What we learned from the Belgian GP

HAMILTON KEEPS DAMAGE TO A MINIMUM

After storming from the back of the pack to third place, Hamilton jumped on his private jet and headed to London. He spent the evening playing with his dogs Roscoe and Coco in Regent’s Park before heading out to dinner with his mother Carmen Lockhart. The 31-year-old was sporting a broad grin, and who could blame him? Hamilton has long feared the engine penalties – which have been looming over him since the opening rounds of the season – would derail his bid to win a third consecutive title. But after losing only 10 points to Rosberg following a superb recovery drive, the Englishman still remains in charge of his own destiny. Yet, after his brilliant showing at Spa, Hamilton admitted he was not anticipating such a strong result. “If you go into Christmas Day expecting stuff, at some stage you are going to be disappointed that you got shoelaces instead of a car,” said Hamilton. “That is how I am.”

BITTERSWEET DAY FOR ROSBERG

Not for the first time in his career, Hamilton’s heroics left Rosberg in the shade – despite sealing his sixth victory of the season. The German attempted to remain upbeat after the race, taking a behind-the-scenes podium selfie with Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo while joking that he could not believe Hamilton had finished third. “I saw ‘HAM’ in P3 and I was like, ‘What?’ ‘Seriously?’,” Rosberg said. A brave face perhaps, but the German will know that Hamilton’s grid penalty was his golden opportunity to take a hefty chunk out of his rival’s title lead. Reducing the deficit by just 10 points will be considered somewhat of a failure.

MAGNUSSEN’S FORTUNATE ESCAPE

Kevin Magnussen expects to take part in this week’s Italian GP despite a harrowing crash in Belgium. The Danish
driver lost control of his Renault through Eau Rouge at 180mph before crashing into a tyre wall. Mercifully, he emerged with only a cut to his ankle. Renault team principal Fred Vasseur said: “I have the feeling he had huge wheelspin on the kerb, but let’s see about the reasons. We have to take time to analyse exactly what has happened.”

FRUSTRATION FOR BUTTON

Jenson Button will want to forget what could be his final appearance in an F1 car in Belgium. The 2009 world champion, who is fighting for his future in the sport, was punted out of the race in the opening exchanges by the Manor of Pascal Wehrlein. “We looked really good for points, so it’s disappointing,” said Button, who started from ninth. “Pascal made contact with me at Turn Five. There was a lot of damage.”

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