George Russell was disqualified from Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix just hours after claiming a thrilling victory on track.
The 26-year-old opted for a bold race strategy, pitting only once for tyres, and it seemed to have paid off in brilliant fashion as he fended off a late challenge from Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to claim what he thought was his third win in Formula One.
However, in an initial post-race check, Russell’s Mercedes car was found to be 1.5 kg under the weight permitted in the regulations, following the obligatory drainage of fuel.
The matter was referred to the FIA stewards, who an hour later confirmed that Russell had been disqualified from the race classification. The driver himself, it has been reported, found out about the disqualification whilst on his way home to Monaco.
Follow live updates from the Belgian Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- BREAKING: George Russell disqualified from the Belgian Grand Prix
- Russell held off challenge from Lewis Hamilton but has been stripped of his win post-race
- Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reacts: ‘We have to take it on the chin'
- Lewis Hamilton hints at Mercedes error after initially missing out on win
- OVERTAKE! Lewis Hamilton takes first from Charles Leclerc (Lap 3/44)
- Max Verstappen quickest in qualifying but started P11 due to penalty
- PREVIEW: Lando Norris must start converting potential into race wins
FULL STORY: George Russell disqualified after winning Belgian Grand Prix
18:26
Kieran Jackson
George Russell has been disqualified from Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix in a shock turn of events after his sensational victory - with Lewis Hamilton consequently claiming the win.
In an initial post-race check, Russell’s Mercedes car was found to be 1.5 kg under the weight permitted in the regulations following the obligatory drainage of fuel.
The matter was referred to the FIA stewards, who confirmed that Russell has been disqualified from the race classification.
Russell’s disqualification means team-mate Hamilton, who finished second, claims his 105th F1 win.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reacts after George Russell stripped of Belgian GP win
18:40
Kieran Jackson
“We have to take it on the chin,” Mercedes team principal Wolff said. “A mistake has happened and a one-two would have been a great result going into the summer break.
“We have to learn from that. As a team there were positives but for George it is a massive blow for it to be taken away. He is going to win more.”
BREAKING: George Russell has been disqualified
17:55
Kieran Jackson
Confirmation that Russell has been stripped of his victory.
FIA: “During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly.
“The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.”
Lewis Hamilton takes the win.
FULL STORY: George Russell set to be disqualified after winning Belgian Grand Prix
17:45
Kieran Jackson
FIA STATEMENT:
17:28
Kieran Jackson
A statement from FIA Technical Delegate Jo Bauer:
“After the race, car number 63 was weighed and its weight was 798.0 kg, which is the minimum weight required by TR Article 4.1
“After this, fuel was drained out of the car and 2.8 litres of fuel were removed. The car was not fully drained according to the draining procedure submitted by the team in their legality documents as TR Article 6.5.2 is fulfilled.
“The car was weighed again on the FIA inside and outside scales and the weight was 796.5 kg. The calibration of the outside and inside scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor.
“As this is 1.5 kg below the minimum weight requested in TR Article 4.1, which also has to be respected at all times during the competition, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”
Sergio Perez on finishing eighth:
17:19
Kieran Jackson
“We lost a position to Lewis, first stint was going well. We were running third. Going onto the medium, pititng into trafffic, we were really slow on the straight line. We were too aggressive on that tyre on that stint, I ended up doing a massively stint on the hard, generally speaking we were weak on the tyres.
“I think Max was a bit faster, I was compromised on strategy quite a lot. Both cars were not able to match the Mercedes today.
On summer break: “To really focus together with the team to understand what we’re doing with the car on the last few events. It’s a good race to understand what we’ve been doing with the tyres, that’s the main thing. That’s what we have to do as a team.”
BREAKING: George Russell win in jeopardy
17:12
Kieran Jackson
Russell could be disqualified from the race, with the Mercedes car found to be under weight by 1.5 kg in an initial post-race check.
The matter has been referred to the stewards.
Max Verstappen, after finishing fifth:
17:00
Kieran Jackson
“You get stuck in the DRS train, we didn’t have a lot more pace than anyone else. We did the best we could. Maybe if we had a hard tyre, I could have had one more position. Of course, if you start P1 where I qualified we could have won, but we took the penalty. A tricky race when you’re stuck.
