Photo: Tyler Reddick to Use Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Gretzky Theme on NASCAR Car
Aug 26, 2024
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - AUGUST 23: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 MoneyLion Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 23, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Tyler Reddick is paying tribute to the "GOATs" in his latest car design.
The NASCAR driver will debut a new No. 45 Upper Deck Toyota Camry XSE in the 2024 Regular Season finale in Darlington S.C. The car features 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan as well as golf legend Tiger Woods and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky on the front hood.
The No. 45 Upper Deck Toyota Camry XSE will debut this weekend at Darlington, S.C., in the 2024 regular season finale. The scheme is fit for the current regular season points leader with 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan alongside Tiger Woods and Wayne Gretzky on the hood 🐐. pic.twitter.com/tuNLwe0FKz
Reddick drives for 23XI Racing, so the tribute to Jordan has extra meaning. Jordan played 1t years in the NBA, winning six NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls. He averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists while winning five MVP trophies.
He was the former governor of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets and became a co-owner of 23XI Racing in 2021.
Woods is tied for first all-time with 82 PGA Tour wins and also has won 15 major Championships. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021 and is an 11-time PGA Tour Player of the Year.
Gretzky is the NHL's all-time leader in goals (894) and points (2,857). He won 10 Art Ross Trophies, nine Hart Trophies and won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers.
Reddick is the No. 1 ranked driver for the 2024 NASCAR season and has won two races and accumulated 831 total points.
WEST ALLIS, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 25: Layne Riggs, driver of the #38 Zorn Compressor & Equipment Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series The Milwaukee Mile at The Milwaukee Mile on August 25, 2024 in West Allis, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Add Layne Riggs to the list of athletes who managed to hurt themselves mid-celebration.
The NASCAR Truck Series driver dislocated his shoulder after celebrating his first career victory on Sunday at The Milwaukee Mile, though his team was able to pop it back into place:
NASCAR Truck Series driver Layne Riggs celebrated his first career win a little too hard ... he dislocated his shoulder 😳
"I dislocated my shoulder I was celebrating so hard," Riggs said in his post-race interview. "It hurts like a mug but it's worth it; it's not the first time it's happened to me. It ain't gonna slow me down."
Another first-time winner this weekend!
Layne Riggs, son of Scott Riggs, got his first Truck Series win and celebrated a little too hard. 👀
Riggs, who is the son of former NASCAR driver Scott Riggs, overtook Ty Majeski with 53 laps to go and held on from there.
"I don't even know how to describe it," he told reporters after the race. "It's awesome. We've had a terrible year. It's been an awful year, but I've learned so much though in my rookie season. After the start, I thought there's no way we're going to get a win. We'll do the best we can and just learn for next year. But I knew in practice this thing [today] was awesome."
There was New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz, who tore his patellar tendon while celebrating Puerto Rico's win in the World Baseball Classic over the Dominican Republic back in 2023.
Or Kendrys Morales, who broke his leg after celebrating a walk-off grand slam in extra innings for the Los Angeles Angels back in 2010.
Former Washington Commanders quarterback Gus Frerotte sprained his neck back in 1997 after headbutting a padded wall in the end zone after scoring a touchdown.
And of course there's Bill Gramatica, the former Arizona Cardinals kicker who tore his ACL while celebrating a first-quarter field goal in the 2001 season.
There are many more than that in the Detrimental Celebration Club, so Riggs is at least in pretty good company.
Netherlands F1 Grand Prix 2024 Results: Lando Norris Tops Max Verstappen to Win Race
Aug 25, 2024
ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 25: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on August 25, 2024 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by James Sutton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Lando Norris cruised to victory in Sunday's Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort, earning his second checkered flag in Formula 1 for 2024.
Norris delivered the kind of performance fans have come to expect from Max Verstappen, finishing more than 20 seconds ahead of Verstappen. It was quite the emphatic statement on Verstappen's home track.
Charles Leclerc landed on the podium in third for the second straight race.
Norris blew past the rest of the field in qualifying with a fastest lap time of 1:09.673 to start from the pole. Verstappen overtook the British star early in the race and added to what has been a theme in the latter's case, but Norris reclaimed the lead by Lap 18.
