Hamilton DQ’d at Belgian Grand Prix

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, CMC – Britain’s Lewis Hamilton was disqualified after using his McLaren to win the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Hamilton had overcome a stiff challenge from reigning World Champion Kimi Raikkonen, of Finland, to record his fifth win of the season but was later demoted to third.

He was accused of gaining an advantage by cutting the Spa circuit's Bus Stop chicane in his tremendous late-race battle with Raikkonen.

Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa, who was originally second, was given the victory and BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld is now second.

Hamilton, who has Grenadian ancestry, was handed a 25-second penalty after the race.

The decision means that rather than extending his championship lead over Massa, Hamilton now sees it cut.

He now has 76 points in the championship race, two ahead of Massa (74) with five races remaining in the season.

In a fierce duel with longtime race-leader Raikkonen over the closing laps, Hamilton had prevailed with a skilful performance.

Raikkonen held the advantage until Hamilton collared him on the penultimate lap and a memorable battle ensued in rainy weather.

Hamilton passed Raikkonen, lost the lead again with a spin, re-took it and then saw Raikkonen crash into a wall as he sped to embrace the waves of the chequered flag.

Raikkonen’s crash relegated him to fourth in the championship race -- 19 points adrift of Hamilton and dented his title hopes.

Hamilton is Formula One’s first black driver.

He finished second in the drivers’ championship last year in his rookie season and was among the awardees at the 2008 Laureus World Sports Award in Russia. He won the prestigious  Laureus Breakthrough-of-the-Year Award after his remarkable F1 debut season.

Hamilton was also one of 12 persons receiving a national award during Grenada’s 34th anniversary celebrations in February this year.

He was given the Camerhogne award, a special category for non-citizens who have exposed Grenada internationally.