“They’re ahead of us. Sometimes McLaren, sometimes Mercedes. Being in P11, didn’t have enough time to pass Ferrari. Everyone is doing a great job.”
Verstappen has finished fifth in three of the last four races...
Lewis Hamilton, after finishing second:
16:54
Kieran Jackson
“Firstly congrats to the team and George, a huge buzz for everyone back at the factory. Amazing work on Friday night, to get a one-two into the summer break is pretty spectacular. Felt great to get in the lead, bit of a shock at the end, we’ll keep that in-house and move forward. Go in with our heads high.
On Mercedes fighting for one-two: “It’s a positive. George wasn’t really in my race for most of it, it’s great at the end we do have cars at the end.
On being pitted twice compared to once for Russell: “Yeah, it is what it is. It’s done, I’m moving into my break.”
Lando Norris, after finishing sixth:
16:36
Kieran Jackson
“Strategy was good. It seemed whoever undercut the most won the race. I came off at turn 1 and that ruined me race.
“We did what we thought was best. In hindsight, undercut seemed to be the right thing. Pace in the car was good, could have been more aggressive.
“The pace was good, dirty air costs you so much. The few laps I had clean... the car felt good, came alive a little bit. We undercut Carlos, ended up finishing nine seconds ahead.
“From a team side, super happy. The last few races I just feel I’ve messed up a lot and given up a lot of points, a little reset and come back stronger.”
Lewis Hamilton hints at Mercedes error after missing out on win to George Russell
16:24
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton suggested that Mercedes pitted him too early as he missed out on victory at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell claimed a stunning win as the younger Brit made his hard tyres last for 30-plus laps on a one-stop strategy.
Meanwhile Hamilton, and the rest of the chasing pack, opted for two stops and although the seven-time F1 world champion was within half-a-second of Russell in a thrilling finale, he could not squeeze past his team-mate.
Full report below:
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff:
16:11
Kieran Jackson
“Today we were clearly ahead of everyone.
“We didn’t think it was possible so we thought he should stay out and he made it last!”
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: George Russell after his win...
15:55
Kieran Jackson
“Amazing result, definitely didn’t predict this win in our strategy meeting. Car was feeling awesome, tyres felt great - kept saying we should do the one-stop. Well done to Lewis, he controlled that race, if circumstances were slightly different, he’d have got the victory.
“I was focusing a lot during the race, it was a team effort. All the strategy guys did an amazing job, we rolled the dice but it was only possible because the car was feeling great.
“Three wins in six for us now, I’d want another race next weekend. So well deserved for everyone back at Brackley and Brixworth!”
"I just kept saying 'I think we can do the one-stop!'"
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 28, 2024
George Russell on his win in Spa pic.twitter.com/fQTVcZsXDp
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton after finishing second...
15:43
Kieran Jackson
“We definitely didn’t expect it, congratulations to George and the team. We had a disaster on Friday, car was nowhere. But it was fantastic today.
“I was trying to get close to George, he did a great job going long on the tyres. Every stint I had tyres left but the team pulled me in. Unfortunate but it is what it is.
“If we can continue these types of performance, it will be fantastic. We’ve got to keep pushing.”
"We had such a disaster on Friday!"
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 28, 2024
Lewis on Mercedes' unexpected 1-2 in Spa pic.twitter.com/SzYtZ1aVtN
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Time for the podium!
15:40
Kieran Jackson
Three in four wins for Mercedes! And the fourth time in a row (after British constructor McLaren last week) that the British national anthem is played on the F1 podium!
TOP-10 IN BELGIAN GRAND PRIX:
15:38
Kieran Jackson
1. George Russell
2. Lewis Hamilton
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Max Verstappen
6. Lando Norris
7. Carlos Sainz
8. Sergio Perez (+fastest lap)
9. Fernando Alonso
10. Esteban Ocon
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Oscar Piastri after finishing third...
15:35
Kieran Jackson
“I thought I could get the Mercedes. Clean air was such a big difference, I picked up a lot of pace, managed to get a nice tyre delta for the last stop - but clearly you just needed to keep going as George showed! We managed the race very well. Very happy with the result.
“Even Lewis didn’t quite have enough pace, it wasn’t quite enough.
