Mercedes secured a 1-2 finish at the Belgian Grand Prix but Hamilton was not entirely happy with how things panned out at Spa.
By JOE KRISHNAN
16:08, Sun, Jul 28, 2024 | UPDATED: 16:23, Sun, Jul 28, 2024
Comment section
CONTINUE READING
F1 Belgian Grand Prix 2024
Lewis Hamilton was denied victory by his team-mate George Russell (Image: Getty)
Lewis Hamilton commended George Russell for keeping him behind at the Belgian Grand Prix – and then fired a thinly-veiled jab at Mercedes for handing his team-mate victory at Spa.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hamilton had led for the majority of the 44-lap race out front and looked to be heading towards a second victory in three races when he closed up to Russell – who was on a one-stop strategy – towards the end.
But the 26-year-old somehow managed to preserve some grip to defend against Hamilton, despite being on the same set of hard tyres for 34 laps, and nursed his Mercedes W15 over the line to take his third career victory.
RELATED ARTICLES
George Russell holds off Hamilton for Mercedes 1-2 in emphatic Belgian GP win
Lewis Hamilton shows true colours immediately after Belgian GP loss to Russell
George Russell finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton after perfecting a one-stop strategy (Image: Getty)
Hamilton was full of praise for his fellow Briton, but appeared to take aim at Mercedes’ strategy after suggesting he could have extended both stints before his pit stops.
“I was trying to get close to him but George did a great job on going long on the tyres,” Hamilton told F1 TV after the race. “Every stint, I had tyres left. It’s unfortunate but it is what it is.”
For Mercedes to be back on the top of the podium at Spa, when neither driver was in the top eight in free practice on Friday, marked a huge turnaround.
READ MORE Hamilton’s likely Mercedes replacement has jaw-dropping talent Brit can’t match [LATEST]
Stay up-to-date with the latest F1 news
Join us on WhatsApp
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Daily Express – Express F1 newsletter
Enter your email address here
SUBSCRIBE
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Hamilton also started third only after Max Verstappen’s penalty was applied, while Russell was sixth on the grid. Mercedes chief Toto Wolff said he expected a “best case podium” before the race and Hamilton, 39, echoed the Austrian’s comments by admitting he didn’t expect a 1-2 finish.
“We didn’t expect this. First, I have to say congrats to George and the team. The car was nowhere on Friday,” Hamilton added.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We made some changes, it was hard to see what it would feel like but the car was fantastic today.”
George Russell consoles Lewis Hamilton after the Belgian GP (Image: Getty)
The Austrian also explained why the team kept Russell on a one-stop and pitted Hamilton twice, despite him being in the lead.
“I’d like to have two winners today but we had to cover [Charles] Leclerc and [Lando] Norris, because we would have been undercut, and that was the call,” Wolff said.
“George had nothing to lose. We were P5, the one-stop and the two-stop were showing P5 [on their strategy planner], so we kept him out.”
The result means Hamilton is now sixth in the drivers’ standings on 143 points, just two clear of Russell, after the pair gazumped Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in Belgium.
RELATED ARTICLES
Max Verstappen singles out Red Bull mechanics after breaking Belgian GP curfew
Lewis Hamilton puts Max Verstappen on notice with five-word Belgian GP warning
F1 team discover driver is joining rival after checking tracker in company car
George Russell given new nickname by Toto Wolff after beating Lewis Hamilton at Belgian GP
George Russell in disagreement with Oscar Piastri after tense battle at Belgian GP
Lewis Hamilton shows true colours immediately after losing to George Russell at Belgian GP
George Russell holds off Lewis Hamilton for Mercedes 1-2 in emphatic Belgian GP victory
Toto Wolff names ‘first option’ to replace Lewis Hamilton but outlines two issues
F1 team discover driver is joining rival after checking tracker in company car
Lando Norris in firing line as F1 legend offers thoughts on Lewis Hamilton comments
Lewis Hamilton puts Max Verstappen on notice with five-word Belgian Grand Prix warning
Max Verstappen summoned to stewards immediately after Belgian GP pole was taken away
Belgian Grand Prix qualifying results as Red Bull left red-faced by Max Verstappen on pole
Max Verstappen singles out Red Bull mechanics after breaking Belgian Grand Prix curfew
HOROSCOPESAPPSWEATHERPAPER
HOME
NEWS
SHOWBIZ & TV
SPORT
COMMENT
FINANCE
TRAVEL
ENTERTAINMENT
LIFE & STYLE
TODAY’S PAPER
Sunday, 28th July 2024
See today’s front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.
CONNECT WITH US
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Snapchat
Check our YouTube channel
Subscribe to our rss feed
Play Express Wins Apps
Horoscopes Puzzles
Shop Discount codes
Partner Stories Hopsmore Beer Club
Beauty Box Subscription
Sitemap Site Archive
About Us Social Media
Journalists How to Complain
Report A Tech Issue Advertising
Affiliate advertising Cookie Policy
Cookies Settings Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy Community Standards
AI Notice Syndication and Licensing
Clarifications and Corrections InYourArea
Developed by Netro42 myne
wsassistant
IPSO RegulatedCopyright ©2024 Express Newspapers. “Daily Express” is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.
