The Belgian Grand Prix saw another fine win for Daniel Ricciardo, a thrilling four-way battle between Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and the McLarens, and an all-Finnish fight for third.
But one subject dominated the post-race discussion on Twitter – particularly when Lewis Hamilton told the media Nico Rosberg had admitted to ‘hitting him on purpose’.
Here are the best Tweets from Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps.
Very heavy rain at Spa overnight, but the sun is out this morning and in theory we will have a dry race pic.twitter.com/x9Xpxu2d8p
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) August 24, 2014
Support races
Red Bull’s Alex Lynn added to his championship lead in the GP3 sprint race, while Williams’ Felipe Nasr took victory in GP2.
Great to win today! Extremely hard with the conditions, and huge pressure from behind, but a much needed victory today #redbulljuniorteam
— Alex Lynn (@alexlynnracing) August 24, 2014
Big congrats to @FelipeNasr on winning today's GP2 race in Spa in a dominant display @BBnosEsportes #BancoDoBrasil pic.twitter.com/cP11uYlEci
— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) August 24, 2014
Fun morning of racing in the feeder categories. @FelipeNasr showing he is not going to be a pushover for the GP2 title. Bring on Monza!
— Will Buxton (@willbuxton) August 24, 2014
The race
The Belgian Grand Prix was dry, but before the start it seemed like rain was to be expected.
Raining in spa again
— Jennie Gow (@JennieGow) August 24, 2014
Almost impossible to predict the weather with a sky like this #Spa #F1 pic.twitter.com/2G0ZDXYrPS
— Mattzel89 (@Mattzel89) August 24, 2014
Andre Lotterer was getting ready for his maiden Formula One start, but it would all be over soon. The team later said the loss of power might have been caused by him running over a kerb at Blanchimont.
Last checks with engineers for @Andre_Lotterer before getting in the car pic.twitter.com/VkaaHfHfPU
— Caterham F1 Team (@CaterhamF1) August 24, 2014
Awesome start by Vettel. clocked as leader after first sector but drops to third as he overcooks it and outbrakes himself at Les Combes.
— Byron Young (@byronf1) August 24, 2014
It's taken 12 races, but it's happened. Rosberg challenges Lewis, clips the rear wheel. Left-rear puncture. War could be on the way…
— Daniel Johnson (@danielt_johnson) August 24, 2014
Oh it's on now. #F1
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) August 24, 2014
A lot of debris on the track from Hamilton's car but no Safety Car. No sign of a penalty for Alonso either. Race control having a nap? #F1
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) August 24, 2014
Bizarre problem for Rosberg – he's got some debris caught on his aerial! #F1 pic.twitter.com/aSuL1YOls8
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 24, 2014
Lewis sounds very much like he wants to throw in the towel. Understandable, given his car is ruined, but Spa madness can still happen.
— Daniel Johnson (@danielt_johnson) August 24, 2014
"Lewis it may not feel it but your pace is good. You're only a tenth off being purple in the middle sector. We'd be kicking ourselves." #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 24, 2014
Kevin Magnussen defended aggressively – first against Nico Hulkenberg, then against three world champions.
#F1 If there is one #dangerous thing and should b investigated,it is changing direction just before the braking point as e.g. Magnussen did
— Nick Heidfeld (@NickHeidfeld) August 24, 2014
Think uncle Ron will be liking the fighting spirit of @KevinMagnussen
— Anthony Rowlinson (@Rowlinson_F1) August 24, 2014
Hamilton eventually parked his car six laps from home.
The green light on top of the Mercedes indicates it is safe to approach the car. They need a light like that for the driver… #F1
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) August 24, 2014
After the chequered flag
Daniel Ricciardo took another victory for Red Bull, his third of the season, as the Mercedes incident was centre of attention.
Unusual to see Rosberg being booed on the podium. Whatever happened with Hamilton, don't like to see that at all.
— Daniel Johnson (@danielt_johnson) August 24, 2014
Hilarious response from @nico_rosberg when asked about the collision with Hamilton: "I haven't seen it yet." Hmm… #F1
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) August 24, 2014
What a race and so much discussion, would not like to be in charge of the Mercedes debrief later
— Mike Gascoyne (@MikeGascoyne) August 24, 2014
Rosberg on Lewis incident: "I can't comment, I've not seen it yet" Inside he's thinking, "18 points, 18 points, hahaha, yippee!"
— f1bastard (@f1bastard) August 24, 2014
Moment of impact. Whatever happens in debrief, ROS bagged the points. HAM post race interview on BBC excellent #F1 pic.twitter.com/PNQESTYNL8
— Mark Gallagher (@_markgallagher) August 24, 2014
Ros/Ham just racing incident. Effectively the same thing between Alo and Vet at La Source at end of race.. Can't blame Ros for what followed
— Alexander Sims (@AlexanderSims) August 24, 2014
Remains of Rosbergs wing… Guessing quite a lot of people will be talking about this bit of carbon fibre tonight. #F1 pic.twitter.com/igtlgHkddD
— Drew Gibson (@drewgibsonphoto) August 24, 2014
People have to look more IndyCar racing to see what contact means, that ROS/HAM was just racing incident, very settle touch.