“It’s been a really good couple of weeks, a lot of points, made inroads on Red Bull today, but everyone is looking forward to a break.”
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: George Russell...
15:29
Kieran Jackson
“Amazing strategy, you guys are the best come on!
Wolff to Russell: “Tyre whisperer!”
That was Russell’s call to go for a one-stop strategy - and what a call it was!
Russell jumps into the arms of his Mercedes team in pure elation!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: George Russell wins at Spa-Francorchamps!
15:26
Kieran Jackson
What a stunning, stunning drive by George Russell! He holds off Lewis Hamilton by 0.5 seconds for a Mercedes one-two!
Oscar Piastri takes third place!
What a terrific race at under the Spa sunshine! Russell’s third F1 win - and definitely his best yet!
Top-10: Russell, Hamilton, Piastri, Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Sainz, Perez (fastest lap), Alonso, Ocon
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton is too far back! (Lap 44/44)
15:24
Kieran Jackson
Hamilton just can’t get it done!
What a tactic this has been by George Russell to keep first place! Stunning!
He’s on the verge of another win here!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: George Russell holds off Lewis Hamilton again (Lap 43/44)
15:22
Kieran Jackson
Both Mercedes cars go deep at turn 1 and Hamilton isn’t close enough again as they go up the hill!
Just one-and-a-half laps left - and Piastri is just one second off Hamilton too!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton backs out of a move! (Lap 42/44)
15:21
Kieran Jackson
Hamilton has a look down the inside at the end of the Kemmel Straight - but doesn’t go for it!
Russell doing everything he can to hold off his team-mate!
But Oscar Piastri is catching Hamilton rapidly now, just two seconds behind!
Which way will this swing?!
Top-10: Russell, Hamilton, Piastri, Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Sainz, Perez, Alonso, Ocon
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Russell and Hamilton are allowed to race (Lap 40/44)
15:19
Kieran Jackson
No team orders! Hamilton will have to get the move done on Russell..
Bono to Hamilton: “Just give each other plenty of space.”
Hamilton now within 0.5 seconds and has DRS and a tyre advantage.
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Hamilton now just one second off Russell (Lap 39/44)
15:16
Kieran Jackson
OK, so will Mercedes simply tell Russell to move aside - surely they will?!
The gap just one second now.
Piastri is 4.8 seconds behind Hamilton with five laps left.
It should be a Mercedes one-two - but which way round?!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Oscar Piastri overtakes Charles Leclerc (Lap 37/44)
15:11
Kieran Jackson
Big move from Oscar Piastri!
The McLaren has superior pace down the Kemmel Straight and gets it done on Leclerc around the outside... just!
Piastri up to third - and now has Lewis Hamilton, five seconds down the road, in his sights.
At the front, Hamilton continues to shave Russell’s lead - it’s now 3.7 seconds.
Top-10: Russell, Hamilton, Piastri, Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Perez, Sainz, Alonso, Stroll
OSCAR IS UP TO THE PODIUM PLACES!
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 28, 2024
Can he catch the two Mercedes ahead? pic.twitter.com/ndQgt9qszG
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton on team radio (Lap 35/44)
15:07
Kieran Jackson
“What’s my pace, am I on target to beat him or not?” asks Hamilton.
Bono: “It’s close, it’s close.”
Hamilton: “Understood.”
The gap is 5.2 seconds to Russell. And he’s 2.9 seconds clear of Leclerc in third, but the Ferrari is under pressure from Oscar Piastri now.
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: George Russell is going to the end (Lap 33/44)
15:05
Kieran Jackson
Russell, as he often does, gambling then and is going to the end on these tyres!
Hamilton is cutting the gap though, it’s now 5.4 seconds.
Leclerc is 2.6 seconds down the road, while Norris is just inside DRS range on Verstappen in fifth.
Top-10: Russell, Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Perez, Sainz, Alonso, Bottas
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Oscar Piastri pits (Lap 31/44)
15:02
Kieran Jackson
Oh Oscar!
Piastri overextends in his pit box, coming in too hot and almost knocking over the front jack man!
It means a slow stop, 4.4 seconds, but he does come out in front of Verstappen in fourth.
Top-10: Russell, Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Perez, Sainz, Alonso, Bottas
And Russell, by the sounds of it, is staying out for a one-stopper! He’s seven seconds clear of his team-mate.
