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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sebastian Vettel wins Formula One’s Belgian Grand Prix

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany jubilates with his trophy on the podium after winning the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain placed second and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands placed third. (Geert Vanden Wijngaert / Associated Press)
By Jerome Pugmire Associated Press

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium – Sebastian Vettel made a crucial early overtaking move on Lewis Hamilton to win the crash-marred Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday and trim his rival’s overall lead.

Hamilton started from pole position for a record fifth time at Spa, and a record-extending 78th in Formula One, with Vettel second on the grid.

But Vettel has a knack for quick starts, and nudged his Ferrari past Hamilton’s Mercedes on the first lap with a smart move down the left.

It came moments after Fernando Alonso’s McLaren flew through the air and landed on top of Charles Leclerc’s Sauber. Leclerc, unharmed, was likely spared a head injury by the protective halo device surrounding the cockpit area.

Vettel finished about 12 seconds clear of Hamilton, with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen an impressive third after starting seventh.

Vettel’s 52nd career win closes the gap to Hamilton to 17 points heading into next weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza – Ferrari’s home.