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Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain sprays champagne as he stands on the podium after the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013. Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany finished first, Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain placed second and Mercedes AMG driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain third. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Vettel overtakes Lewis Hamilton on lap 1 to win Belgian GP and extend his championship lead

SPA, Belgium – Sebastian Vettel overtook Lewis Hamilton on the first lap and comfortably held his lead to win the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday and extend his overall championship lead.

It was Vettel’s fifth win of the season, second from three GPs, and 31st of his outstanding career.

Fernando Alonso drove brilliantly from ninth on the grid to take second place ahead of Hamilton and move back into second overall in the title race.

Any speculation that Hamilton could emerge as the biggest threat to Vettel’s bid for a fourth straight title was put to rest in the first minute, when Vettel made a slick passing move inside Hamilton’s left. The German was never troubled after that.

Vettel started from second on the grid after Hamilton secured his fourth straight pole position.

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