George Russell ascended to the top step of the podium during the Belgian GP. However, less than three hours later, victory was snatched from him; his car was found to be 1.5 kilograms too light, rendering his win invalid. This unfortunate event places Russell in an exclusive list of unlucky drivers – these are all the racers who have been disqualified after a victory.
James Hunt, British GP, 1976
James Hunt was the first driver to see a victory go up in smoke. During the 1976 British GP, he crossed the finish line first – it was his first win at a home race, making it an extra special achievement for the flamboyant McLaren driver. However, the joy was short-lived. Not long after, he was disqualified because his M23 was found to be 1.5 centimeters too wide.
Rival Niki Lauda, who was racing for Ferrari at the time, inherited the victory. The missed points at Silverstone were ultimately not enough to hand over the championship; James Hunt won his first and only title in Formula 1 in 1976. In 1977, he would return to the British GP circuit to permanently etch his name on his home race.
Nelson Piquet, Brazilian GP, 1982
Nelson Piquet preceded George Russell during the 1982 Brazilian GP; his Brabham BT50 was too light to claim the win. After a grueling race – where several drivers succumbed to the extreme heat – Piquet crossed the finish line first. The high temperatures also took their toll on the podium; the Brazilian star fainted during the ceremony.
Disqualification of Nelson Piquet, 1982
In a twist of fate, Nelson Piquet had to concede victory to Alain Prost, who initially finished in third place. Both Piquet and runner-up Keke Rosberg were disqualified because their cars were found to be too light.
Alain Prost’s Disqualification at the San Marino GP, 1985
Three years later, Alain Prost himself was the unfortunate one. During the 1985 San Marino Grand Prix, several cars ran out of fuel. At that time, all teams were only allowed to refuel 220 liters per race – top drivers like Nigel Mansell, Stefan Johansson, Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, and Martin Brundle couldn’t make it beyond the final stages of the race.
Prost managed to cross the finish line but couldn’t even complete his cooldown lap. Due to the lack of fuel, the car failed the inspection; his McLaren was two kilos below the minimum weight of 580 kilograms. Lotus’ Elio de Angelis took advantage of all the mishaps and secured his second and last Formula 1 victory.
Ayrton Senna’s Disqualification at the Japanese GP, 1989
One of the most controversial disqualifications dates back to 1989. McLaren drivers Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were embroiled in a fierce battle for the title. During the Japanese GP, tensions escalated, and they pushed each other off the track, handing Prost the championship. However, Senna didn’t give up hope, and with a push from the Japanese marshals, he was able to continue his race.
The Brazilian legend eventually crossed the finish line first but was later disqualified – the marshals’ assistance was not appreciated. Prost, who had simply watched the race from the pit lane, was thus able to claim his third title. Senna contested the disqualification with the FIA, which resulted in a six-month racing ban.
Michael Schumacher’s Disqualification at the Belgian GP, 1994
Michael Schumacher – with the exception of George Russell – is the last driver to be disqualified after a victory. Coincidentally, his car also failed the inspection after a win at Spa. More than one millimeter of the wooden skid block under his Benetton B194 had been shaved off. Rules are rules, and so the victory went to rival Damon Hill. Schumi would eventually still be crowned world champion.
