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Belgian Grand Prix: Full coverage

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What to expect at the Belgian Grand Prix (2:26)

Jennie Gow and Maurice Hamilton pick their favourites for Spa as Formula 1 returns from the summer break. (2:26)

A round up of all the coverage of the Belgian Grand Prix as Formula One returns to action following the summer break, with Sebastian Vettel heading to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps with a 14-point lead over chief title rival Lewis Hamilton.

Follow all the action of the weekend with us.

Post Race

Horner: Red Bull not getting money's worth from Renault
After witnessing Max Verstappen suffer another engine failure at the Belgian Grand Prix, Red Bull boss Christian Horner issued a message to Renault: "Get your act together".

Ocon moving on from Perez clash
Esteban Ocon is ready to put the two incidents with Sergio Perez behind him after releasing a statement on Twitter saying he accepts his teammate's apology.

Ferrari's pace at Spa makes Hamilton cautious
Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari's pace at the Belgian Grand Prix could be an ominous sign for the remainder of the season as he targets his fourth world title.

Perez 'very disappointed' by Ocon's reaction to Spa clash
Sergio Perez has hit back at Esteban Ocon after his Force India teammate claimed Perez had put his life at risk in an incident at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Bottas: I'm not out of title race yet
Valtteri Bottas is refusing to rule himself out of the 2017 Formula One title fight despite slipping 41 points behind Sebastian Vettel in Belgium.

Toro Rosso hands Sean Gelael four FP1 outings
Toro Rosso has confirmed Formula 2 driver Sean Gelael will drive for the team in four of the next six FP1 sessions.

Race

Hamilton prevails at Belgian Grand Prix after Sebastian Vettel duel
Lewis Hamilton secured an important victory in this year's title battle after holding off Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel for 44 laps at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Story of the race: Hamilton vs. Vettel living up to billing, Ricciardo seizes the day
ESPN rounds up the main talking points from the Belgian Grand Prix, which saw Lewis Hamilton win his 200th grand prix and cut the gap to Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel in the championship.

Who said what after the Belgian Grand Prix
ESPN rounds up all the reaction from up and down the Spa-Francorchamps paddock following the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix

Force India drivers no longer free to race after Belgian GP clash
After seeing the team's drivers collide twice at the Belgian Grand Prix, Force India Chief Operating Officer Otmar Szafnauer says Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon will no longer be allowed to fight each other freely.

Ocon: Perez put my life at risk
Esteban Ocon says Force India teammate Sergio Perez put both their lives at risk in their clash during the Belgian Grand Prix.

Vettel: Belgian GP restart too quick for my own good
Sebastian Vettel got close to snatching the lead from Lewis Hamilton at the Safety Car restart at the Belgian Grand Prix -- though the Ferrari driver thinks it may have been "too close" for his own good.

Raikkonen frustrated by 'completely pointless' stop-go penalty
Kimi Raikkonen does not think he deserved a penalty for failing to obey double-waved yellows at the Belgian Grand Prix because the incident in question was not on the circuit itself.

Hamilton explains how he kept Vettel behind at Belgian GP restart
Lewis Hamilton says a little bit of luck and some high-speed judgement were crucial in keeping Sebastian Vettel behind him in the closing stages of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Verstappen: I'm rivalling Alonso for retirements
Max Verstappen says he is rivalling McLaren's Fernando Alonso for having the most bad luck in the 2017 Formula One season after retiring from the Belgian Grand Prix.

Pre-race

Belgian Grand Prix strategy guide
ESPN's detailed guide to all the best strategy choices for the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix.

Massa: Williams being out-developed by midfield rivals
Williams' "painful" weekend leading up to the Belgian Grand Prix is proof the team is failing to match its midfield rivals' rate of development, according to Felipe Massa.

Alonso says he's had multiple offers for 2018
Fernando Alonso claims to have had multiple offers for next season and says he has already rejected 60 per cent of them.

F1's drivers recall favourite Michael Schumacher memories
Over the weekend, many of the current crop of F1 drivers were asked to share their first and favourite memories of the seven-time world champion. We have rounded up the best of the responses below.

Wolff: Mercedes did not approach Vettel
Toto Wolff insists Mercedes held "zero" discussions with Sebastian Vettel about the possibility of a switch from Ferrari.

