Mercedes-Benz AMG’s Lewis Hamilton claimed victory on Sunday on the 2024 System 1 Belgian Grand Prix after teammate George Russell, who was the primary to cross the end line, was disqualified for an underweight automotive.
A post-race weigh in resulted in Russell’s automotive weighing 796.5 kilograms (roughly 1,756 kilos), or 1.5 much less (3.3 kilos) than the minimal. Mercedes cited a “real error” because the trigger.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri claimed second place within the race which served as spherical 14 of the 2024 season and befell on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Third place went to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc began the race on pole and was joined on the entrance by Purple Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez. The Ferrari driver acquired a superb begin however Perez acquired slowed down and was quickly overtaken by Hamilton. Reigning champion Max Verstappen truly certified quickest on Saturday however began the race at eleventh on the grid attributable to a 10-spot penalty associated to an influence unit change.
2024 System 1 Belgian Grand Prix – Picture by way of Mercedes-Benz
After three laps, Hamilton handed Leclerc to say the lead with a bit assist from DRS, whereas behind them Perez was doing his greatest to carry off Piastri. Drivers quickly began to pit for the primary of two scheduled tire modifications, with Hamilton being the primary of the leaders, after which he rejoined in sixth. Russell would make a cease shortly after, although when Hamilton made his second cease on lap 26, with a couple of different drivers following him, Russell took of venture and determined to remain out, which handed him the lead spot.
He then did his greatest to handle his tires to the tip of the 44-lap race. Lap after lap, Hamilton would shut in on Russell, and with seven laps remaining, Russell was roughly three seconds forward of Hamilton, with Piastri and Leclerc not far behind. Regardless of the specter of Hamilton, Russell saved his cool and in the long run crossed the end line first, his gamble paying off, however solely simply. Hamilton was simply half a second behind. It was all in useless although, as Russell was later disqualified.
Additional again, Piastri would end half a second behind Hamilton, after which Leclerc roughly eight seconds behind. Though he delivered spectacular tempo, Verstappen could not catch the leaders and ended up crossing the end line in fifth.
2024 System 1 Belgian Grand Prix – Picture by way of Mercedes-Benz
Perez could not capitalize on his front-row begin. After reporting of battery points early on, the Mexican driver pushed on, ending eighth, solely barely behind Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in seventh.
Following the weekend’s motion, Verstappen nonetheless leads the 2024 Drivers’ Championship with 277 factors. Norris is second with 199 factors and Leclerc is third with 177 factors. Within the Constructors’ Championship, Purple Bull leads with 408 factors. McLaren is second with 366 factors and Ferrari is third with 345 factors.
Groups now take pleasure in a summer season break earlier than returning for the Dutch Grand Prix on Aug. 25.
2024 System 1 Belgian Grand Prix – Picture by way of Mercedes-Benz
2024 System 1 Belgian Grand Prix outcomes:
DQ) George Russell, Mercedes-Benz AMG
1) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz AMG +0.526 seconds
2) Oscar Piastri, McLaren +1.173 seconds
3) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +8.549 seconds
4) Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing +9.226 seconds
5) Lando Norris, McLaren +9.850 seconds
6) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +19.79 seconds
7) Sergio Perez, Purple Bull Racing +43.195 seconds
8) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +49.963 seconds
9) Esteban Ocon, Alpine +52.552 seconds
10) Daniel Ricciardo, RB +54.926 seconds
11) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +63.011 seconds
12) Alexander Albon, Williams +63.651 seconds
13) Pierre Gasly, Alpine +64.365 seconds
14) Kevin Magnussen, Haas +66.631 seconds
15) Valtteri Bottas, Sauber +70.638 seconds
16) Yuki Tsunoda, RB +76.737 seconds
17) Logan Sargeant, Williams +86.057 seconds
18) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas +88.833 seconds
NC) Zhou Guanyu, Sauber – DNF
