F1 2024 Belgian GP LIVE: Race result as George Russell fends off Lewis Hamilton for brilliant win at Spa
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.
Verstappen has been bumped down the order for taking on his fifth internal combustion engine of the season here, one more than the four he is allowed.
Follow live updates from the Belgian Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton after finishing second…
“We definitely didn’t expect it, congratulations to George and the team. We had a disaster on Friday, car was nowhere. But it was fantastic today.
“I was trying to get close to George, he did a great job going long on the tyres. Every stint I had tyres left but the team pulled me in. Unfortunate but it is what it is.
“If we can continue these types of performance, it will be fantastic. We’ve got to keep pushing.”
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 15:43
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Time for the podium!
Three in four wins for Mercedes! And the fourth time in a row (after British constructor McLaren last week) that the British national anthem is played on the F1 podium!
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 15:40
TOP-10 IN BELGIAN GRAND PRIX:
8. Sergio Perez (+fastest lap)
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 15:38
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Oscar Piastri after finishing third…
“I thought I could get the Mercedes. Clean air was such a big difference, I picked up a lot of pace, managed to get a nice tyre delta for the last stop – but clearly you just needed to keep going as George showed! We managed the race very well. Very happy with the result.
“Even Lewis didn’t quite have enough pace, it wasn’t quite enough.
“It’s been a really good couple of weeks, a lot of points, made inroads on Red Bull today, but everyone is looking forward to a break.”
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 15:35
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: George Russell…
“Amazing strategy, you guys are the best come on!
Wolff to Russell: “Tyre whisperer!”
That was Russell’s call to go for a one-stop strategy – and what a call it was!
Russell jumps into the arms of his Mercedes team in pure elation!
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 15:29
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: George Russell wins at Spa-Francorchamps!
What a stunning, stunning drive by George Russell! He holds off Lewis Hamilton by 0.5 seconds for a Mercedes one-two!
Oscar Piastri takes third place!
What a terrific race at under the Spa sunshine! Russell’s third F1 win – and definitely his best yet!
Top-10: Russell, Hamilton, Piastri, Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Sainz, Perez (fastest lap), Alonso, Ocon
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 15:26
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton is too far back! (Lap 44/44)
Hamilton just can’t get it done!
What a tactic this has been by George Russell to keep first place! Stunning!
He’s on the verge of another win here!
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 15:24
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: George Russell holds off Lewis Hamilton again (Lap 43/44)
Both Mercedes cars go deep at turn 1 and Hamilton isn’t close enough again as they go up the hill!
Just one-and-a-half laps left – and Piastri is just one second off Hamilton too!
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 15:22
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton backs out of a move! (Lap 42/44)
Hamilton has a look down the inside at the end of the Kemmel Straight – but doesn’t go for it!
Russell doing everything he can to hold off his team-mate!
But Oscar Piastri is catching Hamilton rapidly now, just two seconds behind!
Which way will this swing?!
Top-10: Russell, Hamilton, Piastri, Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Sainz, Perez, Alonso, Ocon
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 15:21
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Russell and Hamilton are allowed to race (Lap 40/44)
No team orders! Hamilton will have to get the move done on Russell..
Bono to Hamilton: “Just give each other plenty of space.”
Hamilton now within 0.5 seconds and has DRS and a tyre advantage.
Kieran Jackson28 July 2024 15:19
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