The 2024 Belgium F1 Grand Prix: A race for the ages

The 2024 Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix, which took place on Sunday, July 28, was one of the most exciting races of the year.

The Spa race featured many unexpected twists, including a rare disqualification of the winner — an occurrence not seen since 1994.

During the highly competitive qualifying sessions, several drivers vied for pole position. George Russell, driving for Mercedes, initially emerged victorious in the main race at Spa with a strategic one-stop approach. However, post-race scrutiny revealed that Russell’s car was 1.5 kg underweight, leading to his disqualification.

This disqualification was a historic moment, making Russell the first F1 race winner to be disqualified since 1994. As a result, second-placed Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton was promoted to first place, securing his 105th F1 Grand Prix win. Despite utilising a two-stop strategy, Hamilton showcased exceptional speed on the Spa track, a surprising turn given Mercedes’ early-week performance struggles.

Hamilton’s success brought joy to his supporters, with bets on his podium finish paying off at +200. He was also backed at +900 to win the Belgium GP post-qualification.

The race strategy saw Russell behind the decision to opt for a one-stop approach when Hamilton pitted on lap 26. Russell’s impressive 34-lap run on hard compound tires earned him the nickname “tire whisperer” from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. In the final laps, Russell managed to fend off Hamilton, securing what seemed like a one-two finish for Mercedes before his disqualification.

In early F1 betting markets, Russell had been a long shot at +1500 with online sportsbooks, to win the Spa GP, a prediction that nearly paid off for those who backed him.

Charles Leclerc, who started from pole position, was dissatisfied with Ferrari’s performance and admitted after the race that they were only the fourth fastest car on the track, far behind the Mercedes duo’s pace.

2024 Belgium F1 GP Spa Report Card

• Lewis Hamilton
  Hamilton’s electric start saw him overtake Sergio Perez at turn one, setting the stage for the rest of his race. Even before Russell’s disqualification, Hamilton’s performance was worthy of victory.
• Oscar Piastri
  The recent debut winner delivered another strong performance, finishing officially in second place. Piastri’s pace throughout the weekend culminated in a well-deserved podium finish.
• Max Verstappen
  Starting from P11 due to a grid penalty, Verstappen hoped for a repeat of his 2023 comeback. Despite early setbacks, he managed to finish in fourth, showcasing his resilience.
• Sergio Perez
  Perez’s promising qualifying performance did not translate to race day success. Dropping from P2 to P7, Perez’s lack of pace could impact his future with Red Bull Racing.
• Lando Norris
  An early error at the first turn ruined Norris’s race, costing him positions, making it difficult for him to catch up, and ultimately placing him in fifth place.
• Aston Martin
  Aston Martin continued their underwhelming season, with only Fernando Alonso managing to secure points while Lance Stroll struggled.
• George Russell
  Despite his disqualification, Russell’s strategic decision to continue on hard tires and his subsequent performance were remarkable. His brief victory highlighted his racing acumen and potential.

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