- Russell started from sixth place and put in a great drive to finish the race first
- But the weight of the Briton’s Mercedes after the race means he is likely to lose his victory
- Lewis Hamilton looks set to inherit race victory at Spa, his second win this year
It looks like George Russell will miss out on his second win of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
After an incredibly dramatic final lap at the Belgian GP in Spa, which saw Russell cross the finish line first, just half a second ahead of his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton, Russell is now in danger of losing his victory.
The post-race weight of his car has drawn the ire of race stewards and compatriot Hamilton looks set to inherit the race win. Russell’s car was 1.5kg under the required weight.
In a statement released after the race, FIA Formula 1 Technical Delegate Jo Bauer confirmed: ‘After the race, car number 63 was weighed and weighed 798.0 kg, which is the minimum weight required under TR Article 41. Following this, the car was drained of fuel and 2.8 litres of fuel were removed.
‘The car was not fully deflated according to the draining procedures submitted by the team in their legality documents, as TR Article 6.5.2 is fulfilled. The car was reweighed on the FIA indoor and outdoor scales and the weight was 796.5 kg. The calibration of the outdoor and indoor scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor.
‘This is 1.5 kg less than the minimum weight required in article 4.1 of the Tr, which must also be maintained at all times during the race. I am putting this matter to the race management for consideration.’
Britain’s George Russell appeared to have extended his victory at the Austrian GP earlier this season
George Russell started sixth on the grid and held off a late charge from team-mate Lewis Hamilton to secure his second winner’s trophy of the 2024 season.
But stewards found his winning Mercedes was 1.5 kilograms under the required weight
Russell’s Mercedes teammate and compatriot Lewis Hamilton now looks set to inherit the victory