Vettel wins after tyre blister controversy

Sebastian Vettel returned to the top step of the podium and extended his championship lead on Sunday by winning the Belgian grand prix.

But the German was sporting an angry face before the Spa-Francorchamps race, after rival teams refused to allow the Red Bulls to change their qualifying tyres due to blistering.

Pirelli had reacted to the situation by rushing spare tyres to the fabled circuit, but ultimately the likes of McLaren and Ferrari - and FIA chief Charlie Whiting - made Vettel and the sister RB7 start on their damaged tyres.

"We had a lot of concerns," Vettel said after extending his points lead to 92 points over his teammate Mark Webber. "We didn’t feel too comfortable and we both had to stop pretty early."

The Red Bulls finished one-two ahead of McLaren’s Jenson Button.

"No wonder Ferrari and Mclaren objected to them wanting to change them (the tyres) before the race," said BBC commentator Martin Brundle.