Lewis Hamilton produced a strong recovery drive at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix after a disappointing start to the weekend that saw him eliminated in Q1 due to a deleted lap time for a track limits violation. The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion had arrived at Spa-Francorchamps optimistic about a turnaround in performance, especially after struggling with a spin during Sprint qualifying that left him starting from the back of the grid.
Lewis Hamilton had hoped for a more representative qualifying showing on Saturday, but his final lap time in Q1 was invalidated after he exceeded track limits—an infraction that left him eliminated in the first session and visibly frustrated in the media pen. It was a particularly difficult blow considering Ferrari had introduced a new package of upgrades that were intended to enhance the SF-25’s overall performance.
Despite the early setback, the Grand Prix itself offered Hamilton a chance to demonstrate his racing intelligence. In variable weather conditions, a well-timed strategy call allowed him to switch to slick tyres at precisely the right moment. This move enabled him to climb from 18th to 7th by the chequered flag, earning valuable points for the Scuderia and salvaging what could have been a disastrous weekend.
Although the final result was far better than initially expected, Lewis Hamilton remained dissatisfied with the overall outcome of the weekend. His body language and tone suggested ongoing frustration with the car’s limitations and the challenges of adapting to life at Ferrari. Speaking on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, 1996 World Champion Damon Hill shared his thoughts on Hamilton’s struggles and what lies ahead.
Hill believes that the 2025 season should be seen as a transitional year for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. While the British driver has already delivered Ferrari’s only win of the year—at the Sprint race in China—he has otherwise struggled to match the performance of teammate Charles Leclerc, who has consistently outpaced him over race distances.
The former Formula 1 driver explained that the transition from Mercedes, where Hamilton spent over a decade, to Ferrari was far more complex than simply switching teams. According to the former champion, today’s Formula 1 machinery is highly intricate, and becoming familiar with a new car’s systems and behaviours can take considerable time. From brake feel and chassis balance to control settings and cockpit layout, many of the elements Hamilton was used to at Mercedes have been replaced with unfamiliar ones at Ferrari.
Damon Hill also noted the added difficulty of integrating into an Italian-speaking environment, where communication nuances can add another layer of complexity for a newcomer. He pointed out that even with all of Hamilton’s experience and titles, adjusting to such a dramatically different technical and cultural setup is not easy.
Damon Hill emphasised that Hamilton, now in his 40s, still feels immense pressure to perform. Despite his legendary status, the desire to succeed remains strong, and weekends like the one at Spa—where qualifying setbacks add to the weight of expectations—are mentally and emotionally draining. Hill stressed that no amount of experience can fully shield a driver from the psychological demands of underperforming when the pressure is on.
Meanwhile, Ferrari continues its effort to understand and optimise the latest upgrades introduced to the SF-25. Lewis Hamilton was measured in his assessment of these changes during the pre-race Drivers’ Press Conference, warning that it would take a few Grands Prix before the team could fully evaluate their effectiveness.
The rear suspension update, seen as a pivotal part of Ferrari’s mid-season development, was intended to address ongoing issues related to ride height and car stability. This latest upgrade builds upon the new floor introduced earlier at the Austrian Grand Prix, completing a two-phase performance package that Ferrari hoped would provide greater consistency and competitiveness heading into the summer break.
Although Ferrari appears to be out of realistic contention for either championship in 2025, mainly due to McLaren’s remarkable consistency, the team remains focused on long-term progress. Ensuring that the correlation between simulator data, wind tunnel results, and on-track performance is fully aligned will be crucial as the sport moves closer to the significant regulation overhaul scheduled for 2026.
For Lewis Hamilton and the Maranello team alike, the rest of 2025 will be about building a foundation for the future. If both driver and team can unlock more performance from the SF-25 and work in greater harmony, they could be in a far stronger position to challenge when the next era of Formula 1 begins.
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