Hakkinen wins Belgian GP.

Mika Hakkinen extended his world championship lead to six points with a come from behind win over title rival Michael Schumacher at Spa-Francorchamps.

The Finn led initially, as the race was started under the Safety Car, and built up an early lead when the field was released. However, a spin at Stavelot on lap five gifted Schumacher the advantage, and it quickly looked as though the German would turn in another weather-affected win.

The majority of the field stopped within ten laps to switch to slicks as the damp track dried and, as the order shook itself out, Schumacher continued to lead. Only after the second round of stops did Hakkinen begin to make inroads into the German's advantage, and had closed to within touching distance of the Ferrari with just ten laps to run.

Right with Schumacher as they raced along the Kemmel straight, the pair encountered Ricardo Zonta's BAR and, with the Ferrari jinking left, into the wider gap, Hakkinen opted to go for the narrow strip or tarmac between the Brazilian and the verge, beating Schumacher into Les Combes as a result.

From there the outcome was never in doubt, and the Finn eased away to win by a couple of seconds. Schumacher gamely hung on for second, with brother Ralf joining him on the podium after a lonely run in third.

David Coulthard took a frustrated fourth having lost out big time at the first round of tyre stops, with Jenson Button and Heinz-Harald Frentzen completing the point scorers.

A full report and results will follow shortly...

Leading finishers - Belgian GP.

1. Mika Hakkinen McLaren
2. Michael Schumacher Ferrari
3. Ralf Schumacher Williams
4. David Coulthard McLaren
5. Jenson Button Williams
6. Heinz-Harald Frentzen Jordan