The Apex Review: Russell's Heartbreaking Disqualification After an Epic Battle at the Belgium Grand Prix
Author: Jasmin McCay
The 2024 Belgium Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps was an absolute thriller. George Russell initially pulled off a stunning win after a nail-biting battle with his Mercedes teammate. Russell decided to switch out to just a 1 stop strategy part way through the race V’s Lewis Hamiltons 2 stopper which then saw the Mercedes drivers racing each other for first place. With Oscar Piastri catching Lewis, they made sure that they kept everyone on the edge of their seats right until the finish line!
But just when it seemed like Russell had secured the victory, the FIA dropped a bombshell. His car was found to be 1.5kg underweight, leading to his disqualification. This shockingly handed the win to Hamilton and completely shook up the final standings.
Podium Shake-Up
With Russell's disqualification, Oscar Piastri of McLaren moved up to second place, and Charles Leclerc from Ferrari grabbed the third spot. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris rounded out the top five. This race also marked the fifth time F1 has returned to Spa since the tragic passing of Anthoine Hubert in 2019
Norris and Perez's Strategic Plays
Lando Norris, who's hot on Max Verstappen's heels in the championship standings, pushed hard to secure those valuable points, finishing in fifth. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez went all out in the final laps to snatch the fastest lap, earning an extra point for his efforts
Historic Finish for Mercedes
This race was significant for Mercedes as it marked their first 1-2 finish in two years, a testament to the team's commitment & strategy on getting their care back up there.
The Aftermath
The disqualification was a massive blow for Russell, especially after such a stellar performance. It highlights just how crucial every tiny detail is in Formula 1. Hamilton's unexpected win adds another notch to his already impressive record, while Russell's mishap is a stark reminder of the sport's tough regulations!
