Lewis Hamilton’s Difficult Belgian Grand Prix Raises Doubts Over Ferrari Partnership
The 2025 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix was far from the result Scuderia Ferrari had envisioned for Lewis Hamilton. While teammate Charles Leclerc secured yet another podium finish at Spa-Francorchamps, the seven-time world champion found himself mired in the midfield, struggling to extract performance from the SF-25 throughout the weekend.
Ferrari had introduced a new rear suspension upgrade at Spa, aiming to close the gap to the leading teams. However, the development did not deliver the competitive leap the Maranello-based team had hoped for. McLaren once again dominated proceedings, clinching a commanding one-two finish and leaving Ferrari searching for answers.
This underwhelming performance came at a time when Hamilton had reportedly begun pushing for internal changes within the Ferrari organisation. He had submitted detailed documents to senior staff outlining the operational areas where he believed improvements were essential. These internal suggestions coincided with a series of disappointing results, amplifying scrutiny over both his performance and his fit within the Italian team.
Lewis Hamilton’s weekend got off to a disastrous start during the Sprint Qualifying session, where he spun in SQ1 and was eliminated in 18th place. On Saturday, he only managed to recover to 15th position, and the struggles continued into standard qualifying. Although he posted a lap time good enough for Q2, that effort was deleted due to exceeding track limits at Raidillon, dropping him to 16th on the starting grid. Motorsport commentator Peter Windsor publicly criticised the mistake, describing it as inexcusable for a driver of Lewis Hamilton’s calibre.
Despite these early setbacks, Hamilton mounted a partial recovery during Sunday’s Grand Prix. Starting from the pit lane, he delivered several impressive overtakes and executed a well-managed race strategy, eventually finishing in seventh place. While it marked a commendable fightback, the result fell short of Ferrari’s ambitions and the expectations of many within the paddock.
There is a growing sentiment in the Formula 1 community that Hamilton himself may not be performing at the level expected from a driver of his stature. While Ferrari’s recent rear suspension upgrade was intended to address some of the SF-25’s shortcomings, the car still presented numerous issues over the weekend. Notably, Hamilton reported fuel-related concerns, prompting many fans and pundits to criticise Ferrari’s operational management.
Yet as journalist Nate Saunders pointed out, the problems were not solely mechanical. Hamilton’s poor qualifying sessions significantly compromised his weekend, particularly as they occurred just as he was urging Ferrari to restructure certain areas of the team. This timing was perceived by many in the paddock as particularly unfortunate. Saunders explained that several insiders had voiced concern about Hamilton making strong demands of the team while delivering underwhelming performances. With his status as the most successful Formula 1 driver in history, it was expected that he would use his vast experience to push the team forward, but results on track have not matched the rhetoric off it.
Lewis Hamilton’s comments prior to the Belgian Grand Prix reportedly included a desire to avoid the same fate as former Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel—both of whom left the team without winning a championship. However, as the weekend unfolded, there was growing speculation that Hamilton himself might be contributing to Ferrari’s struggles, rather than being the catalyst for change.
The situation has also raised concerns among seasoned observers like Gary Anderson. The former F1 technical director suggested that Hamilton’s decision to send detailed feedback and critiques via email could ultimately be counterproductive. He argued that such communication, if not handled delicately, might harm the relationship between Hamilton and the Ferrari organisation.
Ferrari, known for its tightly structured and tradition-driven working culture, may find such initiatives disruptive. While the Briton’s feedback is undoubtedly valuable—given his unmatched career success—the team also expects him to deliver strong results on track. As Ferrari begins shifting its technical focus toward the 2026 regulations, the pressure is mounting on both the team and Hamilton to align their ambitions and correct their trajectory.
Spa was a reminder that despite the promising upgrades, there are still significant issues to be resolved before Ferrari can return to consistent race-winning form. Some analysts, such as Alex Jacques, noted that the Sprint format at the Belgian Grand Prix added further complexity, making life more difficult for Hamilton. Others believe that his outspoken demands for change, coming before a difficult weekend, may have weakened his standing within the team.
As the Scuderia prepares for the second half of the 2025 season and begins laying the groundwork for its 2026 challenger, the spotlight remains firmly on Lewis Hamilton. If this season represents his final real opportunity to capture an elusive eighth world title, both his performance and his relationship with Ferrari must improve quickly. The margin for error is narrowing—and both sides know it.
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