Mercedes’ George Russell was exiled in his race in the Belgian GP after his race win following a stewards’ inquiry into his vehicle’s underweight.

George Russell was stripped of his win at the Belgian Grand Prix after his Mercedes car was weighed too low at the time of the chequered flag.

By Laurence Edmondson

28 July 2024 at 04:28 12:28

George Russell was stripped of his victory at the Belgian Grand Prix after his Mercedes car was found to be underweight after the chequered flag.

The teammate Lewis Hamilton was promoted to the top spot, securing his second win this season after winning during the British Grand Prix earlier this month.

Russell’s car was checked after the race, and was determined to be at the weight required for the race (798 kilograms) However, when the fuel was removed from the Mercedes the car, it was discovered to be 1.5kg less than the recommended weight.

The issue was then referred to the stewards who decided that Russell’s car was not eligible for a permit.

“Car 63 was weighed on the FIA outside and inside scales, with both showing the same results that was 796.5kg,” a stewards statement read. “The calibrated scales were verified and verified by the competitors.

“During the hearing, the team’s representative confirmed that the measurement was accurate and that all necessary procedures were carried out correctly. The team also admitted that there was no exaggerated circumstances and that this was an honest error made of the team.

“The Stewards decide the Article 4.1 in the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations is infringed, and penalties for an infraction must be implemented.

“Competitors are reminded of their option of appealing certain decisions made by 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 time limit applicable.”

Russell was the winner of the race using an all-stop plan, meaning that he only used only one set of tyres over the course of 34 laps, while other drivers made an additional stop.

The wear and tear on the four tyres may contribute to the weight loss over an extended time, though teams generally take into account this prior to the race.

Another characteristic of one of the most unique aspects to Belgian Grand Prix is that the Spa-Francorchamps lap’s length allows drivers to not finish cooling-down laps following the chequered lap but enter the pit lane right after Turn 1.

In the absence of cooling down laps, it also means drivers are unable to pick up any scraps of rubber from their tyres. This is the normal procedure following the race to replace any weight lost.

“Heartbreaking. … The team have all gone to the track today and am proud to cross the finish line as the fastest,” Russell said in an Instagram post following the race. “There are more races to be had.”

Before the decision of the stewards, Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff stated that his team will have to accept a disqualification should it happened.

“You must be able to take it head on,” he said. “If the stewards choose to go against us, that’s the way it is. A mistake was made or could have occurred and one-two would have been a wonderful outcome heading into summer break. This could not be more wrong.

“The positive, and the only positive thing we can learn in this event is that we have two race cars which served as the standard for this race, using the two strategies that we used. Who would have thought of that in the past few months? That’s a great thing to know.”

When asked if there was any damage on the car of Russell that could contribute to the car being overweight, Wolff added: “No I believe it’s a one-stop … you’d expect to lose rubber, perhaps more, but there’s no reason to be able to.

“If … when the stewards consider it to be a violation of rules the situation is as it is and we must take the lessons learned and as a group, since there are many positives to be taken in, for George is an enormous blow to the driver whose childhood goal was to win these races, only to find out that it’s gone away. But he’ll be able to win more races.”