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lando Norris pits (Lap 30/44)
14:59
Kieran Jackson
Indeed, Norris does pit - and he’s out behind Verstappen but in front of Sainz!
Verstappen, incidentally, only had a medium tyre available - so it will be interesting to see what performs better against Norris’ hard tyre!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen pits (Lap 29/44)
14:58
Kieran Jackson
Verstappen and Sainz pit - will Norris respond too in the next lap?
Order is shaking up then amid these pit stops...
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Oscar Piastri is pushing (Lap 28/44)
14:56
Kieran Jackson
The Aussie sets a new fastest lap of the race!
“This looks good Oscar, let’s go!” says his engineer.
Piastri: “It goes without saying, but clean air is king.”
Piastri is 5.3 secs ahead of Russell, who now occupies second place. Could it be two in a row here for the McLaren?
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton pits (Lap 26/44)
14:53
Kieran Jackson
Hamilton does respond!
A 2.4 second stop - and Hamilton comes out three seconds clear of Leclerc in sixth!
Oscar Piastri now takes the lead of the grand prix!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc pits (Lap 26/44)
14:52
Kieran Jackson
Ferrari have gambled first!
A slow stop, 3.4 seconds, and Leclerc drops from second to seventh.
Now then, will Hamilton respond straight away or not?
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton on team radio (Lap 25/44)
14:50
Kieran Jackson
Hamilton: “The tyres are still good.”
He extends his lead to Leclerc to 2.4 seconds. Mercedes are looking really good for the win here - it’s all about the next stage of pit stops though!
Norris, meanwhile, has just dropped outside of DRS range to Verstappen but the Red Bull is now two seconds behind Russell!
Top-10: Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Perez, Verstappen, Norris, Sainz, Albon, Ricciardo
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Sergio Perez pits (Lap 22/44)
14:46
Kieran Jackson
Instead of enforcing team orders, Red Bull simply decide to pit Perez to allow Verstappen pass - seems a bit early for a second stop!
Norris, meanwhile, has caught up with Verstappen and is in DRS range! This could get feisty!
Out in front, Hamilton’s lead to Leclerc is 1.6 seconds and, dare I say it, quite comfortable right now.
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz pits (Lap 21/44)
14:43
Kieran Jackson
Sainz eventually comes in and switches from hards to mediums - can he get them to the end of the race?
We shall see.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton re-takes the lead ahead of Charles Leclerc.
And further back, George Russell has overtaken Sergio Perez for fourth place!
Top-10: Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Perez, Verstappen, Norris, Sainz, Albon, Ricciardo
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton is catching Carlos Sainz
14:40
Kieran Jackson
Are Ferrari keeping Sainz out with a view of holding up Hamilton when he catches the leader?
Sainz is told: “Plan B for the mediums.”
Hamilton just 4.3 secs behind Sainz, with Leclerc 1.4 seconds further behind.
Meanwhile, Russell is doing a solid job in between the Red Bulls, with Verstappen a frustrated man in seventh!
Top-10: Sainz (no stop), Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Perez, Russell, Verstappen, Norris, Albon, Ricciardo
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lando Norris pits (Lap 16/44)
14:35
Kieran Jackson
Norris pits - 2.3 secs - for hards and comes out five seconds behind Verstappen in ninth, though he will have a few more laps of life left on his tyres.
Out in front, Carlos Sainz goes onto the gravel in sector one but squeezes his car back on the circuit - yet loses three seconds.
Sainz’s lead to Hamilton is six seconds, with Leclerc in third 1.3 secs off the Brit.
As for Verstappen in seventh, he’s told by his engineer to “have a go” at Russell in sixth.
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc pits (Lap 14/44)
14:30
Kieran Jackson
A busy pit-lane right now and Leclerc drops to fifth as he pits, with Carlos Sainz now taking the lead ahead of Lando Norris - both haven’t stopped.
Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri is flying on these hard tyres and overtakes Sergio Perez now to move up the field.
