Belgian Grand Prix 2011 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Sebastian Vettel returned to winning ways with a commanding victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, leading home teammate Mark Webber for Red Bull's second one-two finish of the season at the magnificent Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The German driver's dominant performance after the summer break reestablished Red Bull's superiority and effectively ended any lingering championship suspense, demonstrating that the defeats at Silverstone and Hungary had been temporary setbacks rather than signs of weakness.

Starting from pole position with a lap of 1:48.298 around the 7-kilometer Spa circuit, Vettel controlled the race from start to finish with the authority of a champion. The Red Bull RB7 was perfectly suited to Spa's combination of high-speed corners and long straights, with the car's exceptional downforce giving Vettel a decisive advantage through the legendary Eau Rouge-Raidillon complex. He managed the race expertly, maintaining a comfortable gap to Webber throughout and never looking troubled. The race unfolded in dry conditions after wet practice sessions, allowing teams to showcase their maximum performance.

Webber delivered his strongest race of the season to secure second place, finally showing the consistency that had been missing earlier in the year. The Australian set the fastest lap and demonstrated that when both Red Bulls finished cleanly, they remained in a class of their own. Jenson Button claimed third place for McLaren, salvaging a podium finish after teammate Lewis Hamilton was forced to retire following contact with Kamui Kobayashi on the opening lap - an incident that left Hamilton furious and facing criticism for aggressive driving. The race featured several dramatic moments typical of Spa, including first-lap incidents and strategic battles. Vettel's eighth victory of the season extended his championship lead to over 100 points with seven races remaining, making his second title a mathematical formality barring catastrophe.