Drama at Spa: George Russell Disqualified After Race Win, Lewis Hamilton Declared Champion

Theater Coup at Spa-Francorchamps. George Russell, who crossed the finish line in first place, after a superb performance, has just been disqualified from the Belgian GP. The British driver’s Mercedes was below the minimum regulatory weight, which led to the disqualification.

The post-race checks revealed that his car weighed 798 kg, the minimum required, but after draining 2.8 liters of fuel, it weighed 796.5 kg, 1.5 kg below the minimum.

The first information from the FIA stated the following:

“After the race, car number 63 [Russell] was weighed and its weight was 798.0 kg, which is the minimum weight required by article 4.1 of the Technical Regulations. After that, fuel was drained from the car and 2.8 liters of fuel were removed. The car was not completely emptied according to the draining procedure presented by the team in its legality documents, as article 6.5.2 of the Technical Regulations is complied with.

The car was weighed again on the FIA’s internal and external scales, and the weight was 796.5 kg. The calibration of the internal and external scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor. As this weight is 1.5 kg below the minimum required weight in article 4.1 of the Technical Regulations, which must also be respected at all times during the competition, I refer this matter to the Stewards for their consideration.”

The disqualification has just been confirmed, with the latest publication from the FIA:

“Infringement – Violation of article 4.1 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations.

Decision – Car 63 is disqualified from the race. All other drivers move up in the standings.

Reason – The Stewards heard the representative of Car 63’s team (George Russell), the FIA Technical Delegate, the FIA Single-Seater Director, and the FIA Technical Single-Seater Director.

Car 63 was weighed on the FIA’s internal and external scales, both showing the same result of 796.5 kg. The calibration of both scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor.

During the hearing, the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all necessary procedures were carried out correctly. The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error on the team’s part.

The Stewards determined that article 4.1 of the FIA Technical Regulations for Formula 1 was violated and that, consequently, the normal penalty for an infringement of this type must be applied.”

Thus, it is Lewis Hamilton who takes victory in the Belgian GP, his 105th win, Oscar Piastri took second place, and Charles Leclerc was promoted to third. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris completed the top 5.”

Photo: Philippe Nanchino/ MPSA