spa!
Shane said on 7th September 2008, 17:04
On the run to pouhon after eau rouge didn’t Hamilton move across the track more than once? Maybe thats being investigated too?
Varun.S.Murthy said on 7th September 2008, 17:20
Sutil (on dry weather tires) overtook Button and Nakajima(both on inters) on a wet track?? If thats correct,thats pretty impressive..
chris said on 7th September 2008, 22:41
i think that hamilton deserved that win so bad i think it was Raikkonen’s fault and hamilton shoudlnt of been penalised
Michelle said on 8th September 2008, 1:10
FIA – anyone can see Lewis immediately backed off the lead after cutting the chicane then passed properly at the right moment. THIS IS RACING! People are just jealous and resentful that he’s accomplished so much in his his less than 2 years in Formula 1. The FIA bias against Lewis, Ron and McLaren has never been so disgustingly blatant. Let it go to the higher levels and let the data & video & team radio evidence be analyzed. Of course every driver wants to win, and sure, Massa will enjoy these bonus points, but will he feel right being named the winner of a race won by the true superstar of the day which was Lewis Hamilton? Kimi has not been in champion form lately. What was his penalty for driving into Sutil in Montreal? “Oops, sorry!” was enough. This is sheer idiocy! Give Lewis his win.
Please see link for petition against F1 decision. – http://www.petitiononline.com/belgp08/petition.h
Mark said on 9th September 2008, 23:04
F1 IS NOW MORE ABOUT MONEY POLITICS THAN RACING IM DISCUSTED ABOUT THE STEWARDS DESISION AND FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING VERY UNDERHAND GOING ON HERE..LEWIS GAVE A GREAT RACE AND WON THAT RACE FAIR AND SQUARE.