Russell long-game strategy snatches win from Hamilton in Mercedes 1-2

Hamilton gradually dropped Leclerc across the first of three stints in the two-stop affair for most of the frontrunners, while behind the different tyre tactics brought other drivers into focus at various points.

After Norris had lost three places on the opening lap by dipping his left-rear into the gravel at the exit of La Source, he soon had Verstappen roaring up behind after the world champion had quickly cleared the midfielders he had started behind in 11th – this the result of a 10 place gird penalty for adding a fifth engine into his pool for the season.

Here Russell, who had gained significantly with a good start from behind Norris on the grid, was in the thick of the action with Piastri – undercutting him at these pitstops, then getting immediately repassed and having to watch the Australian head up the road fight by Perez to run a net third.

In the second stint, Norris eventually pitted and came out behind Verstappen, before quickly erasing a…