Mercedes to launch investigation into Russell disqualification

Mercedes has committed to launching an investigation into the root causes of George Russell's disqualification from the Belgian Grand Prix.

Russell was chucked out of the Spa results having won the race on-track on an audacious one-stop strategy, with the rest of the field on a two-stopper.

Lewis Hamilton, who finished less than a second behind on the two-stop was promoted to the 105th victory of his career, with Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc on the final podium. 

Mercedes believe that the one-stop strategy, increase tyre wear, lack of a safety car to save fuel and the absence of a traditional in-lap to pick-up rubber combined to put Russell 1.5kg under the 798kg minimum weight limit, but trackside engineering chief Andrew Shovlin has promised an investigation.

"It's really tough for George to have been disqualified from the win after such an impressive drive," Shovlin explained. 

"He did a brilliant job to hang onto the tyres and defend to the finish. We don't yet understand why the car was underweight following the race but will investigate thoroughly to find the explanation. 

"We expect that the loss of rubber from the one-stop was a contributing factor, and we'll work to understand how it happened. 

"We won't be making any excuses though. It is clearly not good enough and we need to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Relief for Hamilton's win

Mercedes' blushes were spared by Hamilton taking the victory, less than a second clear of Piastri after they hunted Russell down, with Shovlin expressing Mercedes' relief at the seven-time world champion's fifth Belgian GP win.

"It was a relief to have Lewis in second to inherit the victory. He also drove a strong race and was the fastest two-stopping car out there today," he said.

"We can be pleased with the car pace but overall, it's disappointing not to walk away with the 1-2.

"That is particularly true after such a good recovery from one of our most difficult Fridays, and following a race that was so well managed by the team.

"We'll learn from this and be back strong in Zandvoort after the summer break."