F1 Belgian GP LIVE: George Russell stripped of victory as car breaks rules

Russell has been disqualified from Sunday’s race with his car having failed a post-race check

Lando Norris reacts to dramatic end to Hungarian Grand Prix

George Russell was disqualified from Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix just hours after claiming a thrilling victory on track.

The 26-year-old opted for a bold race strategy, pitting only once for tyres, and it seemed to have paid off in brilliant fashion as he fended off a late challenge from Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to claim what he thought was his third win in Formula One.

However, in an initial post-race check, Russell’s Mercedes car was found to be 1.5 kg under the weight permitted in the regulations, following the obligatory drainage of fuel.

The matter was referred to the FIA stewards, who an hour later confirmed that Russell had been disqualified from the race classification. The driver himself, it has been reported, found out about the disqualification whilst on his way home to Monaco.

Follow live updates from the Belgian Grand Prix with The Independent

F1 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES

• BREAKING: George Russell disqualified from the Belgian Grand Prix
• Russell held off challenge from Lewis Hamilton but has been stripped of his win post-race
• Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reacts: ‘We have to take it on the chin'
• Lewis Hamilton hints at Mercedes error after initially missing out on win
• OVERTAKE! Lewis Hamilton takes first from Charles Leclerc (Lap 3/44)
• Max Verstappen quickest in qualifying but started P11 due to penalty
• PREVIEW: Lando Norris must start converting potential into race wins

[28 July 2024 11:10 · Kieran Jackson]

Start time for the Belgian Grand Prix:

All times BST

Sunday 21 July

• Race: 2pm

How can I watch it online and on TV?

The Belgian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom - and ESPN in the United States. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race starts at 12:30pm (BST).

You can watch highlights on free-to-air Channel 4 at 7:30pm (BST) on Saturday evening for qualifying and 6:30pm on Sunday evening for the race.

Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action at Spa-Francorchamps on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

[28 July 2024 11:08 · Kieran Jackson]

Formula One returns to one of the world’s most iconic race tracks this weekend as the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit hosts the Belgian Grand Prix.

Oscar Piastri claimed the first win of his F1 career last time out in Hungary as he took the chequered flag ahead of team-mate Lando Norris after the Brit eventually succumbed to McLaren’s team orders.

Lewis Hamilton finished on the podium in third while Max Verstappen endured a Sunday to forget as he argued with his race engineer and crashed into Hamilton late on, ultimately finishing fifth. Despite this, Verstappen still has a 76-point lead in the world championship to Norris in second with 11 races remaining.

The Red Bull driver looks set to take a 10-place grid penalty this Sunday due to taking a new engine, though he has won from down the grid in the last two years at Spa. It is also a big weekend for his team-mate Sergio Perez, with uncertainty surrounding his future at the team following a run of poor results.

(Getty Images)

[27 July 2024 16:59 · Kieran Jackson]

Charles Leclerc takes surprise pole position in Belgium after Max Verstappen penalty

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start from the front of the pack for Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix despite Max Verstappen taking a hugely impressive pole position at a rain-hit Spa-Francorchamps.

Verstappen reigned supreme throughout qualifying but the Dutchman’s 10-place grid penalty for an engine change means he will line up from only 11th on the grid.

His demotion elevates Leclerc to the sharp end with Sergio Perez second, one place ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Lando Norris will start fourth in his McLaren.

[27 July 2024 16:49 · Kieran Jackson]

Lando Norris after qualifying fifth-fastest, P4 on the grid:

[27 July 2024 16:06 · Kieran Jackson]

TOP-11 ON GRID AT SPA:

1. Charles Leclerc

2. Sergio Perez

3. Lewis Hamilton

4. Lando Norris

5. Oscar Piastri

6. George Russell

7. Carlos Sainz

8. Fernando Alonso

9. Esteban Ocon

10. Alex Albon

11. Max Verstappen*

*Verstappen takes a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his engine allocation

[27 July 2024 16:03 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen goes quickest in qualifying!

Max Verstappen the quickest man out there but with his 10-place grid drop he will start in 11th!

So who is on pole position?! It’s Charles Leclerc who produces a terrific lap to go P2 and take pole position!

3-10: Perez, Hamilton, Norris, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Alonso, Ocon

What happened to McLaren?! Only P5 for Norris, which will be P4 tomorrow!

[27 July 2024 15:56 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen on provisional pole

Some daylight for Max Verstappen, who is top of the timesheet by six-tenths!

And who’s in second? His Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez! What a lap from the Mexican!

Lewis Hamilton is in third, with Oscar Piastri fourth and George Russell fifth.

6-10: Norris, Sainz, Leclerc, Alonso, Ocon

And it looks like rain could be imminent - could that be that then?!

5:00 to go...

[27 July 2024 15:49 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Q3 underway!

Here we go then with the top-10 shootout!

10 drivers involved: Verstappen, Perez, Piastri, Norris, Hamilton, Russell, Leclerc, Sainz, Ocon, Alonso

Who will be on pole position at Spa?!

[27 July 2024 14:44 · Kieran Jackson]

Lando Norris suggests McLaren should consider making him undisputed number one

Lando Norris finished fastest in practice for the Belgian Grand Prix and said McLaren must consider making him their undisputed number one in order to deliver the British team’s first world title in 16 years.

Norris will be handed a golden opportunity to slash the 76-point championship deficit to Max Verstappen at Formula One’s concluding round before a four-week summer shutdown, with his rival to serve a 10-place grid sanction.

Verstappen’s Red Bull has been fitted with a fifth internal combustion engine, one more than the world champion is permitted, meaning the highest he can start will be 11th.

Full piece below:

[27 July 2024 14:30 · Kieran Jackson]

REMINDER: Max Verstappen to take a 10-place grid penalty

It’s been confirmed by Red Bull that Max Verstappen will take a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.

It comes after the Dutchman exceeded his engine allowance, with his car fitted with its fifth internal combustion unit of the season, one more permitted than the regulations.

It means an automatic 10-place grid drop following qualifying today. So pole position would actually only amount to 11th on the grid...

(Getty Images)