George Russell heads to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend determined to erase the sting of last year’s Belgian Grand Prix disqualification. The Mercedes driver crossed the line first in 2024, only for his car to be found underweight, handing the win to teammate Lewis Hamilton in what became a bitter twist.
Now, with Hamilton at Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc, Russell teams up with rookie Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes. Speaking ahead of the 2025 race, Russell insists he still views that 2024 result as a personal triumph. “It was a victory in my eyes,” he said. “We nailed the strategy, and I drove flat out. The DSQ doesn’t change that.”
Russell’s focus is on redemption. Mercedes has shown pace this season, with upgrades boosting their challenge against Red Bull and McLaren. But Spa’s unpredictable weather and high-speed demands will test them. “I’m here to win properly this time,” Russell added. “No asterisks.”
The grid sees fresh faces too—Ollie Bearman at Haas, Jack Doohan with Alpine—adding layers to the midfield scrap. For Russell, though, it’s all about settling the score at a track that owes him one.
