Mercedes' double triumph in Belgium, Russell celebrated ahead of Hamilton

(Patria) - Mercedes driver George Russell celebrated today at the Belgian Grand Prix, the 14th race of the Formula 1 season, followed by a summer break, writes Sportklub.

The Briton on the "Spa-Francorchamps" track achieved his second victory of the season, and third of his career, in a direct duel with teammate Lewis Hamilton, after spending 34 out of 44 laps on hard tires.

The two were separated by half a second at the end, and the seven-time world champion reached his 201st career podium.

Oscar Piastri in the McLaren took the third step of the podium, while the current champion Max Verstappen finished fifth.

Russell may have driven the race of his career in Spa, as Mercedes opted for different strategies for its drivers, which led to their double triumph.

For most of the race, it seemed that Hamilton was on his way to victory, as he overtook Sergio Perez in the Red Bull car at the start, and shortly after, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who started from pole position.

The seven-time world champion had a two-stop strategy, which worked brilliantly, as he was behind his teammate when everyone except Russell had changed tires.

About ten laps before the end, it became clear that Russell would stay on the track until the end; at that moment, Hamilton was seven seconds behind, and he gradually reduced that gap.

Before the grand finale, the seven-time world champion was less than a second behind his teammate, but he made mistakes in his attempts to attack, which cost him the victory.

In the very finish, Piastri also closed in on the Mercedes duo, as he had a great pace when it mattered most, which is reflected in his overtaking of Leclerc for the podium, but he didn't have a chance to threaten the Britons.

Leclerc was the best of the rest in the end, seven and a half seconds behind Piastri, and seven tenths ahead of Verstappen, followed by Lando Norris in the other McLaren and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz.

Interestingly, the Spaniard was leading when everyone except him went for a tire change; it seemed he had a one-stop strategy, however, Ferrari eventually called him in twice in eight laps?!

Perez finished eighth, and it remains to be seen if that was enough for him to keep his place at Red Bull, while Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon completed the points scorers.