SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) -Felipe Massa was declared the winner of Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix after Lewis Hamilton was penalized for cutting a corner during a late duel with world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
Hamilton crossed the line 14.4 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Massa in a dramatic finish that saw Raikkonen crash into a barrier, but the McLaren driver was penalized 25 seconds for an illegal maneuver.
Race stewards said in a statement that Hamilton ``cut the chicane and gained an advantage'' that allowed him to take the lead from Raikkonen in the rain-splashed finale.
The penalty demoted Hamilton to third, with BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld promoted to second.
McLaren could not immediately appeal the results but decided to launch an official complaint with the sport's international court of appeal. It was unclear when it would be heard.
The decision came almost three hours after Hamilton had been spraying champagne on friends and rivals to celebrate perhaps his most dramatic victory and a widening gap in the overall standings.
Instead of an eight-point edge, Hamilton now leads Massa 76-74 with five races remaining, beginning with the Italian Grand Prix in Monza next Sunday.
It was Massa's second straight victory after his win two weeks ago in Valencia, though, apart from briefly leading during a pit stop, he was never really in contention.
The incident that cost Hamilton came after rain soaked the course during the last three of 44 laps with most cars on dry-weather tires after the final pit stop.
In a furious battle for first, Hamilton ran wide across the circuit's closing chicane and cut a corner. He said Raikkonen forced his hand.
``He pushed me wide. I had no room,'' Hamilton said. ``This is motor racing.''
McLaren said in a statment that there was nothing illegal in Hamilton's move since he put himself behind Raikkonen's Ferrari afterward. ``Having passed the lead back to Kimi, Lewis repositioned his car .... and outbraked him into the hairpin.''
The stewards disagreed.
Raikkonen, who overtook the pole-sitting Hamilton early and led most of the way, has 57 points in the standings, likely turning the rest of the championship into a race between Hamilton and Massa. BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica is third with 58 points.
For most of the race it looked as if Raikkonen would win his fourth straight Belgian GP, but the rain came and gave Hamilton an edge over the Ferrari driver.
``I was praying: rain, rain, rain. I wanted the rain to come,'' said the 23-year-old Hamilton, who has established himself as the best driver of his generation in the rain.
Hamilton and Raikkonen almost crashed into each other, but after some spectacular maneuvers Hamilton gained the lead. The British driver soon lost it, however, when he had to veer off the track to avoid a slower car. But Hamilton got back in front when Raikkonen lost control. The Finn was then forced to take risks, resulting in a crash into the side railings.
``I saw these guys fighting like crazy,'' said Massa, who took the safe route and drove slowly over the last lap.
Hamilton started on the pole but only led for one lap before Raikkonen passed him on a long straight to take the lead on his favorite circuit.
At the halfway point, Raikkonen led Hamilton by 5.5 seconds.
Hamilton started closing in after the second pit stop, and with 15 laps left the Briton could see the red Ferrari less than two seconds in front of him. Massa was six seconds behind, setting up the thrilling finish.
