Formula One is renowned for its high-octane action and razor-thin margins. This year's Belgian Grand Prix offered a masterclass in both, with Mercedes' George Russell finishing just 0.526 seconds ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton. However, the celebration was short-lived. Russell’s car was disqualified for being underweight, a setback that cost Mercedes a one-two finish.
Disqualification Due to Weight Regulations
The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) discovered that Russell's car weighed 796.5kg, falling under the mandatory 798kg minimum. The discrepancy was confirmed twice as the FIA measured the weight of the fuel drained from Russell’s car. "We have to take it on the chin," remarked Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, acknowledging the situation. Despite Russell’s commendable performance, Mercedes had no choice but to accept the disqualification.
Historical Perspective
This incident marks the first notable disqualification for an underweight car since 2006 when Robert Kubica's BMW was found to be 2kg under the regulatory limit following the Hungarian Grand Prix. Unlike Kubica's car, which sustained crash damage, Russell's Mercedes crossed the finish line intact.
Factors Contributing to the Underweight Issue
Russell drove from lap 10 to lap 44 on a hard compound tire, which may have contributed to the weight deficit. F1 tires weigh about 42kg when new but can shed up to 3kg during prolonged use. This, combined with the recent resurfacing of large sections in sectors one and three of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, posed additional challenges. Furthermore, rain during Saturday's final practice session left teams unable to evaluate performance under dry conditions, complicating Mercedes' strategic choices. "Amazing strategy, guys!" enthusiastically exclaimed Russell after the race, unaware of the looming disqualification.
Moreover, at Spa, drivers don't complete a cooldown lap after crossing the chequered flag, which in other races would have allowed them to pick up discarded rubber and debris, potentially adding up to 2kg in weight. "We expect that the loss of rubber from the one-stop was a contributing factor, and we'll work to understand how it happened," said Wolff.
Mercedes' Response and Future Plans
In the wake of the disqualification, Mercedes is undertaking a thorough investigation to prevent a repeat of such an issue. "We don't yet understand why the car was underweight following the race but will investigate thoroughly to find the explanation," stated Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes' engineering director. "We won't be making any excuses, though. It is clearly not good enough, and we need to make sure it doesn't happen again."
Despite the setback, George Russell remained optimistic, even taking to social media to express his disappointment succinctly with the word "Heartbreaking." His immediate post-race comment, "Amazing strategy, guys!" highlighted his appreciation for the team's efforts, albeit those efforts leading to a bittersweet outcome.
Reflections and Moving Forward
The Belgian Grand Prix's outcome is a stark reminder of the precision required in Formula One, where even the smallest miscalculations can lead to significant consequences. Mercedes, known for its scrutiny and adherence to details, will undoubtedly leave no stone unturned in understanding what went wrong. "We will go away, evaluate what happened and understand what went wrong. To lose a one-two is frustrating, and we can only apologize to George, who drove such a strong race," said Wolff.
The disqualification was a significant blow for Mercedes, not just in terms of championship points but also in morale. The team is now tasked with ensuring that every aspect of their operation meets the stringent requirements of Formula One racing. Russell's commendable performance serves as a motivating factor for the team to bounce back stronger in subsequent races.