BREAKING: George Russell stripped off his Belgian Grand Prix victory

In a dramatic turn of events, George Russell's impressive win at the Belgian Grand Prix has been stripped off. This development emerged following the post-race scrutineering, where the FIA discovered discrepancies in the weight of Russell's car, raising questions about the legitimacy of his victory.

Russell, who secured a surprising win at Spa with a one-stop strategy, finished ahead of his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton. However, during the routine post-race inspection, the FIA found that Russell's car, the W15, initially met the required weight of 798.0 kg. The standard procedure of draining fuel from the car was followed, with 2.8 litres being removed.

Trouble arose when the car was weighed again after the fuel drainage, and it was found to be 796.5 kg, which is 1.5 kg under the minimum weight requirement. This deviation was noted and confirmed by Mercedes representatives present during the weighing process.

The regulations are clear on the consequences of a car being underweight: it typically results in disqualification. Russell's case has been referred to the race stewards, and if the findings are upheld, his victory at Spa could be annulled.

A strategic blunder from George Russell

The potential disqualification is a significant setback for Russell and Mercedes, especially considering the challenging season they've had. Russell's win at the Belgian Grand Prix was a much-needed morale boost and a testament to the team's strategic brilliance. However, the looming threat of disqualification casts a shadow over what was a momentous achievement.

This incident underscores the rigorous standards and stringent checks that govern Formula 1, ensuring that all teams adhere to the technical regulations. The precise procedures for weighing and fuel drainage are in place to maintain fairness and competitive integrity.