Russell Wins Belgian Grand Prix Before Being Handed Disqualification

George Russell pulled of a powerful race on the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix to earn his third race victory however after the race the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Group driver was disqualified as a result of his W15 being underweight.

Race Recap – The Motion Earlier than The Penalty

Charles Leclerc began on pole place and stored the lead off the road from pole. Sergio Pérez began on the entrance row however misplaced out to Lewis Hamilton on the beginning and fell additional again all through the race, ending the day in eighth as his Oracle Purple Bull Racing future appears bleak.

Whereas a lot of the subject opted for a two-stop technique, Russell took of venture with a single pit cease on lap ten. It was a daring name, and he was nursing these onerous tyres to the loss of life because the race reached its climax. Hamilton was throughout his teammate within the closing phases, however Russell held on and put in a defensive masterclass. It was a heart-stopping end, with the Brit finally prevailing by half a second to say his third System 1 victory.

There was an excellent battle all through the race from Hamilton down with Leclerc battling in opposition to the likes of Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Russell in several phases of the race. Fernando Alonso additionally opted for a one cease, and was in a position to keep within the factors whereas Esteban Ocon managed to overhaul Daniel Ricciardo in the previous couple of laps to take the ultimate factors place.

The Penalty Drama

Russell’s victory was glorious – an expertly pushed Grand Prix. The Brit managed his onerous tyres from lap 11 till the tip for his third race win forward of Hamilton, who seemingly had the victory secured at one level within the day.

Nonetheless, after the race a Technical Delegate’s Report launched which mentioned that whereas the automobile had initially been discovered to have been compliant with the minimal weight requirement of 798kg, 2.8 litres of gasoline had been then faraway from the W15.

The unique report mentioned: “The automobile was not absolutely drained in accordance with the draining process submitted by the staff of their legality paperwork as TR Article 6.5.2 is fulfilled. The automobile was weighed once more on the FIA inside and out of doors scales and the burden was 796.5 kg. The calibration of the inside and outside scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. As that is 1.5 kg beneath the minimal weight requested in TR Article 4.1, which additionally needs to be revered always in the course of the competitors, I’m referring this matter to the stewards for his or her consideration.”

After a go to to the stewards, Russell was disqualified, as anticipated. The FIA launched one other doc about their reasoning to take action. It mentioned: “Throughout the listening to the staff consultant confirmed that the measurement is appropriate and that every one required procedures had been carried out accurately. The staff additionally acknowledged that there have been no mitigating circumstances and that it was a real error by the staff. The stewards decide that Article 4.1 of the FIA System 1 Technical Rules has been breached and subsequently the usual penalty for such an infringement must be utilized.”

The place Did Everybody End After the Penalty?

Hamilton was second on the street, which means Mercedes nonetheless win the race. The seven time world champion wins his second Grand Prix of the 2024 season after returning to the highest step of the rostrum at Silverstone a couple of weeks again. Piastri strikes as much as second, whereas Leclerc will get onto the rostrum for Scuderia Ferrari.

Verstappen finishes fourth, forward of Championship rival, Norris in fifth. Carlos Sainz Jr. ends the day in sixth, whereas Pérez might solely muster up eighth after beginning on the entrance row. Alonso strikes as much as eighth for Aston Martin Armaco F1 Group, with Ocon securing BWT Alpine F1 Group two factors with a ninth place end. Ricciardo acquired rewarded for an ideal drive because of the Russell disqualification, transferring as much as tenth.

Lance Stroll completed eleventh, with Alex Albon in twelfth. Pierre Gasly, Kevin Magnussen, Valtteri Bottas, Yuki Tsunoda, Logan Sargeant and Nico Hulkenberg ending up exterior the factors. Guanyu Zhou retired within the early phases, whereas race winner Russell was disqualified.

Adjustments to the Championship

Verstappen will increase his lead within the Championship to 78 factors over Norris. Russell had overtaken Pérez for seventh however falls again behind the Mexican after his DSQ. In the meantime within the Constructors, McLaren F1 Group additional shut the hole on Purple Bull, with the hole now at 43 factors. Ricciardo’s level for Visa Money App RB will increase their benefit over MoneyGram Haas F1 Group to seven factors.

Race Outcomes + Championship Standing Tables

Constructors Championship:

Drivers Championship: