Vettel was waiting on Hamilton mistake that never came

Spa, August 27: Sebastian Vettel conceded he could do little to prevent Lewis Hamilton winning the Belgian Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver saw his Formula One lead cut to seven points at Spa-Francorchamps as Mercedes' Hamilton - starting from a record-equalling 68th pole position - gave Vettel no chance of victory.

Despite a second-placed finish, Vettel was looking at the positives following a tough first race after the mid-season break.

"It was really intense," he said on the podium. "I was waiting for Lewis to make a mistake - he didn't. He was waiting for me to make a mistake, but I didn't.

"At the restart [after the safety car was deployed], I was fearing I was not close enough, but I was too close.

"Compared to Silverstone, though, we've taken good steps forward and we can now look forward to next week, our home race."

Source: OPTA