LAP 18/72
Norris applies even more pressure and Verstappen has to yield
He briefly ceded first place again around the halfway mark after going in for a pit stop but reclaimed his spot atop the leaderboard after McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri made his own trip to pit road.
Once Norris was running from first this time, nobody could touch him.
Verstappen's showing was met with a mixture of surprise and anger on social media. It's not often he looks this far off the pace, which was a worrying sign for what's left of the campaign.
Norris is 16.790s clear of Verstappen. This is mostly just pace. How far have Red Bull fallen. But also, McLaren have done a spectacular job to build a car to catch and surpass the Red Bull on pace. #DutchGP#F1
Poor Max Verstappen that red bull runs perfect when he is winning, then when he gets challenged suddenly it's a Volvo sedan that he can't believe they've lumped him with. Weird that 😜 #f1netherlands
While the battle for the drivers' championship is much closer compared to last year, Verstappen maintains a sizable lead on Norris that will be tough to erase over the next few months. Granted, anything is possible if the Red Bull star continues to look this sluggish relative to his usual level.
Norris will hope he can narrow the gap a bit in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza Circuit on Sept. 1, though Verstappen is the two-time reigning champion in the event.
This time next week, order might be restored in F1.
Max Verstappen, Mercedes F1 Had Talks Ahead of Lewis Hamilton's Exit, Wolff Says
Aug 23, 2024
ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 23: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands in the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on August 23, 2024 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff confirmed he held talks with Max Verstappen this summer as Lewis Hamilton prepares to leave the team following the 2024 season, Jake Boxall-Legge and Ronald Vording reported for Motorsport.com.
"I thought all through the year that there was a window or that there was a possibility. It wasn't zero," Wolff said about the possibility of signing Verstappen, per Boxall-Legge and Vording.
Wolff continued: "What were the odds of of that happening? Maybe there were 10 to 1. Nine to one. Still, I didn't want to give up, but then we together came to the conclusion over the summer that we shouldn't be waiting for something to happen before committing for 2025, but let's just continue our job, Max at Red Bull and here at Mercedes taking our own driver decisions. And that was a kind of joint thought."
Hamilton, who signed with Mercedes in 2013, announced in February that he would be leaving for Ferrari after triggering a break clause in his contract.
Verstappen is currently signed with Red Bull through 2028, but reported tensions on the team led to rumors he might be considering leaving. In March Wolff said he would "love" for Verstappen to join Mercedes, per ESPN's Laurence Edmondson.
However, Verstappen has limited break clauses that would allow him get out of his contract. One closed when team director Helmut Marko committed to stay at Red Bull through 2026, Jonathan Noble previously reported for Motorsport.com.
Verstappen confirmed in June that he would be staying with Red Bull for 2025, but Wolff says he has not given up on eventually adding the three-time world champion to Mercedes' lineup.
"Somehow I have that feeling [that Mercedes and Verstappen's paths will cross]," Wolff said, per Boxall-Legge and Vording. "But I don't know when that could be. Whether it's '26, whether it's three years later, I don't know yet."
With Verstappen and Hamilton out of the picture, Mercedes could now turn to young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, whom Wolff previously referred to as the team's "first option" to replace Hamilton. Antonelli, who turns 18 on Sunday, is set to make his Mercedes F1 debut during the first free practice session at the Italian Grand Prix.
Austin Dillon's Appeal for Playoff Return Denied By NASCAR After Joey Logano Crash
Aug 21, 2024
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - AUGUST 11: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on August 11, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The National Motorsports Appeals Panel denied Austin Dillon's appeal to reinstate his automatic playoff berth on Wednesday, per Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, after NASCAR ruled that he violated the rules during his Cook Out 400 win by intentionally spinning out the pair of Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin
While NASCAR ruled that the win would stand, they decided to take away his automatic playoff berth after determining that a "'line' was crossed" in the final moments of the race.
