Belgian Grand Prix 2018: Sebastian Vettel wins to close gap on Lewis Hamilton - as it happened

Follow all the latest from Spa-Francorchamps

Formula 1: Official intro video

Lewis Hamilton starts the Belgian Grand Prix from pole position after yet another wet-weather masterclass in qualifying.

As the rain swept in over the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, Hamilton took advantage of the tricky conditions to finish comfortably clear of title rival Sebastian Vettel. Frenchman Esteban Ocon will line up in a shock third place for Force India ahead of his team-mate Sergio Perez.

Vettel, who trails Hamilton by 24 points in the driver's championship, was the strong favourite to take pole with Ferrari holding the advantage over Mercedes in the dry. But as the rain arrived in the seconds before the top-10 shootout, it was Hamilton who took the spoils to finish a mighty seven tenths clear of the German.

We will have all the latest updates from Belgium:

---

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load...

Preview

What time is it?

The 2018 Belgian Grand Prix starts at 14.10 BST.

What channel is it on?

The race is live on Channel 4 with coverage beginning at 1pm. The race is also being shown live on Sky Sports F1 with their show starting at 12.30pm.

What if I don't have access to a TV?

You can watch the race online via SkyGo. The race is also being broadcast live on BBC 5Live.

Who's going to win?

Lewis Hamilton is Evens to win from the front with title rival Sebastian Vettel a shade odds on at 5/4. If you fancy a longer shot Max Verstappen is 25/1 to pull off the upset.

[26 August 2018 15:27 · Jack Watson]

Lap 38/44

Bottas is not closing in on Perez as much as he may have hoped and is running at the same pace as the Force India. He has six laps to close the 1.8 second gap.

[26 August 2018 15:29 · Jack Watson]

Lap 39/44

1. Vettel

2. Hamilton + 6.2

3. Verstappen + 24.4

4. Perez + 32.1

5. Bottas + 1.4

6. Ocon + 8.4

7. Grosjean +5.6

8. Magnussen +5.8

9. Gasly +10.9 

10. Ericsson +7.9

[26 August 2018 15:30 · Jack Watson]

Lap 40/44

This could get interesting. Bottas is now less than a second behind Perez and now has the DRS available to him. He eyes him up at the end of the Kemmel Straight but doesn't have enough pace this lap. Watch this space.

[26 August 2018 15:31 · Jack Watson]

Lap 40/44

Got him! This time around he gets him at the same place that he tired last lap. Perez tried to put up a fight but Bottas has way too much speed and takes fourth. 

[26 August 2018 15:38 · Jack Watson]

Lap 44/44

Vettel wins the Belgian Grand Prix

He's done it! It was a bit of a procession in the end, but it's an important win which closes the gap on Hamilton's Championship lead down to 17 points.

It was a quiet race between Vettel and Hamilton on the track, but we have certainly learned a little bit about the German's Ferrari, it was very quick today, There's still eight races to go, and this form suggests that Ferrari will have the edge in Monza.

[26 August 2018 15:39 · Jack Watson]

[26 August 2018 15:41 · Jack Watson]

Vettel brings himself back into the Championship contention after an understated drive. He stole the lead from Hamilton at the end of the Kennel Straight on the first lap and held onto it for the next 43 laps. 

Hamilton has a look at Vetell's car, what does he think?

[26 August 2018 15:49 · Jack Watson]

"He drove me past me like I wasn't there"

The podium drivers have given their view on the race and Lewis Hamilton admits that Mercedes are playing catch-up with Ferrari

Sebastian Vettel "First lap I had a great start, not sure if Lewis saw me he pushed me far to the left. I timed it well up the hill, it seems like it I was better this year, we had a little bit less wing, timing is crucial and I managed that well.

"As soon as I was ahead I was quite revealed. (After the safety car) I had a good restart, had a very good exit and after that it was a very smooth race, Lewis pushed very hard but it was a great weekend."

Lewis Hamilton: "I did everything I could in the race and we performed quite well this weekend. (Vettel) He drove me past me like I wasn't there on the straight and we need to do everything we can. He would have sailed past me down the straights, I did what I could, we've just got to keep working."

Max Verstappen: "After the first 10-12 laps, initially it was chaotic we strayed out of trouble and after that we did our own race. Before we had been a bit unlucky but I'm very happy with today."

[26 August 2018 15:52 · Jack Watson]

Vettel closes Hamilton's Championship lead

That's all from us from another exciting weekend at Spa. The Drivers' Championship may be opening up with Ferrari providing Vettel with a far superior car. Check out the report below and keep an eye on the website from all the reaction from Belgium.