Lewis Hamilton wins after George Russell DQ’d from Belgian Grand Prix

Mercedes’ George Russell had soaked up a masterful Belgian Grand Prix victory, but it was ripped away hours after he crossed the line.

2 min read

July 29, 2024 - 8:38AM

Sorry George, no win for you. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

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George Russell has gone from ecstasy to agony after he was disqualified from the Belgian Grand Prix on Monday (AEST).

The Mercedes star crossed the line first ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton and soaked up the victory as he stood atop the podium.

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But hours after the race had been run, Russell’s victory was ripped out of his hands by the FIA.

A technical report released after the race said Russell’s car was found to be 1.5kg below the minimum weight limit for car and driver combined.

The result meant Lewis Hamilton was deemed to be the winner of the race and Mercedes’ 1-2 finish was gone.

It is the second win of the season for the seven-time world champion following his success at Silverstone earlier this month and the 105th of his Formula One career.

It was also the third Mercedes victory in the last four races following a poor run of results in the last two years although they initially thought they had wrapped up a compelling one-two.

“Car 63 is disqualified from the race classification,” the stewards announced in a statement.

“All other drivers move up in the classification,” they added.

George got to celebrate the win before the heartbreak hit. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

Russell’s car was initially weighed at 798kg, which is exactly on the minimum weight limit for car and driver combined.

But stewards found the car had not been fully drained of fuel. “The car was weighed again on the FIA inside and outside scales and the weight was 796.5kg,” the statement said.

“The calibration of the outside and inside scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor.”

The 26-year-old Briton started in sixth place on the grid before edging Hamilton in second and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri who came third.

Russell drove the 44-laps race with only one pit stop which led to him going 34 laps on his second set of tyres, a strategic decision taken during the contest enabling him to take the lead and an unexpected third career victory.

“Heartbreaking,” Russell said on social media.

“We came in 1.5kg underweight and have been disqualified from the race.

“We left it all on the track today and I take pride in crossing the line first.

“There will be more to come.”

It was heartbreak for George. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was elevated to second with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc moving up from fourth to third.

Sergio Perez, who started second, slipped well back to eighth during the race while Daniel Ricciardo was 11th, but promoted to the points after Russell’s disqualification.