Richard Childress Racing—which will still have one more opportunity to appeal on behalf of Dillon in front of the Final Appeals Officer, which it said it will do—released the following statement Wednesday:
Richard Childress Racing is disappointed in the results of today’s hearing in front of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel. We respect the NASCAR appeals process, but we do not believe that today’s outcome reflects the facts presented. We plan to appeal the decision to the…
Dillon said after the race he wasn't thrilled that he had to maneuver into Logano and Hamlin, but that "it's been two years and this is the first car I've had a shot to win," (h/t Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg).
"I felt like with two to go, we were the fastest car... I hate to do that but sometimes you just got to have it," he added. "I have to thank the good Lord above. It's been tough over the last two years, man. I care about [Richard Childress Racing], my wife, and this is my first... it means a lot. I hate it, but I had to do it."
Austin Dillon's team radio had said "I don't care how you do it" before he hit Joey Logano and then "Wreck him! Wreck him!" before Denny Hamlin.
"Pop Pop is proud of you," Richard Childress then said on the radio.
But NASCAR senior vice president of competition Elton Sawyer said those late-race tactics went against the spirit of the rules.
"I think in all due respect to the appeal process, we looked at this and the totality of everything that happened as you enter Turn 3 and as the cars got to the start/finish line," he noted. "So, as we look through all of that data, we came to the conclusion that a line had been crossed. Our sport has been based going for many, many years, forever, on good, hard racing. Contact has been acceptable. We felt like, in this case, that the line was crossed."
The three-member National Motorsports Appeals Panel agreed with that assessment.
"NASCAR represents elite motorsports and, as such, its drivers are expected to demonstrate exemplary conduct if its series' championships are to be validated," it noted in a statement. "In this case, the 'line' was crossed."
It's hard to imagine Logano or Hamlin will feel much sympathy for Dillon given their post-race comments:
Joey Logano had some words for Austin Dillon after being bumped and losing in the final lap 😳 pic.twitter.com/g4KTULkAFK
After not penalizing Austin Dillon for the move on the final lap, Denny Hamlin said NASCAR won't be taken seriously with officiating. pic.twitter.com/4SbjIrLTZq
Additionally, Dillon and his team were penalized in both the drivers' and owners' standings, losing 25 points, while the No. 3 team's spotter, Brandon Benesch, was suspended for three Cup Series races.
Scott Bloomquist, Dirt Track Racing Legend, Dies in Plane Crash at Age 60
Aug 16, 2024
2014 June 20 | Friday: Scott Bloomquist (0) Ford Mustang driver after qualifying races for the 16th Annual Grassy Smith Memorial 50-lap Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series event at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, South Carolina. (Photo by David Allio/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Legendary dirt-track racing icon Scott Bloomquist has died at the age of 60 after a small plane he was piloting crashed into a barn on his property in Mooresburg in Hawkins County, Tennessee.
Nick Gray of the Knoxville News Sentinel provided more information via the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office.
"The Hawkins County Sheriff's Office said a small plane crashed Friday morning into a barn on Brooks Road, near the Bloomquist family farm and the Scott Bloomquist Racing team shop in Mooresburg. The lone person on board was believed to be Bloomquist, 60, though the county forensics office will make the positive identification, the county sheriff's office said. The FAA investigation into the crash is ongoing."
Bloomquist earned 33 wins on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and then added 94 more victories on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. He is the 2004 World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion and took home the championship in 2009, 2010 and 2016 in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
Kickin' The Tires associate editor Seth Eggert added more of his accomplishments.
Scott Bloomquist had a legendary career
8-time Late Model Dirt Champion across 3 series 8-time Dirt Late Model Dream Winner 4-time World 100 Winner 4-time Blue-Gray 100 Winner 2002 National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame inductee
Needless to say, Bloomquist was a legend on and off the track, and there was an outpouring of remembrances about the larger-than-life figure upon news of his death, including thoughts from ex-NASCAR stars Clint Bowyer and Tony Stewart.
