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
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
Today's starting grid
1 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1min 41.252secs
2 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:41.763
3 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:41.778
4 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:42.061
5 Alexander Albon (Tha) Red Bull 1:42.264
6 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Renault 1:42.396
7 Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:42.438 - WILL NOT START
8 Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:42.532
9 Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:42.603
10 Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:42.657
11 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:42.730
12 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:42.745
13 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:42.996
14 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:43.261
15 George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:43.468
16 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:43.743
17 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:43.838
18 Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:43.950
19 Nicholas Latifi (Can) Williams 1:44.138
20 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:44.314
With 12 minutes to go until lights out, you have just enough time to watch Sky Sports' moving tribute to Anthoine Hubert, which goes a long way to revealing the type of racer - and man - that he was. it's fair to say that the sport has honoured his memory beautifully this weekend.
The 20 drivers gather at the front of the grid, with the same seven standing and 13 kneeling after F1's anti-racism video plays - with Sainz returning for the gesture.
They then gather around the large banner of Anthoine Hubert that has been laid out in front of the finish line, with F1 taking a minute to remember the late F2 driver as his mother, brother and sister join them.
Both Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly were very close with Hubert after growing up with him since karting, and they will have to find a way to use that emotion this afternoon in the same way that Leclerc did last year to take his maiden win at Spa. After all, it's what Hubert would want, having been described by those close to him as a determined and focussed driver who was adamant he would make it to the top.
They're joined by Juan Manuel Correa, the American driver who has had to undergo numerous operations on his legs after that horrific accident.
That's not the only drama on the grid.
Hamilton has reported that water is trickling down his back as he made his way to first place, while George Russell has experienced an off-track excursion. For Hamilton, that should be as simple as a loose water bottle pipe, while Russell has made it to the grid unscathed.
BREAKING
Carlos Sainz is out of the race!
The McLaren was smoking on its way to the grid, and after bringing it back to the pits for inspection, an exhaust failure has been diagnosed and the repair time is too much to get him back out in time to start the race.
It leaves Lando Norris as the sole McLaren in the race, who moves up to ninth courtesy of Sainz's retirement.
This is the first time that Formula One - and more importantly Formula Two - has returned to Spa since last year's haunting accident that claimed the life of French F2 driver Anthoine Hubert.
A frightening accident on the exit of Eau Rouge and into Raidillon saw Juan Manuel Correa left with nowhere to go as Hubert came back across the track, with a huge collision leaving Hubert with fatal injuries.
A number of tributes have taken place to remember Hubert this weekend, with Correa returning for the first time since the accident, and a minute's silence will be held before the race today to pay tribute to him from the F1 paddock.
It reminds us of the often forgotten truth that in Formula One, there is a fine line between excitement and tragedy.
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