Top-10: Sainz (no stop), Norris (no stop), Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Perez, Russell, Verstappen, Magnussen, Tsunoda
Sainz and Norris have missed their boat to stop in this spree now, as they’d drop way behind Verstappen in eighth. Now, they’ll focus on the latter stages of the race for an optimum stop
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton pits (Lap 12/44)
14:27
Kieran Jackson
Never mind Norris, the race leader reacts to Verstappen!
Hamilton drops to sixth as Leclerc stays out, while Perez and Piastri also pit!
Piastri was just behind Russell at the pit exit but the McLaren overtakes the Mercedes at the Kemmel Straight!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen pits (Lap 11/44)
14:24
Kieran Jackson
Verstappen is looking to undercut Norris here! A 2.7 sec stop from Red Bull.
George Russell also pitted, 2.3 seconds, and comes out in 12th.
So, will Lando pit straight away after this lap?!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton on team radio (Lap 10/44)
14:23
Kieran Jackson
“The tyres are still OK, rears are definitely dropping,” says Hamilton.
His lead to Leclerc is two seconds.
Best battle in the top-10 is Carlos Sainz on the cusp of George Russell in fifth, 0.6 seconds behind.
But now the pack seem to be stuck in a bit of a queue from Hamilton in first to Verstappen in eighth!
Some of the cars down the order, on softs, have already pitted...
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton outside of DRS range (Lap 7/44)
14:16
Kieran Jackson
Where have Mercedes found this early pace from?!
Hamilton extends his lead to 1.3 seconds, outside of DRS range to Charles Leclerc.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris is just doing enough to keep Max Verstappen behind him, despite the deficit being just half-a-second.
Top-10: Hamilton, Leclerc, Perez, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Norris, Verstappen, Alonso, Albon
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton overtakes Charles Leclerc (Lap 3/44)
14:11
Kieran Jackson
What pace from the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton!
Hamilton uses DRS to pass Leclerc down the outside with ease on the Kemmel Straight!
Hamilton leads the Belgian GP!
Top-10: Hamilton, Leclerc, Perez, Piasri, Russell, Sainz, Norris, Verstappen, Alonso, Albon
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen already on Lando Norris’ tail!
14:09
Kieran Jackson
Norris, down in P7, now has Verstappen on his tail with the Red Bull having already jumped up three places!
Nightmare for the Brit!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lights out!
14:07
Kieran Jackson
Away we go then and Charles Leclerc reacts well and keeps the lead at the start!
Lewis Hamilton started off well and overtakes Sergio Perez up Eau Rouge and down the Kemmel Straight!
But it’s a nightmare start for Lando Norris, who drops three places to seventh as Oscar Piastri takes fourth place!
Formation lap!
14:01
Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc leads the pack around for the formation lap under the sun at Spa!
All the top-13 on medium tyres other than Carlos Sainz in sixth, who is on the hard compound tyres.
Here we go then! What will happen at the first turn?!
A reminder of the starting grid at Spa:
13:58
Kieran Jackson
1. Charles Leclerc
2. Sergio Perez
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. Lando Norris
5. Oscar Piastri
6. George Russell
7. Carlos Sainz
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Esteban Ocon
10. Alex Albon
11. Max Verstappen*
12. Pierre Gasly
13. Daniel Ricciardo
14. Valtteri Bottas
15. Lance Stroll
16. Nico Hulkenberg
17. Kevin Magnussen
18. Logan Sargeant
19. Zhou Guanyu
20. Yuki Tsunoda**
*Verstappen takes a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his engine allocation
**Tsunoda starts at the back of the grid after exceeding his engine allocation
George Russell who starts P6:
13:55
Kieran Jackson
“A lot of unknowns going into this race, it’s a bit hotter today and it may make the deg improve. Time will tell.
“Patience game today, you can box early but you’ll pay for that today.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner:
13:53
Kieran Jackson
“It’s going to be tough, it’s not like previous years, but we’ll see.”
“Best thing Sergio can do is take the lead by turn five and bugger off!”
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur:
13:49
Kieran Jackson
“We have to be efficient and have to win when we have the best car and score as many points as we can.”
Time for the Belgian national anthem at Spa!
13:47
Kieran Jackson
Performed by Alyah Lukunku under the Spa sunshine!
McLaren CEO Zak Brown:
13:43
Kieran Jackson
“We have two cars capable of winning, we’re good in these conditions. Clean first lap, good tyre set-up, we’ll see.
