The 2024 Belgian Grand Prix was a rollercoaster of emotions, drama, and surprises. From Mercedes’ unexpected win to Red Bull’s challenges, there was no shortage of excitement at Spa.
Despite early celebrations, George Russell faced heartbreak as his first-place finish was disqualified, costing Mercedes a 1-2 finish. Lewis Hamilton, however, clinched his 105th GP win. The main issue? Russell’s car was underweight due to tire mass loss during his one-stop strategy.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen couldn’t replicate his past heroics at Spa. Starting from a lower position, he only managed to climb to fourth after Russell’s disqualification. This highlights Red Bull’s struggles with the new dirty air factor and a shorter DRS zone.
Lando Norris had another tough start, losing momentum immediately after Turn 1. This has raised concerns within McLaren about his ability to maintain strong race starts. It’s a critical area for Norris to address if he aims to challenge for the title.
Williams is feeling optimistic about signing Carlos Sainz for 2025. Despite Alpine’s renewed interest and ongoing uncertainties with other teams, Sainz’s potential partnership with Alex Albon looks promising, according to team boss James Vowles.
Audi’s management shakeup has everyone talking. Mattia Binotto, ex-Ferrari team principal, is now leading the team, causing mixed reactions among drivers. Nico Hulkenberg is surprised but optimistic, while Valtteri Bottas sees this as a chance to renegotiate his contract.
Bruno Famin announced at Spa that he would step down as Alpine team principal. Speculation is rife that Hitech GP boss Oliver Oakes is set to take over. Famin will focus on Renault’s Viry-Chatillon engine division starting September 1.
Finally, Esteban Ocon confirmed his move to Haas for the 2025 season. Partnering with rookie Oliver Bearman, Ocon is excited about Haas’ clear plans and targets for improvement. His experience will be invaluable to the team.
In a weekend full of unexpected twists and turns, the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix has set the stage for an exciting end to the season. Each team has its own battles to fight, making the upcoming races even more thrilling.
