F1 experts label Lewis Hamilton’s confusing Ferrari radio messages as a familiar Scuderia flaw. Lewis Hamilton recovered to seventh place at the Belgian Grand Prix after an early switch to slick tyres.

Lewis Hamilton Battles Through Belgian GP Challenges Amid Frustrating Ferrari Team Radio Callse

Lewis Hamilton managed to recover valuable championship points at the end of a challenging Belgian Grand Prix, thanks in part to a well-timed strategy call that saw him switch to slick tyres earlier than most of the grid. The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion made up ground in the tricky and ever-changing conditions at Spa-Francorchamps, finishing the race in seventh position after starting from the pit lane.

The race weekend was heavily affected by unpredictable weather. Roughly 30 minutes before the scheduled start, heavy rain began falling over the Ardennes circuit, significantly reducing visibility and making the track too dangerous for racing to begin on time. While Formula 1 fans voiced frustration over yet another delay caused by rain, the FIA opted to prioritize safety, holding off the start for around half an hour before finally allowing laps to commence behind the Safety Car.

Once the green flag was waved and racing officially got underway, drivers initially ran on Intermediate tyres. It was only after approximately 12 laps that the track began drying enough for slicks to be viable. Lewis Hamilton was among the first to take a risk and pit for dry-weather tyres, a move that proved highly effective as he climbed up the order into the points-paying positions.

Despite his rapid progress into seventh place, Hamilton’s forward momentum came to a halt midway through the race. According to reports from Brazilian F1 journalist Julianne Cerasoli, the British driver received a familiar and increasingly frustrating message from his race engineer, Riccardo Adami, instructing him to begin lifting and coasting—a fuel and energy-saving technique commonly used to manage mechanical or thermal issues.

Cerasoli pointed out that this message has become something of a trademark for Ferrari in recent seasons. The team has developed a reputation for frequently resorting to the “lift and coast” directive during Grands Prix, often followed by post-race explanations that vary from one event to the next. In this case, Hamilton’s reduced pace was attributed to fuel management, although earlier rounds had seen the team cite issues such as brake cooling or suspension ride height as justification for the same instruction.

During the Canadian Grand Prix earlier in the year, Ferrari had claimed that brake temperatures were behind their decision to limit performance through lift and coast. In other races, the explanation shifted to aerodynamic factors or component reliability. At Spa, Julianne Cerasoli suggested that Ferrari had run out of mechanical excuses and had instead focused on fuel conservation as the rationale—despite the car being set up for wet conditions, which typically raises ride height and reduces the likelihood of bottoming out.

Even with this limiting factor, Hamilton’s pace in the early wet conditions was seen as exceptional by analysts and observers. He posted several of the fastest laps of the race while dealing with an SF-25 that had shown inconsistent performance throughout the weekend. Many commentators noted that Hamilton seemed more comfortable in the rain than in the dry, showing flashes of the brilliance that made him a dominant force in past seasons.

The British driver’s weekend had started poorly, with a costly spin during Sprint qualifying followed by an early exit in Grand Prix qualifying after a track limits violation. Despite these setbacks, Hamilton remained composed and delivered a strong race performance on Sunday, showcasing resilience and growing familiarity with Ferrari’s unique characteristics.

Former World Champion Damon Hill weighed in on the Ferrari driver’s transition to the Maranello team, suggesting that the adaptation period is taking longer than some may have expected. Hill emphasized that switching teams after 12 years at Mercedes presents a steep learning curve, especially when dealing with new engineers, car behaviors, and team dynamics. He added that Hamilton will need additional time before he can consistently extract the full potential from the SF-25.

Off the track, Lewis Hamilton’s dedication to Ferrari’s cause has not gone unnoticed. Former teammate George Russell recently remarked that the Briton has noticeably scaled back his off-track commitments, attending fewer external events and appearances in order to focus fully on the development and performance of his new team. This increased focus underlines Hamilton’s commitment to helping Ferrari return to title contention and to building a strong foundation for the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond.

While frustrations with Ferrari’s radio calls and technical management continue to surface, Hamilton’s performance in Belgium demonstrated clear signs of progress. If the team can resolve the recurring issues around communication and race management, the potential is there for the British driver to challenge at the front once again.