“They’re in good shape.”
Alex Albon, who starts P10 today:
13:40
Kieran Jackson
“The track feels very grippy. So far, so good.
“It seems this weekend there’s been more of a gap between the top teams and the test. So yeah, Max will be past me pretty quickly.”
PREVIEW: Lando Norris must start converting potential into race wins
13:35
Kieran Jackson
Ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix at the prestigious Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Lando Norris trails Max Verstappen by 76 points in the F1 drivers’ championship. After the Dutchman won four of the first five races, it is to McLaren’s credit that they have caught Red Bull in the development race and, on the evidence of the last month, have overtaken Adrian Newey’s ground-effects juggernaut, most effectively in the second half of the grand prix on Sunday.
But what will be to Norris’s immense frustration is this: the deficit should be narrower.
Full piece below:
The stars of the show at the drivers parade:
13:29
Kieran Jackson
This is a mad set of statistics!
13:24
Kieran Jackson
Déjà vu anyone? pic.twitter.com/VMzhcmqZOh
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 28, 2024
Lando Norris, who starts P4:
13:14
Kieran Jackson
“Nice sunny day here which is rare, ready to go and optimistic we can have a good result but we know the Red Bulls will be very fast, bit nervous about them.
“At the minute, the Red Bull is quicker - if we can keep him behind... there’s three cars to try and overtake in the first place.
“Any victory is a good one, it would be great for myself, we have places to work on. Ending the first half in a good way is always a good bonus for the team.”
Lewis Hamilton hits out at Max Verstappen over X-rated radio exchanges with team
13:08
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton has accused Max Verstappen of not acting like a world champion after the Dutchman told his critics to “turn the volume down” if they do not like his language.
Verstappen, who is set to serve a 10-place grid penalty at Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix for exceeding his permitted engine parts, has faced a backlash after he turned the airwaves blue in Hungary last weekend.
Full piece below:
Driver Standings ahead of today’s race:
13:01
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen - 265 points
2. Lando Norris - 189 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 162 points
4. Carlos Sainz - 154 points
5. Oscar Piastri - 149 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 125 points
7. Sergio Perez - 124 points
8. George Russell - 116 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 45 points
10. Lance Stroll - 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg - 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo - 11 points
14. Oliver Bearman - 6 points
15. Pierre Gasly - 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen - 5 points
17. Alex Albon - 4 points
18. Esteban Ocon - 3 points
19. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
COMMENT: The lesson McLaren must learn after Oscar Piastri win turns sour amid Lando Norris row
12:52
Kieran Jackson
Will McLaren learn their lesson today?
As the laps remaining tumbled down at the end of the Hungarian Grand Prix, there was one topic on everyone’s lips as a papaya storm brewed at the front. Will Lando Norris – Formula One’s Mr Popular – follow the instructions of his team? Or, in a shock twist, won’t he?
Norris, a championship contender for the first time, was put in an unenviable position by McLaren at the Hungaroring on Sunday. Having regained the lead of the race through the team’s questionable pit-stop strategy, the British driver was extending his lead on the track from teammate Oscar Piastri, originally in first after a super move at the start.
The gap was six seconds and there were less than five laps remaining. With his race engineer Will Joseph imploring his driver to follow protocol – “please, do it now” – Norris had to swing one way or the other. Be selfless, or selfish?
Lando Norris, who starts today’s race in P4:
12:40
Kieran Jackson
Mixed feelings. I was struggling at points, and it felt like I was a little bit off the pace, which is frustrating. I think we paid the price for a slightly lower downforce, so hopefully, it comes back to us after some work overnight.
“Starting P4 keeps us in the fight and provides a great opportunity to gain positions.”
A reminder of the starting grid at Spa:
12:30
Kieran Jackson
1. Charles Leclerc
2. Sergio Perez
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. Lando Norris
5. Oscar Piastri
6. George Russell
7. Carlos Sainz
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Esteban Ocon
10. Alex Albon
11. Max Verstappen*
12. Pierre Gasly
13. Daniel Ricciardo
14. Valtteri Bottas
15. Lance Stroll
16. Nico Hulkenberg
17. Kevin Magnussen
18. Logan Sargeant
19. Zhou Guanyu
20. Yuki Tsunoda**
*Verstappen takes a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his engine allocation
**Tsunoda starts at the back of the grid after exceeding his engine allocation
Lewis Hamilton, who will start P3 today:
12:16
Kieran Jackson
“Overall, qualifying was a good session for us. We tried to predict the weather as best we could, which is a real challenge around here. In hindsight, we would have chosen to run a little later on our new set of Intermediates in Q3, but the conditions and incoming rain are so hard to forecast.
