Disqualification throws Grand Prix result in Belgium into disarray

The race at the Belgian Grand Prix might have ended with the checkered flag, but its repercussions will linger well into Formula 1's summer break. Mercedes initially celebrated a remarkable one-two finish as George Russell and Lewis Hamilton crossed the finish line. However, during the post-race technical inspection, it was found that Russell's car was underweight, leading to his immediate disqualification. As a result, the remaining drivers moved up in the standings, with Hamilton being declared the winner, Charles Leclerc securing third place, and Daniel Ricciardo breaking into the points. For Sergio Pérez, who started from second position, the race ended rather anticlimactically with a place in the lower half of the top 10. This could have significant consequences, as Red Bull plans to review their driver line-up during the summer break. While Red Bull and Max Verstappen continue to lead both championships, the gap is narrowing as the competition makes advancements in car design. Russell's disqualification was particularly noteworthy because Mercedes was testing an updated floor package for this race, which was quickly reverted to an older specification—a decision that ultimately proved detrimental. Hamilton remarked that the car felt noticeably better on Sunday compared to Friday: "It was literally a night and day difference. Friday was disastrous, but today the car came alive." His traditional two-stop strategy paid off, while Russell opted for a bold one-stop strategy, which eventually led to his disqualification. Oscar Piastri from McLaren was able to enjoy an after-the-fact second place, once again demonstrating the team's potential to consistently land on the podium. Had Piastri not been stuck behind Leclerc, he might have even secured the victory. Verstappen, who started from 11th due to a grid penalty, impressively fought his way up to finish in 4th place. Although he didn't dominate the race, his performance further solidified his position in the driver standings. Ferrari left Spa with mixed feelings: Leclerc started from pole position, but the race lacked speed. Nevertheless, after Russell's disqualification, the team secured third and sixth places. Rumors about potential driver changes at Red Bull continue to swirl, particularly concerning Pérez, whose recent performances have been less than stellar. Ricciardo, demonstrating a consistent upward trend, could be a serious contender for Pérez’s seat. As the first half of the season concluded, it became clear that both the driver and constructor championships are still wide open. The upcoming races after the summer break promise exciting developments in the battle for the top.