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 Workforce 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 saved 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 to be like bleak.
Whereas a lot of the discipline opted for a two-stop technique, Russell took a chance with a single pit cease on lap ten. It was a daring name, and he was nursing these laborious tyres to the dying 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 in the end prevailing by half a second to assert his third Method 1 victory.
There was an excellent battle all through the race from Hamilton down with Leclerc battling towards 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 laborious 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 automotive had initially been discovered to have been compliant with the minimal weight requirement of 798kg, 2.8 litres of gas had been then faraway from the W15.
The unique report mentioned: “The automotive 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 automotive was weighed once more on the FIA inside and outdoors 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 under the minimal weight requested in TR Article 4.1, which additionally needs to be revered always throughout 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 right and that each 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 Method 1 Technical Laws has been breached and due to this fact the usual penalty for such an infringement must be utilized.”
The place Did Everybody End After the Penalty?
Hamilton was second on the street, that 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 number 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 Workforce, with Ocon securing BWT Alpine F1 Workforce two factors with a ninth place end. Ricciardo acquired rewarded for a fantastic drive because of the Russell disqualification, shifting 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 Workforce 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 Workforce to seven factors.
Race Outcomes + Championship Standing Tables
Constructors Championship:
Drivers Championship:
