Mercedes F1 star in SURPRISE admission after racing disqualification

George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Hungary, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Mercedes star in SURPRISE admission after F1 disqualification

George Russell looks back at his 2024 season

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Monday 30 December 2024 10:57 Updated: 11:18

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Mercedes star George Russell has issued a surprise admission following a shock Formula 1 disqualification in 2024.

The British driver enjoyed two race victories this season, achieving one in Austria and the other in Las Vegas.

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However, Russell should have secured three wins in 2024 after he crossed the line first at the Belgian Grand Prix, but was promptly disqualified with his Mercedes found to be underweight after the race.

As a result of the post-race verdict, his team-mate Lewis Hamilton inherited the race victory, having previously finished the grand prix in second place.

The Mercedes star was disqualified at Spa this season by the FIA

Russell snubs career wins over Belgian GP

Despite losing the race victory, Russell has hailed the Belgian GP as his best drive of the season in a surprise admission.

The Mercedes star named his performance in Spa as a moment he will always be proud of, choosing the controversial grand prix over his dominant victory in Las Vegas.

“Spa was definitely the best drive without doubt,” Russell said to Motorsport.com.

“Because Vegas – probably those first 12 laps were probably the best 12 laps I've ever done in an F1 race and from there on in, it was effectively just bring the car home and don't grain the tyres and we'll win this race.

“But Belgium was a proper fight. It was a roll of the dice [on strategy].

“I knew I couldn't make a single mistake, especially when it came to those last two and three laps.

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George Russell has named the Belgian GP as his best performance

“Lewis was in DRS, I had to nail the first corner because the run was so long to Turn 5 and knowing you can't be too conservative because he's on fresh tyres and he will just breeze past, I can't lock up and make a mistake because he'll breeze past, and just knowing exactly how hard you can push.

“That was a drive I'll forever be proud of.”

Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Lando Norris George Russell Oscar Piastri