“Our pace was still decent on tyres that we had completed multiple push laps on so we can be pleased with our efforts today.
“Tomorrow’s race will be a challenge. We’ve likely got a few quicker cars starting behind us in Verstappen and the McLarens. I will be getting my head down though, trying to hold position to them and see if I can keep up with the guys ahead of me.
“I will be giving it everything and hopefully the changes we’ve made overnight will help us find more pace in the dry than we had on Friday.”
Constructors’ Championship ahead of today’s race:
12:09
Kieran Jackson
1. Red Bull - 389 points
2. McLaren - 338 points
3. Ferrari - 322 points
4. Mercedes - 241 points
5. Aston Martin - 69 points
6. RB - 33 points
7. Haas - 27 points
8. Alpine - 9 points
9. Williams - 4 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
Lando Norris laments ‘shocking’ qualifying display in Belgium Grand Prix
12:06
Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris lamented a “shocking” qualifying display for Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix which leaves him scrambling to take advantage of championship rival Max Verstappen’s grid penalty.
Verstappen reigned supreme at a rain-hit Spa-Francorchamps to claim pole position for Formula One’s concluding round before its four-week summer shutdown.
But the Red Bull driver will be relegated to 11th when the lights go out at Sunday’s 44-lap contest for taking on his fifth internal combustion engine, one more than he is permitted.
Full piece below:
Driver Standings ahead of today’s race:
11:42
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen - 265 points
2. Lando Norris - 189 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 162 points
4. Carlos Sainz - 154 points
5. Oscar Piastri - 149 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 125 points
7. Sergio Perez - 124 points
8. George Russell - 116 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 45 points
10. Lance Stroll - 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg - 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo - 11 points
14. Oliver Bearman - 6 points
15. Pierre Gasly - 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen - 5 points
17. Alex Albon - 4 points
18. Esteban Ocon - 3 points
19. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
Sergio Perez after qualifying in third, P2 for today’s race:
11:29
Kieran Jackson
“It was very tricky conditions. It was good to finally put it together. We didn’t have any new tyres in Q3, we were a bit lucky to make it from Q2. This was the best we could do. It’s a long race ahead of us, it looks like it will be dry so we’ll see.
“Tomorrow is a new opportunity for us to do better than today and go for that win. It’s a very long race, tomorrow degradation will be tricky. There are a lot of unknowns, I have a good feeling so we’ll see.”
A reminder of the starting grid at Spa:
11:20
Kieran Jackson
1. Charles Leclerc
2. Sergio Perez
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. Lando Norris
5. Oscar Piastri
6. George Russell
7. Carlos Sainz
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Esteban Ocon
10. Alex Albon
11. Max Verstappen*
12. Pierre Gasly
13. Daniel Ricciardo
14. Valtteri Bottas
15. Lance Stroll
16. Nico Hulkenberg
17. Kevin Magnussen
18. Logan Sargeant
19. Zhou Guanyu
20. Yuki Tsunoda**
*Verstappen takes a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his engine allocation
**Tsunoda starts at the back of the grid after exceeding his engine allocation
Pole-sitter Charles Leclerc:
11:17
Kieran Jackson
“On my side, it was a clean lap, but not an incredible lap. So yeah, I’m very happy to be P2 but I definitely did not expect that.
“I think as a team today P5 will have been a bit of a good result and today we are P2 and tomorrow we will be starting on pole.
“So that’s a good thing. But as I said we don’t have any magical solution for the race pace and it will be a bit of a tricky day.”
Start time for the Belgian Grand Prix:
11:10
Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Sunday 21 July
- Race: 2pm
How can I watch it online and on TV?
The Belgian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom - and ESPN in the United States. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race starts at 12:30pm (BST).
You can watch highlights on free-to-air Channel 4 at 7:30pm (BST) on S