Lewis Hamilton secured victory at the F1 Belgian Grand Prix after his Mercedes teammate George Russell was disqualified for driving an underweight car. Russell, who had initially crossed the finish line first, was found to have his car weigh below the established limits. As a result, Hamilton was granted the win, marking his 105th career victory in Formula 1.
Russell expressed his disappointment at the disqualification, despite the strong performance he displayed during the race. His one-stop strategy was commended as a masterclass in tire management, allowing him to fend off Hamilton for a significant portion of the race. However, the disqualification overshadowed his achievement and handed the victory to Hamilton.
The race also saw McLaren’s Oscar Piastri claim second place, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounding out the podium. Max Verstappen, the current points leader, finished in fourth after starting from 11th place due to a grid penalty. Lando Norris, Verstappen’s main rival in the championship, placed fifth, enabling Verstappen to extend his lead.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the mistake that led to Russell’s disqualification and emphasized the need to learn from it. Despite the setback, Mercedes has shown a resurgence in recent races, claiming three out of the last four victories. The intense competition among Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari has resulted in close finishes, with the top six drivers crossing the line within 10 seconds.
Verstappen, who had a strong start to the season, has now gone four races without a win. The competitive nature of this season’s races, combined with the challenging track conditions at Spa-Francorchamps, has made for an exciting and unpredictable championship battle. With the season entering a summer break, fans are eagerly anticipating the Dutch Grand Prix in late August.
The Belgian Grand Prix showcased the unpredictable nature of Formula 1, with unexpected outcomes and intense competition among the top teams. As the championship race heats up, drivers and teams will need to stay focused and make strategic decisions to secure valuable points in the remaining races of the season.