Sad to hear of the passing of Scott Bloomquist. The stories are endless! You simply couldn’t fit his life into just one movie, It’ll take a series! RIP #blacksunshine#noweaklinks #18 ☯️ pic.twitter.com/XcFgAP83gz
Scott Bloomquist was one of a kind, and he’s probably the smartest guy I’ve ever been around when it comes to dirt racing. What he could do behind the wheel of a racecar was matched by the ingenuity he put into building his racecars. He was a force on the track and off, with a… pic.twitter.com/97MLFLCksI
Don't ever take anything for granted. It all can be gone so fast. It’s a sad day in the racing community. Scott Bloomquist was an icon. He did what he wanted, said what he wanted, and won races. I'll forever cherish this moment with Mr. Black Sunshine. Rest easy, Outlaw. ☠️🌑🌞 pic.twitter.com/NwIs2yIB6C
Scott Bloomquist looked like Thor and Fabio mashed into one human. I once told him that and he responded, "Nah, I don't look like them. They look like me." Godspeed to a genuine first edition American bad ass. pic.twitter.com/RY72fuTfXs
Had the chance to visit Scott Bloomquist’s shop several years ago. The stuff hanging from the rafters told you all you needed to know. RIP to an absolute goddamn legend. pic.twitter.com/9zIP63BSnX
This is really sad news. I bet if you asked most American racing fans to name one dirt late model racer, the almost unanimous answer would be Scott Bloomquist. A true legend on the dirt. Godspeed, Racer. https://t.co/lhy7xiTolm
I hate this. My grandma was his biggest fan and her watching him race on speedvision was a big catalyst in getting me interested in motorsports as a child. Nobody wheeled a late model like Scott Bloomquist and Vergie Lou would cuss you out if you said different. https://t.co/nw1lEoiXt6
Just now waking up to the news about the passing of Scott Bloomquist. Man, what a constant of continued excellence over my entire life, and doing it unapologetically his way too. Bloomer was one of the all-time motorsports greats.
I hated to hear that Scott Bloomquist - @Bloomquist_0 - lost his life this morning. It's guys like him that helped to build the sport and the @WoOLateModels Series into what they've become today. Keeping his family, friends and fans in our prayers. RIP, Scott - DS https://t.co/DIbNgLEdwY
RIP Scott Bloomquist. This was a couple weeks ago and Cedar Lake. My son says hey dad look it’s Black sunshine can I get a pic with him. I said we can ask him. So he did and Scott said “Absolutely” pic.twitter.com/hsRVi3OK7m
Aspiring basketball players want to be like LeBron or MJ when they grow up. Aspiring dirt track racers want to be like Scott Bloomquist. Massive loss for the racing world. Race on, Black Sunshine 0️⃣👽☯️ https://t.co/8Sw3gDlIbD
— C. Ward’s Mentor (FKA M. Willis & W. Levis Mentor) (@blenny10) August 16, 2024
One of the greatest to ever do it on dirt. Absolute legend of a man.
— Opinions on NASCAR (William Richard) (@nascar_opinion) August 16, 2024
Per Speed Sport, Bloomquist finished his 40-year career with over 600 victories.
Austin Dillon's Richmond Win Won't Count for NASCAR Playoff Berth After Logano Crash
Aug 14, 2024
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - AUGUST 11: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag under caution to win the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on August 11, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Logan Whitton/Getty Images)
NASCAR has taken away Austin Dillon's automatic playoff berth following his win at Richmond on Sunday after deeming that he violated NASAR rules during the Cook Out 400, which saw the No. 3 car intentionally spin out Joey Logano and then Denny Hamlin into the wall before crossing the finish line.
NASCAR.com content manager Zack Albert relayed the news from NASCAR officials on Wednesday.
"After a full review of footage and data, NASCAR officials ruled Dillon's victory would stand, but that his automatic berth in the 16-driver postseason field would be voided for violating Section 12.3.2.1.b of the NASCAR Rule Book, which deals with playoff eligibility and states: 'Race finishes must be unencumbered by violation(s) of the NASCAR Rules or other action(s) detrimental to stock car auto racing or NASCAR as determined in the sole discretion of NASCAR.'"
NASCAR senior vice president of competition Elton Sawyer provided more insight into the decision.
