Russell’s automobile was weighed after the race and located to be on the minimal weight, 798kg, however after gasoline was drained from the Mercedes it was discovered to be 1.5kg underweight.

The matter was referred to the stewards, who decided Russell’s automobile be disqualified.

“Automotive 63 was weighed on the FIA inside and outdoors scales with each scales exhibiting the identical results of 796.5kg,” a stewards’ assertion mentioned. “The calibration of each scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor.

“Throughout the listening to the group consultant confirmed that the measurement is right and that every one required procedures have been carried out appropriately. The group additionally acknowledged that there have been no mitigating circumstances and that it was a real error by the group.

“The stewards decide that Article 4.1 of the FIA Components One Technical Rules has been breached and subsequently the usual penalty for such an infringement must be utilized.

“Rivals are reminded that they’ve the suitable to enchantment sure selections of the stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA Worldwide Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Guidelines, inside the relevant closing dates.”

Russell gained the race on a one-stop technique, that means he made a single set of tyres final 34 laps whereas others made an additional cease.

The bodily put on of the 4 tyres can account for the automobile’s general weight reduction over an extended stint, though groups normally issue that into their calculations earlier than the race.

One other issue distinctive to the Belgian Grand Prix is that the size of the Spa-Francorchamps lap means drivers don’t full a cool-down lap after the chequered lap and as an alternative flip into the pit lane exit instantly after Flip One.

The absence of a cool-down lap means drivers can not decide up discarded rubber on their tyres, which is commonplace process after a race to assist substitute any misplaced weight.

“Heartbreaking,” Russell mentioned in a put up on social media after the race. “We got here in 1.5kg underweight and have been disqualified from the race.

“We left all of it on the monitor immediately and I take pleasure in crossing the road first. There will likely be extra to come back.”

Talking earlier than the stewards’ choice, Wolff mentioned his group must settle for a disqualification if it occurs.

“You need to take it on the chin,” he mentioned. “If the stewards resolve in opposition to ourselves, it’s what it’s, a mistake has occurred, or may have occurred, and one-two would have been an important end result going into the summer time break. It would not go any higher.

“The constructive, the very constructive we are able to take from this race is we had two vehicles that have been the benchmark on this race, with two completely different methods. Who would have mentioned that a number of months in the past? That’s actually good to see.”

Requested if something was broken on Russell’s automobile, which could have contributed to it being underweight, Wolff added: No, I feel it is a one-stop that… you count on lack of rubber, possibly extra, however it’s no excuse.

“If, if the stewards deem it to be a breach of laws, then it’s what it’s, and we now have to study from that, and as a group, given there are extra positives to take, for George, however that is a large blow for a driver when his childhood dream is to profitable these races, then to be informed it is taken away, however he will win many extra.”