Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill shed light on the primary reason why George Russell’s car was found to be underweight at the Belgian Grand Prix. Due to this violation, Russell’s victory was nullified, despite his valiant efforts to maintain his position and finish first. As a result, Lewis Hamilton, who originally secured second place, was promoted to the top spot. Hill, an ex-F1 champion, identified two factors contributing to Russell’s disqualification.
Hill suggested a potential explanation for George Russell’s disqualification. He noted that the British driver made only one pit stop during the race, which meant that he used the same set of tires for an extended period of time. As the race progressed, the tires became worn out and thinner, resulting in a reduction in weight. Hill speculated that this decrease in tire weight could be one of the reasons for Russell’s disqualification.
Additionally, Hill proposed another factor behind Russell’s disqualification. He explained that typically, after a race, drivers have a cool-down lap during which they can collect bits of rubber from the track with their tires. This practice helps to increase the weight of the car, which is crucial to meet the minimum weight requirement. However, Russell did not take the opportunity to complete this extra lap, thereby missing the chance to add weight to his car. Consequently, Hill believed that this could be another reason why Russell was disqualified after making only one pit stop.
Several drivers commented on George Russell’s situation following the race, including Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari driver expressed sympathy for Russell, who was disqualified despite delivering an outstanding performance on the grid. Leclerc acknowledged the difficulty of celebrating his own podium finish while knowing that his colleague’s efforts went unrewarded. He emphasized that the issue with the car’s weight did not diminish Russell’s exceptional skill and ability, attributing his success to talent rather than luck.
Leclerc recognized that while the disqualification of Russell and Mercedes was understandable, it was still unfortunate. He praised Russell and his team for their excellent performance and expressed disappointment that their hard work was not recognized due to the disqualification. However, Leclerc also acknowledged that such situations are a normal part of racing and must be accepted. While he sympathized with his colleague, he understood that these issues are inherent in the sport.
Charles Leclerc admitted that he was not particularly pleased with securing third place as a result of George Russell’s disqualification from first place. He asserted that their victory was not solely due to luck, but rather a reflection of their team’s strength. Leclerc emphasized that Mercedes had put forth significant effort during the race, even though they did not receive any reward for it.
