Formula 1 in Belgium - Russell celebrates whisper victory in Verstappen damage limitation
George Russell sought refuge in the shadows after his bravery test at Mercedes' double victory in Spa-Francorchamps, with Formula-1 World Champion Max Verstappen unable to intervene and unwittingly extending his thirsty stretch.
Russell's third triumph in the Motorsport King's league saw Red Bull's star, Verstappen, miss the victory despite his relentless pursuit due to a penalty, finishing fifth for the fourth consecutive time. Verstappen, however, extended his World Championship lead over McLaren's Lando Norris to 78 points, as Norris finished right behind him.
Under unusual summer conditions in the Ardennes, Russell raced in the Mercedes with a 0.5-second lead over teammate Lewis Hamilton to the finish line. In contrast to his pursuers, Russell adopted a risky strategy with only one tire change. Norris' team rival Oscar Piastri finished third, who had celebrated his first victory a week earlier in Hungary.
"Reifenflüsterer" whispered to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff in the team radio after Russell's second season victory and the first double victory for the Silver Arrows since Brazil 2022. "Fantastic result. I definitely didn't predict this win in our strategy meeting this morning," said Russell, lifting his trophy triumphantly. "The car felt fantastic."
Verstappen was unable to fulfill his dream of a fourth consecutive Spa victory from 11th on the grid. His Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, who started from the front row for the first time since the China race in April, finished eighth and couldn't keep the audience engaged for long. "Not a top race, but a good race. We're not the fastest anymore," Verstappen said. He had "given it his all."
Red Bull Motorsport advisor Helmut Marko was somewhat disappointed but praised the Grand Prix winner: "That was incredible from Russell." For Nico Hulkenberg, there was nothing going on at this weekend. The Haas regular started 16th and finished the 14th season race in 19th place.
Red Bull's dominance is a thing of the past
The former Red Bull team, aware of their dominance with Sebastian Vettel, showed signs of it in qualifying. Verstappen demonstrated his class, distancing Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari as the first pursuer by 0.595 seconds. However, Verstappen used an illegal fifth engine of the year, resulting in a ten-place grid penalty. Leclerc was awarded the 25th pole position of his career.
"We were used to being the pace-setters, but it's different now," Marko admitted. The many construction sites off the asphalt, such as Verstappen's dramatic standoff against his team in Hungary, also contributed to Marko's assessment: "It's more Netflix-like around here these days."
The situation with Perez also played a role. Perez has had a strong start to the year but has been fading ever since. The 34-year-old Mexican faces the possibility of being let go during the Formula-1 holidays.
Verstappen's "race to damage limitation"
"Marko said on Sky TV: 'That's not enough'. We'll be together in England on Monday evening to analyze. According to Marko, Red Bull reserve drivers Liam Lawson (22), Daniel Ricciardo (35), and Yuki Tsunoda (24) are ready for Racing Point.
Perez had to give way to Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes after a tough fight right from the start. Verstappen was in eighth place at the beginning of the second lap, directly behind his championship rival Lando Norris. The McLaren driver had not gotten off to a good start again and drove over the track marking. Hamilton took the lead from Leclerc.
Verstappen was in a dilemma. The Dutchman wanted to put pressure on, but at the same time he couldn't wear out his tires. "It's going to be tough," said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner about the desired catch-up race for his star driver to a podium place. "I see it as a race for damage limitation," said Verstappen and pulled his pit stop forward, ending up in 14th place but getting stuck in traffic.
Russell goes for a bold strategy
The 26-year-old was continuing to make his way towards the top three. At the halfway point, Verstappen only had George Russell in the second Mercedes, McLaren driver Piastri, Leclerc, and the leading Hamilton ahead of him.
Leclerc opened the parade of leading drivers, who all put on the next set of hard tires during their second pit stop. Hamilton reacted shortly afterwards. At the front, his teammate Russell was driving with only one pit stop, pursuing a bold strategy. Hamilton came very close but couldn't get past."
- Helmut Marko praised George Russell's performance in the GP Belgium, stating, "That was incredible from Russell."
- The disk probe revealed that Red Bull's Max Verstappen used an illegal fifth engine, resulting in a ten-place grid penalty.
- Lando Norris, racing for McLaren, finished right behind Verstappen after the penalty, reducing the World Championship gap.
- George Russell adopted a risky tire strategy for the race in Belgium, with only one tire change, which proved successful.
- Hungary saw Oscar Piastri, Norris' team rival, celebrate his first victory, finishing third in the GP Belgium.
- Charles Leclerc started from pole position in Belgium, marking his 25th career pole position with Ferrari.
- Despite the penalty, Verstappen managed to extend his World Championship lead, currently standing at 78 points over Norris.
- The International Motorsport scene saw a competitive race in Belgium, with teams like Mercedes-Benz and Red Bull battling it out.
- Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton finished second in the GP Belgium, with teammate George Russell securing the first double victory for Mercedes since 2022.
- Sergio Perez struggled in Belgium, finishing eighth for Red Bull, and facing the possibility of being let go during the Formula-1 holidays.
