Ex-F1 driver insists “only right” for Lewis Hamilton to get Belgian GP credit despite George Russell’s performance 

Jolyon Palmer believed that both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were deserving of credits for the Belgian GP antics.

Ex-F1 driver insists “only right” for Lewis Hamilton to get Belgian GP credit despite George Russell’s performance 

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton (images via IMAGO)

Mercedes has deemed their great comeback in performance mid-way through the 2024 season. The team has already scored three race wins amidst McLaren’s dominant pace. However, the Belgian GP was nothing short of a nightmare for George Russell due to his post-race DSQ. Hence, Ex-F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has voiced his opinions over the debate of Lewis Hamilton getting more credits than Russell.

George Russell changed strategy mid-race and decided to go ahead with a one-stop strategy. This meant that the Briton had to drag the Hards compound for over 34 laps. Regardless, the 26-year-old successfully fended off Lewis Hamilton behind him who was extremely disappointed from this. However, Russell’s W15 was found to be underweight, which resulted in post-race disqualification.

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This enabled Hamilton to be promoted to winner and score his 105th race victory. Jolyon Palmer reckoned that Russell was rightly receiving applause for the performance due to the superb drive. However, even the 39-year-old was deserving of ‘immense’ credits as well because of the ‘top tier’ performance.

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Russell rightly got the plaudits for a superb drive, soured by the disqualification, but it’s only right that Hamilton gets immense credit as well for delivering a top tier performance when any one of six or seven cars could have won on another day.
Jolyon Palmer wrote on his latest Formula1.com article.
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Jolyon Palmer labeled Lewis Hamilton’s race start to be ‘the best in the field’

Lewis Hamilton had great hopes of scoring impressive results after starting the race in P3. Hence, the Briton didn’t hold back and overtook the leading pack soon after the race started. This enabled the 39-year-old to soar through the race and end up in a winning position.

Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton, image via IMAGO

Jolyon Palmer recalled the race start for Lewis Hamilton and noted that it was ‘the best’ in the field. The reaction time of 0.25s over Perez allowed the former to gain a quick overtake.

From third on the grid, Hamilton’s start was the best in the field. His reaction time from the lights going out to the car launch was less than 0.25 seconds, the only driver to do so.
Jolyon Palmer added

The 2024 season is looking extremely exciting due to the sheer amount of uncertainty in race winners. Red Bull is under constant threat from McLaren for the WCC towards the end. Additionally, Mercedes has regained control over their position in the standings as they close in on Ferrari.

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