F1 2024: Big Upset at Belgian GP, George Russell Disqualified as Lewis Hamilton Inherits Race Win

A dramatic turn of events unfolded at the Belgian Grand Prix as George Russell was disqualified from his initial victory. The Mercedes driver's car was found to be 1.5 kilograms below the mandatory 798kg minimum weight limit, despite initially passing the FIA's weigh-in. This infraction resulted in the promotion of teammate Lewis Hamilton to the top step of the podium, marking his second win of the season. The revised podium saw Oscar Piastri claim second place, while Charles Leclerc held off fierce challenges from Max Verstappen and Lando Norris to secure the final spot.

The report said: 'The Stewards heard from the team representative of Car 63 (George Russell), the FIA Technical Delegate, the FIA Single Seater Director and the FIA Single Seater Technical Director.

'Car 63 was weighed on the FIA inside and outside scales with both scales showing the same result of 796.5 kg. The calibration of both scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor.

'During the hearing, the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly. The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.

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'The Stewards determine that Article 4.1 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty for such an infringement needs to be applied.

'Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.'

F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Updated Result 

With Russell's disqualification, Lewis Hamilton claims his 105th Grand Prix victory, with Oscar Piastri taking second place and Charles Leclerc completing the podium. This marks the first time a Grand Prix winner has been disqualified since Michael Schumacher's infamous incident at the 1994 Belgian Grand Prix.

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The dramatic penalty triggered a cascade of changes to the finishing order. Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Sergio Perez, Fernando Alonso, and Esteban Ocon all moved up one position, with Daniel Ricciardo earning a point for Red Bull by finishing tenth.