George Russell clinched a stunning victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, fending off fierce challenges from teammate Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. In the post-race press conference, the Mercedes duo reflected on their one-two finish, while Verstappen shared his frustrations after settling for third.
Russell, starting from pole, described the race as a tactical battle against tire wear and unpredictable weather at Spa-Francorchamps. “We pushed hard from the start, but managing the soft tires in those early laps was key,” he said. “Seeing Lewis closing in towards the end made it intense, but the car felt solid.” This marks Russell’s third win of the 2025 season, boosting Mercedes’ constructors’ lead.
Hamilton, who charged from sixth on the grid, praised the team’s strategy. “Overtaking in the wet patches was tricky, but our pit stops were spot on,” he noted. “George drove brilliantly; it’s great to share the podium with him again.” The seven-time champion now sits second in the drivers’ standings, trailing Verstappen by 12 points.
Verstappen, hampered by a poor qualifying, admitted Red Bull’s pace wasn’t enough. “We struggled with balance all weekend,” he explained. “Third is damage limitation, but we need fixes before Monza.” The Dutch driver leads the championship, but his gap has narrowed after recent Mercedes surges.
The trio discussed the evolving 2025 regulations, with Russell highlighting how engine tweaks have leveled the field. Hamilton added that Ferrari’s absence from the top spots—Charles Leclerc finished fifth—shows the season’s competitiveness. Verstappen urged his team to analyze data quickly for the Italian Grand Prix in two weeks.
