For George Russell, the elation of a dominant victory in F1 can be surpassed by the grit of a hard-fought battle, even one ultimately lost off the track.
This was evident in the Mercedes driver’s surprising choice of his most prized performance of the 2024 season – not the seemingly effortless win in Las Vegas, but his controversial disqualification from the Belgian Grand Prix.
At Spa, Russell was thrown out of the event’s classification after post-race scrutineering revealed that his car was 1.5kg under the minimum weight limit.
Regardless, the Mercedes charger’s performance in the Ardennes was nothing short of remarkable, and a masterclass in strategy and nerve.
A bold mid-race decision to switch to a one-stop strategy catapulted him into the lead, leapfrogging his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton, who had been leading on a conventional two-stop approach.
The true test, however, came in the closing laps of the race. Hamilton, along with McLaren's Oscar Piastri, clawed their way back, putting immense pressure on Russell.
Here, under the intense scrutiny of a championship fight, the Briton delivered a performance he himself deemed unforgettable.
"Spa was definitely the best drive without doubt," Russell told Motorsport.com.
Las Vegas, with its commanding win from pole position, might seem like the obvious choice on paper.
But for Russell, the strategic gamble, the relentless pressure, and the sheer mental fortitude required at Spa elevated it to a different level.
“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].”
Indeed, Russell’s one-stop gamble meant there was no margin for error. Every corner, every braking point, was a tightrope walk.
“I knew I couldn't make a single mistake, especially when it came to those last two and three laps,” he explained, detailing the immense pressure he faced.
He had to be aggressive enough to fend off Hamilton's DRS advantage but also cautious enough to avoid a costly mistake.
“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.”
While the disqualification robbed Russell of the official victory, the memory of that fight, that dance on the edge, will undoubtedly stay with him as a testament to his exceptional racing ability.
Spa, though bittersweet, became a defining moment in Russell's season, showcasing his strategic prowess and unwavering determination under pressure.
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