"I think in all due respect to the appeal process, we looked at this and the totality of everything that happened as you enter Turn 3 and as the cars got to the start/finish line," Sawyer said.
"So, as we look through all of that data, we came to the conclusion that a line had been crossed. Our sport has been based going for many, many years, forever, on good, hard racing. Contact has been acceptable. We felt like, in this case, that the line was crossed."
In addition, the No. 3 team's spotter, Brandon Benesch, has been suspended for three Cup Series races. Per Albert, Benesch told Dillon to "wreck" then-leader Hamlin down the stretch, which the No. 3 car did to earn the win.
Dillon entered Sunday 32nd in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with four races to go before the 16-team playoffs, so he needed a win, which would grant him a coveted automatic playoff berth.
And in the closing stretch, he decided to do whatever it took.
"I don't know man, it's been two years and this is the first car I've had a shot to win," Dillon said on NBC post-race (h/t Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg). "I felt like with two to go, we were the fastest car ... I hate to do that but sometimes you just got to have it. I have to thank the good Lord above. It's been tough over the last two years, man. I care about [Richard Childress Racing], my wife, and this is my first ... it means a lot. I hate it, but I had to do it."
Dillon drivers for Richard Childress Racing, run by his grandfather, Richard Childress. It's clear the team was on the same page with Dillon's actions.
Austin Dillon's team radio had said "I don't care how you do it" before he hit Joey Logano and then "Wreck him! Wreck him!" before Denny Hamlin.
"Pop Pop is proud of you," Richard Childress then said on the radio.
But NASCAR has ultimately decreed that Dillon's actions shall cost him a playoff spot.
Logano was clearly infuriated post-race, as evidenced by his comments to NBC.
"Obviously he didn't make the turn because he hit me and the [Denny Hamlin] was going to win the race," Logano said. "...I've beaten him fair and square in the restart and he just pulls a chicken s--t move. He's a piece of crap. He sucks. He's sucked his whole career. And now he's going to be in the playoff. Good for him, I guess."
“He’s a piece of crap. He sucks. He’s sucked his whole career,”
Logano later spun out his tires near Dillon's pit crew in very close proximity to people standing on pit road. NASCAR deemed it a violation of its Member Code of Conduct and fined him $50,000. Jackson Didlake of the Richmond Times-Dispatch provided video.
Dillon can still qualify for the playoffs but now needs a win in one of the regular season's final three races, which will take place in Michigan, Daytona Beach and Darlington. He is currently 31st in the standings.
Logano has already qualified for the playoffs by virtue of his win at the Ally 400 in Nashville Superspeedway. Hamlin, who has three wins and sits fourth in the standings, has as well.
The Cup Series now moves to the Michigan International Speedway on Sunday for the FireKeepers Casino 400.
Video: Joey Logano Rips 'Piece of Crap' Austin Dillon After NASCAR at Richmond Crash
Aug 12, 2024
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - AUGUST 11: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, reacts after the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on August 11, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Joey Logano didn't hold back any of his thoughts about Austin Dillon after a collision on the final lap at Richmond on Sunday.
"Obviously he didn't make the turn because he hit me and the [Denny Hamlin] was going to win the race," Logano said. "...I've beaten him fair and square in the restart and he just pulls a chicken s--t move. He's a piece of crap. He sucks. He's sucked his whole career. And now he's going to be in the playoff. Good for him, I guess."
“He’s a piece of crap. He sucks. He’s sucked his whole career,”
Logano was coming around the final turn and had a car-length lead on Dillon, but Dillon bumped his car and forced him to spin out. Dillon then took out Denny Hamlin to win the race.
After the race, Dillon admitted that he acted out of desperation to keep his playoff hopes alive on Sunday.
"I don't know man, it's been two years and this is the first car I've had a shot to win," Dillon said on NBC (h/t Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg). "I felt like with two to go, we were the fastest car ... I hate to do that but sometimes you just got to have it. I have to thank the good Lord above. It's been tough over the last two years, man. I care about [Richard Childress Racing], my wife, and this is my first ... it means a lot. I hate it, but I had to do it."
