Belgian Grand Prix: George Russell Claims 'Awesome' One-Stop Win In Mercedes One-Two Triumph

George Russell claimed a memorable if unexpected victory ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in a thrilling finish to Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, having started sixth on the grid. The 26-year-old Briton came home 0.526 seconds ahead of the seven-time world champion, who controlled most of the race before being called in for a second stop, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri finishing third, just 1.173 seconds adrift of Russell.  Russell drove the 44-laps race with only one pit stop which led to him going 34 laps on his second set of tyres, a strategic decision taken during the contest enabling him to take the lead and an unexpected third career victory.  "Amazing, amazing result," shrieked Russell. 

"We definitely didn't predict this in our strategy meeting this morning but the car was awesome. We changed a lot on Friday night and the tyres felt great.

"I kept saying 'I think we can do the one-stop, I think we can do the one-stop' and the strategy was a really great job. 

"Well done to Lewis as he really controlled that race and if circumstances were slightly different, I'm sure he would have got the victory.

"One-two for the team was awesome and what a way to go to the break."

Russell's win also brought Mercedes a third win in four races following a poor run of results in the last two years.

"We had such a disaster on Friday when the car was nowhere," said Hamilton, who led for most of the race until Russell's strategy undercut the field. 

"We made some changes and it was difficult to know in the wet yesterday, but the car was fantastic. Congratulations to George and the team."

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who started on pole position, came home fourth ahead of three-time world champion and series leader Max