George Russell’s spectacular drive from sixth to first place at the Belgian GP was met with a harsh twist.
Despite crossing the finish line in the lead, Russell’s victory has been overturned.
His Mercedes fell short of the required post-race weight, resulting in the win being reassigned to his teammate, Lewis Hamilton.
This makes Hamilton the new Belgian GP victor, securing his second win of the season.
The drama unfolded after the race when Russell’s car was found to be 1.5 kilograms below the minimum weight required by FIA regulations. Jo Bauer, the FIA Formula One Technical Delegate, revealed that after the car was weighed post-race, 2.8 liters of fuel were removed.
Despite recalibrating and reweighing, the car still registered at 796.5 kg, falling short of the 798 kg minimum.
This discrepancy led to Russell’s disqualification and Hamilton being awarded the top spot.
Hamilton, who had initially started the race from third position, quickly made his mark by overtaking Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and then Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc on the third lap.
With Russell’s disqualification, Hamilton’s position was elevated to first, adding to his recent win at Silverstone.
Although Hamilton had his own challenges with tire strategy and pit stops, he managed to finish strong despite Russell’s strategic one-stop plan initially putting him in a favorable position.
Russell’s impressive performance, marked by a bold one-stop strategy, was initially celebrated.
He managed to stay ahead of Hamilton, crossing the line just half a second ahead.
Team principal Toto Wolff praised Russell’s tactical brilliance, calling him “the tire whisperer” over the radio. However, the excitement was short-lived due to the weight issue, turning what could have been a career-defining moment into a bitter disappointment.
Impact on the Championship
The outcome also affects the championship standings. With Russell’s disqualification, Hamilton’s elevation to first place means he gains valuable points.
Verstappen, who had started 11th due to a grid penalty, moves up to fifth place, ahead of Lando Norris.
Norris’s missed opportunity to close the gap to Verstappen adds another layer of complexity to the championship battle, especially after a poor start and strategic missteps.
McLaren’s Strategy Under Scrutiny
McLaren’s strategy faced criticism as Norris struggled with tire management and pit stops.
His poor start and subsequent undercut by Verstappen during the pit stops led to a disappointing race outcome.
As the teams head into the summer break, these developments could shift the dynamics in the championship race.
Despite the initial thrill, the weekend ended on a sour note for Russell and Mercedes.
What seemed like a triumphant return to form for the Silver Arrows was marred by regulatory issues, leaving fans and team members to reflect on what might have been.
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