Rosberg wins eventful Belgian GP, closes gap on Hamilton

Rosberg wins eventful Belgian GP, closes gap on Hamilton

Published Aug. 28, 2016 12:34 p.m. ET

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) Nico Rosberg won an incident-packed Belgian Grand Prix featuring a chaotic start, wild overtaking, a heavy crash, safety cars and a red flag.

The Mercedes driver's win on Sunday saw him close the gap on teammate Lewis Hamilton, who finished third behind Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.

Rosberg started from pole position with teen driver Max Verstappen on the front row.

Hamilton started from the back row with Fernando Alonso, after both incurred multiple grid penalties for extra engine part changes this weekend.

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Verstappen was involved in a first-turn collision with both Ferraris that shaped the race.

It had a beneficial effect on Hamilton and Alonso, who avoided the early carnage in front of them, then gained places when the safety car came out after Danish driver Kevin Magnussen's crash.

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