Not only did Lewis Hamilton claim his 68th career pole position – equaling Michael Schumacher’s all-time record – but also topping it off with his 58th career victory today – his third at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and fifth of the 2017 season – this was the 200th race of his career.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel came second, with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo in third. Hamilton (213 points) has closed the gap on Sebastian Vettel (220 points) to seven points in the Drivers’ Championship, with Valtteri Bottas (179 points) in P3.

That must be a huge relief for Mercedes. No doubt a job well done by Hamilton, but perhaps unexpectedly he’s facing a rival in Vettel who arguably looked tougher on Sunday night than at any point so far this season.