Russell stripped of Belgian GP win as Verstappen soothes Spa fear - RacingNews365 Review

Russell disqualified

The big story from the Belgian Grand Prix was the disqualification of race-winner George Russell. 

He was booted out for an underweight car having pulled off an audacious one-stop strategy that defeated Lewis Hamilton by less than a second. 

But Russell's W15 was found to be 1.5kg under the 798kg weight-limit, prompting the stewards to kick him out, the first race-winner to be black-flagged since Michael Schumacher at the 1994 Belgian Grand Prix. 

READ MORE: Hamilton wins Belgian Grand Prix after Russell disqualified

What does Toto Wolff say?

Reflecting on the verdict, Toto Wolff insists that Mercedes will 'take it on the chin' as theories behind the decision grow.

As Russell completed the high tyre degradation race on a one-stop, the working theory is that this wore the tyres down, which combined with a lack of fuel owing to the race having no safety cars and the lack of an in-lap to pick up rubber. 

READ MORE: Mercedes release statement following Russell's Spa disqualification

How about Lewis Hamilton?

As for Hamilton, it is the 105th victory of his grand prix career, and second in three races.

It is the fifth victory for him at Spa, but he was magnanimous towards Russell when reflecting in the aftermath. 

READ MORE: Hamilton reacts after inheriting Belgian GP victory

Verstappen's Spa fear

As for championship-leader Max Verstappen, he was fifth before Russell was booted out, and promoted to fourth. 

It is the first time he has finished in fourth in a grand prix since the 2019 Russian Grand Prix, some 103 races ago. 

In even better news, Verstappen also extended his championship lead over Lando Norris, who was fifth, as one fear was soothed.

READ MORE: Verstappen reveals Belgian GP fear in F1 title race