FYI: Lewis Hamilton Clinches Victory in 2024 F1 Belgian Grand Prix Amid Controversy
Lewis Hamilton soared to victory in the 2024 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, securing a dramatic win as teammate George Russell’s disqualification overshadowed Mercedes’ performance. Despite crossing the finish line first, Russell’s success was snatched away after his car was deemed underweight.
Hamilton Triumphs, Russell Disqualified
Mercedes-Benz AMG’s ace driver Lewis Hamilton found himself celebrating an unexpected win at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday. His teammate George Russell had initially clocked in ahead, but a post-race scrutineering revealed Russell’s car weighed 796.5 kilograms, falling 1.5 kilograms short of the minimum weight requirement. This "genuine mistake," as declared by Mercedes, cost Russell the victory and left Hamilton at the top.
Race Highlights and Key Players
Following the disqualification, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri climbed to second place, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounded out the podium in third. Leclerc started the race from pole position, a promising start that quickly saw him overtaken by Hamilton after a fierce battle with Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Pérez.
Saturday’s qualifying hero, Max Verstappen, faced a challenging race day. Despite securing the fastest qualifying time, a 10-place grid penalty for a power unit change saw him start from 11th. Verstappen managed to climb up to fifth by the race’s end, holding tightly onto his lead in the Drivers’ Championship.
Race Dynamics
Hamilton, showcasing his strategic acumen, seized the lead from Leclerc with timely use of DRS. Early tire strategies indicated a competitive tussle, with leaders opting for varied pit stop schedules. Russell’s audacious decision to prolong his stay on the track during his second stint nearly paid off. Despite aging tires, he led the race towards the final laps, narrowly holding off Hamilton until his disqualification reconfigured the results.
Top Finishers and Standings
By the end of an exhilarating 44 laps, the final standings saw Piastri and Leclerc completing the podium, closely followed by Verstappen. Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz finished fifth and sixth respectively, with Sergio Pérez, battling battery issues, ending up seventh.
Here’s a glimpse of the top ten results:
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz AMG +0.526 seconds
- Oscar Piastri, McLaren +1.173 seconds
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +8.549 seconds
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing +9.226 seconds
- Lando Norris, McLaren +9.850 seconds
- Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +19.79 seconds
- Sergio Pérez, Red Bull Racing +43.195 seconds
- Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +49.963 seconds
- Esteban Ocon, Alpine +52.552 seconds
- Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing +54.926 seconds
Championship Standings
Post-race standings reflect Verstappen’s continued dominance in the Drivers’ Championship with 277 points. Lando Norris remains his closest competitor with 199 points, while Charles Leclerc sits in third with 177 points. The Constructors’ Championship sees Red Bull Racing leading comfortably at 408 points, followed by McLaren with 366 points, and Ferrari in third with 345 points.
Looking Ahead
As teams head into the summer hiatus, they’ll regroup and recalibrate, ready to resume action at the Dutch Grand Prix on August 25th. The 2024 season continues to promise intense competition and thrilling races.
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Article by Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
