Russell applauds ‘hail mary’ Belgian GP strategy call

George Russell took a sensational victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, holding off Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages at Spa-Francorchamps.

Mercedes celebrates its third triumph in four races, with the British driver taking the third grand prix win of his career on an aggressive one-stop strategy - which Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft called a "hail mary" approach.

It was the German marque's first one-two finish since the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Russell's maiden win - and its sixtieth one-two overall in F1.

Hamilton started from fourth on the grid, whilst Russell came through the pack from sixth at the start - taking advantage of the rest of the front-runners opting for an extra pit-stop.

It had looked as if the seven-time drivers' champion would have enough pace in his newer tyres, but Russell persevered against his team-mate.

"Amazing result," the 26-year-old said after the race. "Definitely didn't predict this win this morning in our strategy meeting, but the car was feeling really awesome.

"We made a lot of changes from Friday night, and the tyres just felt great. I keep saying: 'I think we can do the one stop, I think we can do the one stop' and the strategy [team] did a really great job.

"Well done to Lewis, he really controlled that race, and if circumstances were slightly different, I'm sure he would have got the victory.

"But one-two for the team was such an awesome result and such a great way to go into the break."

NOTE:  George Russell was promptly disqualified from the race for an underweight car handing the win to Hamilton.

Russell could be heard over team radio during the grand prix pushing to be switched onto what turned out to be the winning one-stop approach.

However, when asked post-race, he was coy about who ultimately made the call, opting to turn his attention to the work of the strategy team and those who provided him a race-winning car.

"I was focusing a lot during the race - so I would have to listen to the radio comms back, but it was a team effort - the strategy guys did an amazing job. As always, it's that team effort," the now three-time grand prix winner said.

"We rolled the dice, but it was only possible because the car was feeling great and the pace was there. One-two, such a good result."