George Russell vows Belgian GP disqualification will haunt him ‘until my deathbed’

George Russell will never forget the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix disqualification

George Russell has said his late disqualification from the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix will stay with him until the day he dies. The Mercedes driver was stripped of victory at Spa-Francorchamps after his car weighed 1.5 kg under the minimum limit, handing the win to Lewis Hamilton.

What happened in Belgium last year?

Russell led the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix on 28 July after a masterclass one-stop strategy against Hamilton, who was on a two-stopper. With three laps to go, Russell crossed the line first. But the FIA’s technical delegate reported his car weighed 796.5 kg: 1.5 kg below the required 798.0 kg. The Mercedes driver was instantly disqualified and Hamilton was awarded the victory.

Russell called the race “a great race” despite the outcome. “When the day I’m lying on my deathbed, I’ll probably remember that race because of what happened,” he told the Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show.

Why it still stings for Russell

The disqualification cost Russell a trophy in a season when he wasn’t in the championship fight. It also left Spa without a win in his career record. His best finish at Spa remains second place in the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, a race shortened to three laps behind the safety car because of wet weather.

Spa has never been kind to Russell. He heads there this weekend with a 25-point gap to Kimi Antonelli in the drivers’ standings. He’s closed the gap in recent races but knows more work is needed to claim his first Formula 1 title.

What comes next at Spa?

Russell returns to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend facing tough energy management and track challenges. Mercedes race engineer Marcus Dudley joked the track “owes me something.” Russell replied: “Owes Marcus a kilo and a half.”

Race engineer Andrew Shovlin warned the track will test energy recovery and management. Russell admitted the circuit is tough at the best of times. He added: “It’s going to be difficult this year.”