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Belgium 26-28 Aug 2011Shell Belgian Grand Prix Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Francorchamps, Belgium Race Distance: 44 laps, 308.052 km The circuit at Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most storied courses in all of F1. The original 9.3 mile course created out of the public roads between Francorchamps, Malmedy and Stavelot in 1924 has been reduced to a much safer 4.3 mile course. While the infamous Masta Kink was lost in the name of safety, the phenomenal Eau Rouge turn remains, and is one of the most spectacular curves in all of motorsports, taken by Formula 1 cars flat-out. The rest of the course has a very old-school feel as it winds over and around the local hill-sides, providing the drivers the feeling of actually driving somewhere rather than just lapping in an enclosed stadium. Spa 2010 is another wet/dry race, not unusual for races in the Arden. Hamilton capitalized on a poor start by Webber to take the lead at light-out and on to the checkered flag. Webber drove well to retain 2nd. Kubica took 3rd, missing out on 2nd over a poor pitstop. Rain dominates all practice and qualifying sessions, allowing some of the younger drivers to make better than usual showings. Alguersuari will start 6th and Senna (replacing sacked Heidfeld) is in 7th, both out qualifying Alonso in 8th. Perez and Petrov start 9th and 10th. But at the top of the chart is still RedBull with Vettel continuing the season-long sweep of pole positions. Hamilton slots into 2nd, a full half-second behind Vettel's time. Webber starts 3rd in front of Massa and Rosberg. Maldonado receives a 5 spot penalty for intentionally hitting Hamilton after the conclusion of Q2. Schumacher will start last on the grid as he fails to complete a time as a rear tire falls of the car on his Q1 out-lap. The top 10 in Belgium: VET HAM WEB MAS ROS ALG SEN ALO PER PET The rain finally went away on race day, leaving a field on wet car setups that destroy front tires in the dry. Webber has another terrible start, while Rosberg makes an incredible launch vaulting from 5th to the lead on the first lap. Alguersuari's season best qualifying position is all for naught as he's knocked out in a first turn crash. Senna and Perez also fall back to finish out of the points. Up front, Red Bull overcomes their tire wear issues with Vettel setting a blazing pace that puts him back into the lead after the pits stops cycle and a safety car for Hamilton's wreck. Webber also finds himself up front, making the race an eventual Red Bull 1-2 victory. Button grabs the last podium spot by switching to the hard tires early in the race. Alonso moves up from his worst starting position of the season to finish 4th while teammate Massa drops from 4th to finish 8th. And to round out the top 5, Schumacher comes all the way from dead last with an amazing drive.
Shell Belgian Grand Prix Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Francorchamps, Belgium
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