Lewis Hamilton claimed victory at the Belgian Grand Prix after his Mercedes teammate George Russell was disqualified post-race for an underweight car. Initially, Russell had crossed the finish line first after a thrilling chase, but the disqualification handed Hamilton the win.
The race saw a strategic battle between the Mercedes drivers. Hamilton, who opted for a two-stop strategy, relentlessly pursued Russell, who attempted to hold on to his lead with a single pit stop made on Lap 10 of 44. Despite Hamilton’s intense pressure in the final laps, Russell crossed the line just half a second ahead.
However, a Technical Delegate’s Report revealed that Russell’s car was underweight, leading to his disqualification. Mercedes admitted a “genuine error” in the car’s weight management. This incident awarded Hamilton his fifth victory at Spa-Francorchamps.
Charles Leclerc, who started from pole position, initially led the race but was overtaken by Hamilton within two laps. The Monegasque eventually finished in what would be adjusted to third place, behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who secured second after a strong performance.
Max Verstappen, starting from P11, made a significant recovery to finish fourth, ahead of Lando Norris in fifth. Carlos Sainz completed the top six, maintaining Ferrari’s competitive presence in the race.
The reshuffled results not only highlight Hamilton’s enduring prowess but also emphasise the meticulous technical regulations that can dramatically alter race outcomes.
