SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (REUTERS) - Lewis Hamilton celebrated his 200th Formula One race on Sunday with a pole-to-flag Belgian Grand Prix victory for Mercedes that halved Sebastian Vettel's championship lead to seven points.

The Briton's fifth success in 12 races came a day after he equalled Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 68 pole positions.

Vettel finished second for Ferrari, 2.3 seconds behind, after making a strong start and tailing the three-time world champion all afternoon without being able to get close enough to make a move stick.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo took third place for Red Bull after a storming restart following a late safety car period that had closed the gap to the front runners.

With eight races remaining, four-time champion Vettel has 220 points with Hamilton on 213.