The Formula 1 world was left stunned when race winner George Russell was controversially disqualified at the Belgian Grand Prix, awarding the race victory to Lewis Hamilton and promoting Australian rising star Oscar Piastri to second place on the podium. The outcome will have a significant impact on the 2024 F1 World Championship chase, giving McLaren an additional point over Red Bull.
Mercedes’ 1-2 finish in Belgium had significantly reduced the gap to Ferrari, but the team is now way back in fourth place.
The action took place at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which is famous for its tough high-speed turns and variable weather conditions. The 2024 Belgian Grand Prix was not a classic in terms of the number of overtakes completed, but it was unquestionably the most entertaining battle for dominance between Formula 1’s new ‘big four’ so far in 2024.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes initially dominated qualifying, locking out the front row. As the lights went out, Hamilton made a superb start, leading into the first bend, with Russell close behind in second place.
As the race progressed, it appeared that Mercedes was on track for a one-two finish, with both drivers retaining their positions without major mishaps. However, the excitement was not over.
As Russell crossed the finish line, likely claiming his first victory of the season, race officials began investigating a potential fuel abnormality in the Mercedes cars. Tension grew in the circuit as fans and commentators waited for the official decision.
When the verdict was ultimately released, it stunned the Formula One racing fraternity. Both Mercedes vehicles were disqualified, with Russell’s victory taken away due to a technical infraction involving fuel flow.
The disqualification elevated Mercedes Teammate Lewis Hamilton, who had finished second, to the top step of the podium, with Oscar Piastri moving up to second place. The decision was a devastating blow for Russell, who had driven a flawless race, and for the entire Mercedes team.
The disqualification has significant implications for the Formula 1 World Championship. Verstappen’s victory further extends his lead at the top of the standings, while Piastri’s unexpected podium finish gives him a much-needed boost in the drivers’ championship battle.
Mercedes is expected to appeal the decision, and the outcome of this appeal could have a major impact on the championship fight. The next few weeks will be critical as the FIA continues its investigation into the matter.
The Belgian Grand Prix will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most dramatic races in recent history. While it was a day of celebration for Hamilton and his Mercedes team, it was a heartbreaking experience for Russell who was denied his first race victory of the season.
After all the drama of this race has settled, one thing is certain: Formula 1 will always provide exciting action with surprising turns and twists.
Mercedes’ Explanation for Russell’s Disqualification
Mercedes has clarified that George Russell’s disqualification from the Belgian Grand Prix was due to higher-than-expected car wear and the British driver’s own weight loss during the race. Drivers can usually lose between 1-3 kg throughout a race.
Russell appeared to have clinched a remarkable victory after holding off his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in the final stages of the race at Spa. However, his bold one-stop strategy, which saw him make a single set of tyres last for 34 laps, ultimately led to his downfall. The car came in 1.5kg under the 798 kg minimum weight limit after the race, resulting in disqualification and promoting Hamilton to race winner.
Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, explained that higher-than-anticipated tyre wear, plank wear, and Russell’s weight loss during the race contributed to the car being too light when weighed post-race.
Russell’s one-stop strategy meant he used a single set of tyres for a significant portion of the race, unlike others who made an additional pit stop. The physical wear on the tyres over such a long stint can affect the car’s overall weight, although teams usually account for this in their pre-race calculations.
A unique factor at the Belgian Grand Prix is the length of the Spa-Francorchamps lap, which means drivers do not complete a cool-down lap after the chequered flag. Instead, they turn into the pit lane exit immediately after Turn 1. The absence of a cool-down lap prevents drivers from picking up discarded rubber on their tyres, a standard procedure after a race to help replace any lost weight.
In the end, it was a combination of these factors that led to Russell’s disqualification, transforming what appeared to be a glorious victory into a moment of bitter disappointment for the Mercedes driver.
Keep up to date with all the latest Formula 1 news and supercar news throughout the 2024 racing season.
