Lewis Hamilton, of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, has been penalised for cutting a chicane when battling with Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s Kimi Raikkonen, resulting in the British driver losing his Belgian GP victory.
The stewards bestowed Hamilton with a drive–through penalty but as this was applied at the end of the race 25 seconds has been added to his elapsed race time instead.
Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver Felipe Massa therefore takes the win having crossed the line in second place. BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld moves up to second place and the 25 second penalty drops Hamilton to a third place finish in the race.
Panasonic Toyota Racing’s Timo Glock was also awarded a 25 second penalty after the stewards determined that he had overtaken Red Bull Racing’s Mark Webber under yellow flags. The one point for eighth place is therefore awarded to the Australian.
This leaves the leader board with Hamilton still in front on 76 points, Massa second with 74 and BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica in third on 58 points. The constructors’ championship sees Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro leading with 131 points, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in second with 119 points and BMW Sauber third on 107 points.