Hamilton Wins Belgian Grand Prix After Russell Disqualified

Lewis Hamilton took the checkered flag at the Belgian Grand Prix, but the race was far from a straightforward victory. A dramatic late-race twist saw his teammate, George Russell, who had initially led the race and looked set for a third Grand Prix win, disqualified after his car was found to be underweight. The incident sent shockwaves through the race and left fans stunned as Hamilton inherited the win in an unexpected turn of events.

Hamilton, who had dominated much of the race after snatching the lead from pole-sitter Charles Leclerc within the first two laps, had closed the gap on Russell in the closing stages. The two Mercedes drivers engaged in a thrilling duel, with Hamilton pushing relentlessly, but he was unable to pass his teammate on track despite getting agonizingly close. The battle ultimately ended with Russell crossing the finish line first, only to see his victory snatched away by the technical violation.

Lewis Hamilton

Governo do Estado de São Paulo, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The disqualification capped off a day of high drama at Spa-Francorchamps. Russell had taken a gamble on a one-stop strategy, hoping to stretch his tires and make it to the end of the race. This bold strategy had initially seemed to pay off, with Russell holding a comfortable lead over Hamilton. However, the car's weight violation ultimately cost him dearly.

Beyond the controversial conclusion, the Belgian Grand Prix produced several other key moments:

• McLaren's Podium Push: Oscar Piastri's third-place finish marked a strong performance for McLaren, propelling them into second in the championship standings.
• Verstappen's Resurgence: Max Verstappen, starting from 11th place, fought back valiantly, recovering to finish fifth, a testament to the Red Bull's power and his own driving skills.
• Norris and Sainz's Close Encounter: The two McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, engaged in a tight and captivating battle throughout the race. Sainz ultimately took sixth place, narrowly edging out Norris.
• Perez's Difficult Day: Red Bull's Sergio Perez had a less successful race, ultimately finishing seventh after being overtaken by Sainz. The Mexican driver faced increasing pressure surrounding his position in the team.
• Alonso's Consistent Performance: Fernando Alonso, the veteran driver for Aston Martin, secured a solid eighth-place finish, showcasing his unwavering consistency and talent.

The race's ending injected a significant dose of uncertainty into the Formula 1 season. While Hamilton celebrated his unexpected win, the controversy surrounding Russell's disqualification and the impact it had on the championship standings will be a hot topic for discussion in the days to come. The Belgian Grand Prix will undoubtedly go down in history as a race that defied expectations and left fans and drivers alike in a state of awe and bewilderment.