Rosberg wins Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton still holds lead in Formula One title race

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg (center) celebrates on the podium with Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo (left) and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (right) after winning the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg (center) celebrates on the podium with Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo (left) and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (right) after winning the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) - Although Nico Rosberg trimmed rival Lewis Hamilton's lead in the Formula One title race after winning the Belgian Grand Prix, it was Hamilton who seemed the happier driver Sunday after turning a back-row start into a third-place finish.

Starting from pole position, Rosberg avoided trouble in an incident-packed race featuring a chaotic first turn, wild overtaking, a heavy crash, safety cars, a red flag and heated language between Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen.

Rosberg moved to within nine points of his Mercedes teammate, but Hamilton got a victory of sorts after picking his way through the field for a 97th podium finish.

"I really cannot believe that we came up so far," said Hamilton, praising his team. "Today was about having the right approach, not too aggressive."

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo finished second. Rosberg's win was his 20th but first at Spa.

"It's not disappointing, I'm happy with today," a tight-lipped Rosberg said when asked about not closing the gap further. "Fair play to Lewis."

Rosberg had teen driver Verstappen next to him on the front row, while Hamilton was joined at the back of the class by Fernando Alonso. That was because both drivers incurred a myriad of complex grid penalties for extra engine part changes this weekend.

It was Verstappen's first-turn incident with the Ferraris of Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel that shaped a dramatic race.

It helped Hamilton and Alonso, who avoided the early carnage up front, then gained places when the safety car came out after Danish driver Kevin Magnussen's crash. Magnussen walked away from the wreck with nothing worse than a cut to his left ankle.

Rosberg got away cleanly, but it was intense behind him.