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In a dramatic twist at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was awarded the victory after George Russell was disqualified post-race. Initially celebrated for his strategic brilliance, Russell's triumph was short-lived when it was discovered that his car was 1.5 kg underweight.
Russell's innovative one-stop strategy saw him hold off Hamilton in the final laps, a feat made more impressive given Hamilton's fresher tyres. However, after the race, the stewards found Russell's car weighed only 796.5 kg, below the minimum weight limit of 798 kg when measured with a full tank of fuel. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the mistake, expressing regret over the disqualification and emphasizing the need for the team to learn from the error. "We have to take our disqualification on the chin," Wolff stated. "To lose a one-two finish is frustrating, and we can only apologise to George who drove such a strong race."
Hamilton's path to victory began on the second lap, when he overtook Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Despite a strong challenge from Russell, who initially seemed to secure the win from sixth on the grid, Hamilton's consistent pace and strategic advantage ultimately placed him in the lead after Russell's disqualification. Oscar Piastri, who had also shown remarkable pace, was promoted to second place, while Leclerc and Max Verstappen completed the top four.
Russell's disqualification not only handed Hamilton his second victory of the season but also highlighted Mercedes' strategic prowess and the unpredictability of Formula 1 racing. Before the disqualification, Russell's win appeared to be the result of a flawless execution of his one-stop strategy, which saw him fend off Hamilton despite the latter's superior pace. Russell's performance, often described as a gamble that paid off, was cut short by the post-race technical infringement.
The disqualification also had significant implications for other drivers and teams. McLaren's Piastri and Lando Norris managed to capitalize on the situation, moving up the ranks, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc defended his position robustly to finish third. Red Bull's Sergio Perez, who had initially started from second on the grid, ended up in the back of the top four, intensifying speculation about his future with the team.
As the season progresses, teams will undoubtedly scrutinize every detail to avoid similar pitfalls. The Belgian Grand Prix thus stands as a testament to the fine margins that separate victory from disqualification in the high-stakes world of Formula 1 racing.
