Russell vows 2024 Belgian GP disqualification will haunt him until his deathbed

George Russell says the memory of his 2024 Belgian Grand Prix disqualification will follow him to his “deathbed”, as the Mercedes driver returns to Spa-Francorchamps for the 10th round of the current Formula 1 season, scheduled for 17-19 July.

Russell crossed the line first at Spa two years ago, only to be stripped of the victory post-race after his Mercedes was found to be underweight. The win passed to his then team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who had finished second on the road.

Speaking on the Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show, Russell was asked whether the circuit “owes” him a victory. He dismissed the idea but was candid about the lasting impression the race left on him.

“No, I don’t feel like it owes me anything, to be honest,” Russell said. “Because that race still is a race that I’ll remember. And I’ll probably remember it more. The day I’m lying on my deathbed, I’ll probably remember that race because of what happened.”

Despite the bittersweet association with the track, Russell insisted there were no hard feelings. “It was a shame not to keep the trophy. But that was a great race. And it’s a track that I love,” he added.

He was, however, measured about Mercedes’ prospects at Spa this time around, flagging energy management and the circuit’s inherent difficulty as key concerns heading into the weekend.

Russell arrives at the Belgian Grand Prix sitting second in the drivers’ championship on 154 points, behind teenage team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who leads with 179 points. Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, is third on 147 points.