Qualifying

Hamilton ties all-time Schumacher record with decisive Belgian Grand Prix pole
Lewis Hamilton moved level with Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 68 career pole positions after setting a new track record of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit and edging Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel to the top spot by 0.242s.

Story of qualifying: Hamilton and Vettel show class in Spa showdown
ESPN rounds up the main talking points from qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, a session which saw Lewis Hamilton move level with Michael Schumacher's all-time record for pole positions.

Who said what after qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix
ESPN rounds up all the reaction from up and down the Spa-Francorchamps paddock following qualifying for the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix.

Alonso: McLaren would have a one-two at Spa without Honda deficit
After another qualifying session ended by a loss of power, Fernando Alonso took a swipe at McLaren's engine partner Honda.

Vettel thanks 'generous' Kimi Raikkonen for Q3 tow
Sebastian Vettel thanked Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen for giving him a tow on his final Q3 attempt, one which aided him to second on the grid for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Hamilton humbled to match Michael Schumacher F1 pole record
Lewis Hamilton said he was left feeling honoured and humbled after matching Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 68 Formula One pole positions in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Bottas unable to explain why he's missing pace at Spa-Francorchamps
After settling for third on the grid for the Belgian Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas said he has been unable to explain his lack of pace compared to Mercedes teammate and polesitter Lewis Hamilon so far this weekend.

Vettel: It was a no brainer to remain at Ferrari
After signing a new contract with Ferrari this weekend, Sebastian Vettel said it had been a straightforward decision to commit to the Italian team for the next three years.

Final Practice

Raikkonen leads Ferrari one-two in FP3
Kimi Raikkonen set a new lap record at Spa-Francorchamps to secure the fastest time in final practice for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, while title rivals Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton were split by just 0.001s.

Vettel signs three-year Ferrari extension
Ferrari has confirmed Sebastian Vettel will remain at the team until the end of 2020.

Massa handed five-place grid penalty
Felipe Massa has been hit with a five-place grid penalty for failing to slow for double-waved yellow flags during final practice for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Renault still open to 2018 McLaren engine supply
Renault has confirmed talks have taken place with McLaren about an engine deal for next year and managing director Cyril Abiteboul says he remains open to the idea.

Alonso expected more from new cars at Spa
Fernando Alonso says the challenge of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit is little different in 2017 despite Formula One's more aggressive and demanding cars.

Friday Practice

FP2 Report: Hamilton fastest in FP2 before Spa wash-out
Lewis Hamilton edged Kimi Raikkonen by 0.262s to top Friday's afternoon practice session, which saw the top five drivers covered by 0.5s.

FP1 Report: Raikkonen on top in FP1 as Mercedes sticks to hardest tyre
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen edged Lewis Hamilton by 0.053s to top the opening practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Who said what after practice for the Belgian Grand Prix
ESPN rounds up all the reaction from up and down the Spa-Francorchamps paddock following Friday practice for the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix

Why Spa should be a reminder of Kimi Raikkonen's true talent
Maurice Hamilton looks back at why the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit should be a reminder of Kimi Raikkonen's true talent.

Hamilton: 'Really important' to win in Spa and Monza
Lewis Hamilton says wins at the next two races will be important if he is to beat Sebastian Vettel to this year's title.

Vettel 'not happy' with Friday performance
Sebastian Vettel was disappointed with his performance during Friday practice at the Belgian Grand Prix after finishing the second session 0.482s off title rival Lewis Hamilton.

Massa insists crash not related to dizziness
Felipe Massa insists his crash during opening practice for the Belgian Grand Prix had nothing to do with the illness that ruled him out of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Ricciardo says Verstappen will calm driving style with age
With the dust settled from their clash at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo is certain Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen will "iron out" his first-lap collisions as he matures.

Ferrari: 2017 power unit improvements should not be overlooked
Ferrari is confident it still has plenty of potential to develop its current power unit concept as it looks to gain an edge in outright power over main rivals Mercedes.

Perez questioned 'dirty' Kevin Magnussen block in drivers' briefing
Sergio Perez raised Kevin Magnussen's driving to FIA race director Charlie Whiting in Friday evening's drivers' briefing after what he perceived to be a block in FP2.

Renault: Questions remain following Kubica test
Robert Kubica's test with Renault following the Hungarian Grand Prix did not provide the team with all the answers it wanted over his readiness for next year.

Build up

The best of the reaction from Thursday's media sessions.

