Belgian GP: Podium for Russell & Williams Racing

Qualifying for the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix would see the Williams Racing Team drivers finish in second for George Russell and 12th for Nicholas Latifi. But with other drivers receiving penalties Nicholas would see himself tenth on the grid for the start. Saturday's qualifying would be run under wet conditions with both Williams drivers using the intermediate tyre to set their times. Now race day was again wet seeing a choice between the full wet tyre and the intermediate being a major consideration prior to the race. On pole was Verstappen followed by George, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Vettel, Gasly, Perez, Ocon, Leclerc and Nicholas tenth. On the lap to the grid we would see Perez crash his car ending his day as there was too much damage. Raikkonen would be starting his race from the pits.

As for tyres we would see the Williams drivers select the full wet tyre while of the rest of the field would do the same. The grid would move away under the Safety Car such was the wet track conditions. But the start would be delayed as they waited for a clearing of the weather. The delay would be quite lengthy but eventually the cars would move away from the grid behind the Safety Car. But the start would be suspended with the cars returning to the pits.

Despite waiting for a considerable period of time the weather conditions would never improve sufficiently to allow the race to be restarted. Finally the Race Stewards would make the decision to complete the minimum number of laps in order for the race to be declared completed and that a result could be declared. Given the limited number of laps run this would see just half points awarded. As the race was completed under the Safety Car the finishing order would be the same as the qualifying order with the exception of Nicholas who would finish the race in ninth as Perez, who had crashed earlier, would finish last in the results despite the Red Bull team being able to repair his car in the period of delay and see him return to the track.

So despite the race only being a few laps in length all run behind the Safety Car the Williams Racing Team would come away with a second and a ninth. Even though only half points were awarded it helped the team consolidate their eighth position in the championship. For George he would have the pleasure of appearing on the podium to receive his second place trophy. Given the hard work that the team and he had put in over the years he made the most of the moment to enjoy this result.