Belgian Grand Prix LIVE result: Latest updates from F1 today as Lewis Hamilton wins at Spa

Follow the latest updates from the seventh round of the 2020 F1 season at Spa-Francorchamps as Hamilton extends his world championship advantage

F1 preview: A lap of the Spanish Grand Prix

Follow the latest updates live from the Belgian Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton attempts to make it five wins from seven this season, but the six-time world champion could well be in for an unpredictable afternoon.

Hamilton blitzed his way to pole position on Saturday, lapping more than half-a-second faster than second-placed Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen in third. However, the long run from Turn One through Eau Rouge and up to Les Combes offers the chance for those behind the leader to attack, as we’ve seen countless times in the past.

But there is also the threat of rain, with showers expected before the start of the race and sunny weather expected after to trigger a drying track. With Daniel Ricciardo in the low-downforce Renault in fourth, it could be a topsy-turvy opening lap at Spa. Follow the live updates below.

Key Points

• Top 5: 1. HAM 2. BOT 3. VER 4. RIC  5. OCO
• Hamilton takes fifth victory of the season
• Bottas comes home in comfortable second place with Verstappen third
• Giovinazzi crashes and takes out Russell
• Sainz suffers DNS due to exhaust failure

[30 August 2020 13:33 · Jack de Menezes]

Let's recap how qualifying played out.

It was as close to perfect for Lewis Hamilton as it gets, with the championship leader out in front in a class of his own. The Mercedes No 1 topped all three sessions and broke the track record twice on his way to sealing his fifth pole position of the season, which puts him just six shy of being the first driver to register 100.

Behind him, Max Verstappen came within a whisker of beating Valtteri Bottas to second, but it was the Daniel Ricciardo-driven Renault in fourth who really caught the eye. The McLaren-bound Australian has struggled this year, but with a low downforce set-up on his car this afternoon, he could prove a major issue for the lead drivers.

Further down the grid, it was another difficult day for Ferrari. They managed to scrape through to Q2 by the skin of their teeth in 14th and 15th - right on the cusp of the elimination zone - and that only got one place better as they failed to get through to Q3.

[30 August 2020 13:20 · Jack de Menezes]

Lewis Hamilton starts from pole position and is favourite to win the race. Words you've heard so many times before - 94 to be truthful - but it may not be so straightforward today.

It could prove to be a fascinating Grand Prix this afternoon with so many factors to bring in. To start with, Spa remains the most challenging circuit on the F1 calendar, long than any other by more than a kilometre, with the likes of Eau Rouge and Raidillon, Double Gauche and Blanchimont taken at full throttle.

Then there's the tyres. Pirelli have deployed to softer range of compound that could play right into the hands of Max Verstappen and Red Bull, having last been seen when the Dutchman won at Silverstone in the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix.

And last but not least - this is Spa, and Spa means rain. With the forecast predicting rain at some point during the race, an unpredictable afternoon is in store.

[30 August 2020 13:12 · Jack de Menezes]

Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the Belgian Grand Prix.