Raikkonen: New Ferrari deal doesn't guarantee better results
Kimi Raikkonen is confident he can still compete for victories and world championships in Formula One.

Alonso: Difficult to predict whether Honda will come good
Fernando Alonso has no doubt Honda is working flatout to resolve its issues, but says it is still too early to predict whether the Japanese manufacturer will produce a winning engine in time for the the start of next year.

Hamilton: Vettel doesn't want to be my teammate
Lewis Hamilton doubts title rival Sebastian Vettel would accept the challenge of racing alongside him at Mercedes in 2018.

Vettel: Nice to see Ferrari appreciates Kimi
Sebastian Vettel was happy to see Ferrari retain Kimi Raikkonen next year, even though he is not expecting any news on his own future for at least two weeks.

Honda brings updates to Spa, Vandoorne receives grid penalty
Honda is running updated power units on both McLaren cars at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

Under-pressure Palmer refreshed by Kilimanjaro climb
After scaling the world's second tallest mountain, Jolyon Palmer is ready to fight to save his Formula One career in the remaining races of 2017.

Steiner: No 'hugging session' needed for Magnussen, Hulkenberg
Haas boss Guenther Steiner believes Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg have moved on from their "fun" spat at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Preview

Who holds the advantage in the second half of the season?
ESPN previews the Belgian Grand Prix and looks at whether Ferrari or Mercedes will have the edge at the remaining races.

All the stats you need to know ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix
ESPN breaks down all the key stats you need to know ahead of practice, qualifying and race day.

Video

Five things to look forward to ahead of the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix
ESPN's Laurence Edmondson and Nate Saunders share their thoughts on what to look out for ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix and for the rest of the season.

Why can't Red Bull provide a contender's car?
With Max Verstappen hoping for a competitive car, Maurice Hamilton and Jennie Gow ask why Red Bull can't give him one.

What to expect at the Belgian Grand Prix
Jennie Gow and Maurice Hamilton pick their favourites for Spa as Formula 1 returns from the summer break

Maurice's Memories: Belgian Grand Prix
Maurice Hamilton looks back at the glory days of the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Is Raikkonen now a 'jobbing' F1 driver?
In agreeing a new deal at Ferrari, has Kimi Raikkonen signed up to another year of playing second fiddle to Sebastian Vettel?

Stats and facts

About the circuit: Belgium's Spa Francorchamps circuit is one of the oldest on the current F1 calendar, hosting its first race in 1922 and its first grand prix in 1925. The original circuit made up of narrow roads was 9.3miles long (14.9km) and was notoriously dangerous. It was a fast course and until 2000 it was possible to travel over the track as it was a public road. Its speed meant Spa had a poor safety record. At the 1960 grand prix Chris Bristow and Alan Stacey were killed within minutes of each other, and in 1966 Jackie Stewart crashed and found himself upside down in the cellar of a farmhouse with petrol pouring over him.

The old track hosted its final race in 1970, when it was deemed too dangerous for F1; a year earlier drivers had boycotted the race Spa was missing from the F1 calendar until 1983 when it returned with a drastically reduced circuit of almost 4.5miles. Despite the cuts in length the circuit still managed to retain its magic. The mix of long straights and fast corners, combined with a picturesque setting and notoriously changeable weather keeps it at the top of both drivers and spectators favourite circuits.

Part of the magic of Spa is that it is known and respected as one of the most challenging in the world, and to prove that fact only six drivers have managed to win the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa more than twice: Juan Manual Fangio and Damon Hill both have three wins to their name, Jim Clark and Kimi Raikkonen managed one better with four wins and Ayrton Senna won the race five times. The undisputed Spa master though, is Michael Schumacher who has won a record six times.

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Most wins

6 - Michael Schumacher (1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002)

5 - Ayrton Senna (1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991)

4 - Jim Clark (1962, 1963, 1964, 1965)

4 - Kimi Raikkonen (2004, 2005, 2007, 2009)

3 - Lewis Hamilton (2010, 2015, 2017)

3 - Juan Manuel Fangio (1950, 1954, 1955)

3 - Damon Hill (1993, 1994, 1998)

2 - Alberto Ascari (1952, 1953)

2 - Emerson Fittipaldi (1972, 1974)

2 - Niki Lauda (1975, 1976)

2 - Alain Prost (1983, 1987)

2 - Sebastian Vettel (2011, 2013)