George Russell disqualified from Belgian Grand Prix victory as Lewis Hamilton handed win after investigation
George Russell faces possible disqualification
GETTY
George Russell has been stripped of his victory at the Belgian Grand Prix after his car was found to be underweight after the race.
The 26-year-old pulled off an incredible one-stop strategy to beat Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri to the line in a dramatic race in Spa.
Russell didn't appear to be in contention to win the race at the halfway stage until every other driver went in the pits for their second stop.
The Mercedes star opted to stay out, meaning his tyres needed to last 34 laps with others catching him fast.
George Russell faces possible disqualification
GETTY
Hamilton looked on course to overtake his team-mate as he got within DRS range with a few laps remaining.
However, the seven-time world champion was unable to get close enough to make a move before time ran out.
Russell screamed in delight on team radio after securing his second win of the season while Hamilton cut an agitated figure.
However, Russell could now be sensationally disqualified from the race after his car was found to be 1.5kg underweight.
The issue was referred to the stewards where it was confirmed that Russell had been stripped of victory.
Hamilton appeared frustrated after the race that he wasn't put on a similar one-stop strategy to Russell for the race.
"Firstly, congrats to the team, congrats to George. This will be a huge plus for everyone back at the factory," he said.
"We didn’t expect this weekend to be where we are, especially after Friday, when we were a second off. Amazing work overnight on Friday night, and to get a one-two going into the summer break is pretty spectacular.
Lewis Hamilton could now be handed the victory
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"I wasn’t expecting us to be as strong as we were. It felt great to get in the lead.
"It was a bit of a shock at the end but we’ll take that in house and move forward. And we can all go away with our heads held high into the summer break and hopefully come back stronger into the second half.
"George wasn’t really in my race for most of it.
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Mercedes finished one-two
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"And so if the strategy had been right, he wouldn’t have been in my race.
"So we wouldn’t have been having that but it’s great that at the end we do have cars that are competing.
"It is what it is. I’ll move forward. I’ll go into my break and have a good time."
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