George Russell: Lewis Hamilton ‘feels’ for Mercedes team-mate after Belgian GP victory disqualification
Eventual Spa victor Lewis Hamilton admits “I feel for George and it’s disappointing for the team not to get the one-two.”; Russell reflects on “heartbreaking” exclusion after car found to be 1.5kg underweight, but says he still takes “pride in crossing the line first” on one-stop strategy
Craig Slater explains why George Russell was disqualified from the Belgian GP which lead to Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton being elevated to first.
Lewis Hamilton admitted he had “mixed feelings” and expressed sympathy for team-mate George Russell after inheriting victory in the Belgian Grand Prix when his Mercedes team-mate’s car was disqualified from the race.
Russell, meanwhile, described his post-race disqualification for an underweight car as “heartbreaking”.
The British pair had earlier crossed the finishing line nose-to-nail in a gripping conclusion to the race at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday having adopted different pit-stop strategies.
After a storming start from third on the grid, Hamilton had led the race’s first half on a conventional two-stop strategy but lost track position to Russell, who had gambled on a bold one-stopper having run only fifth through the first stint.
Lewis Hamilton leads the Belgian GP after early overtaking both Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc.
But Russell’s car was later found to be underweight by the FIA technical delegate and subsequently disqualified from the results, with Hamilton promoted from second to the win – his fifth at Spa and record-extending 105th of his career.
In a post on Instagram on Sunday evening, Hamilton said: “Mixed feelings for today’s result. Obviously happy to get the win but I feel for George and it’s disappointing for the team not to get the one-two.
“A lot of positives to take from today, though. At the start of the weekend, we didn’t expect to be at the front or the pace we had, so it’s great to see just how much progress has been made and that we are in the fight. We take all these positives with us into the break and will come back a stronger team ready to keep the momentum going.”
In a further, later post via his Instagram story, Hamilton added: “Great drive today @georgerussell63, really am gutted for you and the team losing the win and also our 1-2 which the team deserved. Let’s keep pushing, work towards another 1-2 in the second half.”
In an earlier post on his own Instagram account, a disappointed Russell had said: “Heartbreaking… We came in 1.5kg underweight and have been disqualified from the race.
“We left it all on the track today and I take pride in crossing the line first.
“There will be more to come.”