The 2024 Belgian Grand Prix was a race filled with mixed emotions and controversial outcomes. For Lewis Hamilton, what should have been a celebratory moment felt strangely hollow, while George Russell found himself in the center of a debate, still claiming the race as his own despite his disqualification.

For Lewis Hamilton, crossing the finish line first at Spa-Francorchamps usually brings a sense of achievement, but this time, it was different. The seven-time world champion admitted that the victory didn’t feel like a true win. The atmosphere was subdued, and the circumstances surrounding the race made it difficult for Hamilton to fully embrace the triumph.

“It just didn’t feel right,” Hamilton said in a post-race interview. “There’s always a sense of satisfaction when you win, but today, it’s hard to feel that. The race was chaotic, and with everything that happened, it doesn’t feel like a real victory.”

The chaos Hamilton referred to was largely due to the dramatic events involving George Russell. Russell had initially finished the race in a strong position, and for a brief moment, it seemed he might have secured the victory. However, a post-race disqualification due to a technical infringement shattered those hopes.

Despite the disqualification, Russell remained defiant, asserting that in his eyes, the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix was still his race. “I know what happened on the track, and I know how I performed,” Russell stated. “For me, that’s what counts. The disqualification doesn’t take away from the fact that I drove a great race and, in my mind, I won.”

Russell’s comments have sparked discussions among fans and pundits, with many debating the legitimacy of his claim. Some argue that rules are rules, and a disqualification is definitive, while others sympathize with Russell’s perspective, acknowledging the skill and effort he displayed during the race.

The 2024 Belgian Grand Prix will be remembered not just for its on-track drama but also for the contrasting emotions it evoked in two of Britain’s top drivers. For Hamilton, it was a victory tinged with disappointment, and for Russell, it was a race that, despite the official records, he will always consider his own.