P1racenews AI automatic summary:
It may only have been 1.5 kilograms but every fraction of a second counts.
Mercedes has disclosed the repercussions of George Russell’s underweight W15 throughout the Belgian Grand Prix, where he executed a brilliant one-stop strategy at Spa-Francorchamps, clinching victory over 44 laps. However, Russell was later disqualified for being 1.5 kilograms underweight after fuel sample removal, with Lewis Hamilton inheriting the win. An internal investigation is underway at Mercedes to determine the cause, with findings suggesting Russell lost significant weight during the race. Despite Russell’s advantage due to weight loss, the impact on lap times is marginal as cars started at the same weight. The team faced mixed emotions as a potential one-two finish transformed into Russell’s disqualification, yet celebrating Hamilton’s 105th career win. Mercedes is encouraged by the overall performance despite setbacks, showcasing resilience and promising results, especially on a hot circuit like Spa. Shovlin praised the team’s achievement in adapting to challenges and delivering a strong race despite the disappointing outcome.