— Luiz Razia (@luizrazia) August 24, 2014
Nico Rosberg about to go into the Mercedes inquest. Won't be able to dodge it there as he has in the press conferences #f1 #firingsquad
— Byron Young (@byronf1) August 24, 2014
"He basically said he did it on purpose. He said he could have avoided it. He said 'I did it to prove a point." Lewis on Nico.
— Alan Baldwin (@alanbaldwinf1) August 24, 2014
Just spoken to Merc and they confirm the quotes from Lewis on what Nico said are correct – should be interesting going forward #f1
— Jennie Gow (@JennieGow) August 24, 2014
https://twitter.com/Jason_A_Swales/status/503566736499933184
A pity that the Mercedes saga has taken our attention away from another stunning performance from @danielricciardo
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) August 24, 2014
So it's all kicked off @MercedesAMGF1 again & I can't help but think back to @McLarenF1 in 2007. Both drivers played devious games then too.
— Marc Priestley (@f1elvis) August 24, 2014
@f1fanatic_co_uk Depends, but you'll probably find guys on each side of garage take sides with their own driver, that's what happened in '07
— Marc Priestley (@f1elvis) August 24, 2014
Toto Wolff looking increasingly exposed as someone who probably shouldn't be in the role he is. Rudderless and reactionary. #F1
— sniffermedia (@sniffermedia) August 24, 2014
Points really important for @clubforce in respect of taking @Lotus_F1Team's position in the "Strategy Group" at the end of the Season.
— Oliver Weingarten (@OWeingarten) August 24, 2014
Another great race. After Montreal, that's 2 wins in the 2 most demanding tracks engine wise. Let's see how it goes in Monza. #F1
— Cyril ABITEBOUL (@Cyroul) August 24, 2014
Magnussen received a penalty for not giving Alonso enough room. Looking at the screen, it was clear cut. #F1 #TWF1 pic.twitter.com/r5H7DaLShD
— Tom Wilkinson (@TomWilkinsonF1) August 24, 2014
I don't know of the tv cams catched it all, but I lost count on how many times Vettel almost binned it in pouhon. Some great saves there
— Mattzel89 (@Mattzel89) August 24, 2014
Drivers react
@maxchilton yeah that was a fun all-race battle mate!! But just to let you know, next time I'll beat you 😉
— Marcus Ericsson (@Ericsson_Marcus) August 24, 2014
.@ValtteriBottas: Our pace was solid today & we had some good battles with Ferrari & Red Bull & I think 3rd was probably the right result
— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) August 24, 2014
Uphill race we had today, but happy to have helped the team with the maximum possible points. Monza next stop!
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) August 24, 2014
The Max we cut take out of today's Race !Good points and looking fwd to Monza !Let's keep it up our good start of the 2nd half of the season
— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) August 24, 2014
Lucky to get away with a point! Shame About Qualy otherwise am sure there was more possible today! Really enjoyed the GP tough! Great track👍
— Nico Hülkenberg (@NicoHulkenberg) August 24, 2014
Freak yeah. Get yo freak on 😜
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) August 24, 2014
Kamui Kobayashi was not at Spa, where rumours were flying about other potential occupants of his seat. How many races does he have left in 2014?
Paris pic.twitter.com/o9qEaPJxnZ
— KAMUI KOBAYASHI (@kamui_kobayashi) August 24, 2014
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2014 Belgian Grand Prix
- Rosberg says he chose to apologise for Spa crash
- Third win, second Driver of the Weekend for Ricciardo
- Spa serves up another race to remember
- 2014 Belgian Grand Prix team radio transcript
- Hamilton: “We both made mistakes”
Lawrence Adekoya (@ladekoya)
24th August 2014, 22:20
Gutted for Lotterer. Imagine being so excited for your Grand Prix debut, having outqualified your teammate by over a second, and then your car gives up on the first lap! Hopefully this won’t be the last we see of him because I saw a driver who should be in F1 long term. I also would have liked to see what Rossi could have done in the Marussia but that’s done and dusted, and once more, I’d love to see what he could do.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
25th August 2014, 0:53
Loooool at Kamui’s tweet. So lonely xDD
lawrence
25th August 2014, 2:21
Some of these people that call themselves “media” are no more mature, responsible than an elementary school kid. No integrity at all.
BasCB (@bascb)
25th August 2014, 6:27
some more quality tweets there Keith!
Craig Attwood
26th August 2014, 16:12
Remember Hamilton’s ‘lies scandal’ at the 2009 Australian G.P. I really don’t think we can put too much reliance on his ‘version’ of what Nico Rosberg said about deliberately crashing into him, during the 2014 Belgian G.P.
He’s always finding something to cry about.
Go Niko !