Dillon's team even encouraged him to take the drastic lengths to achieve the win, per The Athletic's Jeff Gluck. The 34-year-old driver is the grandson of Richard Childress, owner of Richard Childress Racing.
Austin Dillon's team radio had said "I don't care how you do it" before he hit Joey Logano and then "Wreck him! Wreck him!" before Denny Hamlin.
"Pop Pop is proud of you," Richard Childress then said on the radio.
Dillon will now be included in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff despite entering Sunday's race ranked 32nd in the points standings. He's one of 13 drivers to have secured a win this season and no longer has to worry about being in the top 30 in the standings, as NASCAR removed that rule ahead of the 2024 season.
While Dillon has a coveted playoff spot after Sunday's win, how he earned it will remain controversial, especially for Logano and Hamlin.
Belgian F1 GP 2024 Results: George Russell DQ'd, Lewis Hamilton Wins; Verstappen 5th
Jul 28, 2024
TOPSHOT - Mercedes' British driver George Russell during a practice session ahead of the F1 race during the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in Spa on July 27, 2024. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)
George Russell's second win of the Formula One campaign was wiped from the record books due to an underweight car.
His disqualification moved Russell's Mercedes teammate, Lewis Hamilton, up from second to first, handing Hamilton his 105th Formula One win all time. Oscar Piastri went from third to second, while Charles Leclerc earned a spot on the podium.
Russell held off Hamilton in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps to claim the checkered flag. However, the FIA said 2.8 liters of fuel had been improperly drained from Russell's car after he had originally hit the minimum weight limit.
Document just issued by the FIA which could have serious implications for Mercedes and George Russell - DSQ if found guilty pic.twitter.com/F8ynCekdn6
Formula One said Russell was therefore disqualified.
"During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly," an F1 statement said. "The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.
"The stewards determine that Article 4.1 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty for such an infringement needs to be applied."
Mercedes addressed Russell's infraction and said they had to take it "on the chin."
"We have clearly made a mistake and need to ensure we learn from it," the team said.
Unfortunately George has been disqualified for his car being below the minimum required weight. Here’s Toto’s reaction. pic.twitter.com/a3qJLyrwr8
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) July 28, 2024
Hamilton's win means the day wasn't all bad for Mercedes.
He led the field a little past the halfway mark before coming in to pit. That allowed Piastri to jump out in front, but the Australian lost valuable ground when he pitted on Lap 31.
When the dust settled, Russell and Hamilton were running in first and second, which set the stage for a dramatic fight to the finish for the two Mercedes drivers.
Russell's one-stop strategy raised the stakes because the longer the race went on, the more he was at risk of watching Hamilton or Piastri overtake him. The gambit could've backfired in a big way, and the result might've been different if the Belgian Grand Prix extended to 45 or 46 laps, such was the ground Piastri gained on Russell and Hamilton.
Instead, Mercedes seemingly played the race perfectly, and Russell expertly managed his car while defending against Hamilton.
George Russell that is outstanding.
Control your own race, win it on a one stop.
Mercedes showing us what racing is, fantastic last few laps. #BelgianGP
All of that will be overshadowed by what transpired when the race ended, though.
Max Verstappen entered with a comfortable lead over Lando Norris in the driver standings, but he hasn't been anywhere near as dominant on the track as he was in 2023. His season took another somewhat unexpected turn Friday when he received a 10-place grid penalty after using his fifth different engine.
As a result, Verstappen started from 11th and was already playing down the likelihood of a win after qualifying concluded.
"I mean I'm of course not as confident as I was the last two years around here in coming back to the front," he said Saturday. "I still see more as like a damage limitation race. That's how it is but at least today was the best possible we could do in terms of the starting position for tomorrow."
Verstappen managed to move up the leaderboard but couldn't muster a sustained challenge on the race leaders en route to a fourth-place showing.
The Formula One season goes on a nearly monthlong break before the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Aug. 25. Verstappen is the three-time reigning champion in the event and will enter as the favorite barring another setback in qualifying.
The way Hamilton is racing makes him a formidable challenger.
