Mercedes Wins Belgian Grand Prix With 1-2 Finish, But Russell Gets Disqualified

Race to Remember: Belgian GP Drama Unfolds

Mercedes-AMG's Lewis Hamilton secured a contentious win at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix after his teammate George Russell was disqualified for an underweight car. This surprising turn of events saw Hamilton claim his 105th career victory, further cementing his legacy in Formula 1. The race, held at Spa-Francorchamps, featured numerous strategic maneuvers and intense battles among the top drivers, making it a memorable event in the 2024 season.

Russell's Disqualification: The Turning Point

George Russell, who pulled off the win out of almost nothing with a combination of a genius race strategy and flawless tire management, celebrated what would have been his third career victory. However, a post-race weigh-in revealed his car was 1.5 kilograms under the minimum weight requirement. Mercedes attributed this to a "genuine error," but the disqualification meant Russell’s efforts, including his impressive one-stop strategy, were in vain. "It is heartbreaking to be disqualified from today’s race," Russell lamented, despite being proud of his performance.

Hamilton's Resurgence Continues

Hamilton's promotion to first place marked his second victory in three races, following his win at Silverstone earlier this month. This victory was particularly significant as it came amidst Hamilton's announcement that he would be joining Ferrari next season, ending a 12-year stint with Mercedes. "I feel for George, and you don’t want to win a race through a disqualification," Hamilton noted, expressing empathy for his teammate while acknowledging the competitive nature of recent races.

Piastri and Leclerc Complete the Podium

McLaren's Oscar Piastri finished in second place, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third. Leclerc, who started the race from pole position, managed to hold his ground despite early challenges. Piastri's performance was notable as he kept pace with the leaders throughout the race, showcasing McLaren's growing competitiveness this season. The podium finish for Leclerc was a testament to Ferrari's strategic execution, even though they couldn't secure the top spot.

Verstappen's Struggle and Championship Standings

Reigning champion Max Verstappen faced difficulties, starting 11th on the grid due to a power unit penalty. Despite a strong effort, he could only manage a fourth-place finish, extending his winless streak to four races. "All in all, it was quite a positive day for me, considering we started at P11," Verstappen reflected. Nevertheless, Verstappen maintains a commanding lead in the Drivers' Championship with 277 points, ahead of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.

Teams Prepare for the Summer Break

Following the Belgian Grand Prix, teams now enter a summer break before the Dutch Grand Prix on August 25. The season so far has seen seven different winners across 14 races, making it the most competitive since 2012. With Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari all demonstrating similar pace, the remainder of the season promises more thrilling races. As teams regroup and strategize, fans eagerly await the next chapter in this exciting Formula 1 season.

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