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Alan Baldwin
Sun, Sep 16, 2007
Reuters
Raikkonen leads Ferrari one-two in Belgium

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Kimi
Raikkonen won the Belgian Grand Prix for the third time in a row
on Sunday, leading a Ferrari one-two to revive his title
challenge.

Brazilian Felipe Massa finished second, 4.6 seconds behind
the Finn, with McLaren's double world champion Fernando Alonso
third to cut team mate Lewis Hamilton's overall lead to two
points.

With three races remaining, 22-year-old British rookie
Hamilton has 97 points to Spaniard Alonso's 95. Raikkonen,
celebrating his 13th career win and fourth of the year, is on 84
with Massa taking his tally to 77.

If any proof were needed that the gloves were off between
the McLaren drivers, whose team were stripped of all their 2007
constructors' points and fined $100 million on Thursday for
their part in a spy controversy, Alonso forced Hamilton off the
track coming out of the first corner.

Ferrari mathematically clinched the Formula One
constructors' title, subject to any appeal from McLaren against
their penalty in the next week.

Ferrari, celebrating their third one-two of the year and in
the last five races, now have 161 points. Second-placed
BMW-Sauber are on 90 with 54 remaining to be won. McLaren would
have had 177.

The last race of the European season, and first in Belgium
since 2005, had a familiar winner with Raikkonen triumphant with
McLaren at the longest circuit on the calendar in the previous
two editions.

The Finn led from pole position on a sunny afternoon in the
Ardennes, with Massa slotting smoothly into second place and the
McLaren drivers producing the early fireworks as they scrapped
for third.

With Hamilton almost alongside, Alonso shut the door and
forced his team mate wide onto the runoff.

The Briton still came back but was unable to get his revenge
with the first four at the chequered flag reflecting the
starting order.

Germany's Nick Heidfeld was fifth for BMW Sauber with
compatriot Nico Rosberg sixth for Williams.

Australian Mark Webber collected two points for Red Bull
while Finland's Heikki Kovalainen wrapped up the scorers with
eighth place for Renault.

 

 
STORY INDEX
 
  Prodrive chief Richards survives helicopter crash
   
 
  Raikkonen gave evidence against McLaren in spy case
   
 
  Hamilton learns hard lesson from Alonso
   
 
  I'm still in the title race says Raikkonen
   
 
  Gloves off for Alonso and Hamilton
   
 
  Coulthard shocked by McRae death
   
 
  Raikkonen leads Ferrari one-two in Belgium
   
 
  Rally driver Colin McRae dies in helicopter crash
   
 
  Fastlane: Kangoo gets funky
   
 
  Fastlane: Cayenne gets an upgrade
   
>> RELATED STORY
Raikkonen gave evidence against McLaren in spy case
Hamilton learns hard lesson from Alonso
I'm still in the title race says Raikkonen
Gloves off for Alonso and Hamilton
Coulthard shocked by McRae death

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