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Motorsport

Filip Cleeren

George Russell out of F1 Belgian GP after Lewis Hamilton contact

George Russell Lewis Hamilton F1 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes Ferrari

Mercedes' George Russell suffered his latest blow in the 2026 Formula 1 championship after opening lap contact with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton punted him out of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Starting from third, Russell was easily overtaken by Charles Leclerc in the Kemmel straight and also faced a challenge by the second Ferrari of Hamilton on the inside of Turn 5's Les Combes.

As the two Britons turned into the corner side-by-side, Hamilton appeared to understeer into the path of Russell, tapping the Mercedes' right rear corner and punting Russell into the gravel. Russell was stuck in the gravel bed and retired on the spot, bringing out a safety car for the following four laps.

It's the latest setback for a Mercedes driver in the championship, with having only just benefited from team-mate Kimi Antonelli's retirement in Silverstone.

But with Antonelli leading the race from pole early on, Russell's 25-point deficit to the Italian championship leader is now expected to increase dramatically again.

On the radio, Hamilton said he was put in an "impossible position" as he understeered into Turn 5, following in the wake of Red Bull's Max Verstappen. But after investigating the incident, the FIA race stewards handed Hamilton a five-second time penalty.

Following the collision, Hamilton dropped to fifth behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

Photos from Belgian GP - Sunday

50 Formula 1

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari; Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Alpine F1 Team pit lane message

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Alexander Albon, Williams, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andy Stevenson, Sporting Director, Aston Martin F1 Team

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Jacques Villeneuve arrives in the paddock.

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Belgian Grand Prix - Sunday

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