Ferrari’s private radio applauded “incredible” Lewis Hamilton decision at Spa GP. Lewis Hamilton delivered a standout performance at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton Stuns with Brilliant Comeback Drive at Belgian Grand Prix After Pit Lane Start

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton produced a remarkable comeback at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, showcasing his overtaking prowess with a charge through the field that saw him climb to seventh place by the chequered flag. Starting from the pit lane due to a poor qualifying session on Saturday, Hamilton’s performance on Sunday was a dramatic turnaround that stood in stark contrast to the struggles he faced earlier in the weekend.

The race itself was dominated by McLaren, as young Australian driver Oscar Piastri secured a commanding victory ahead of his teammate Lando Norris. Charles Leclerc, driving the second Ferrari, completed the podium after a composed and consistent drive—highlighting the performance disparity between the two Scuderia Ferrari teammates in the early part of the weekend.

Hamilton’s weekend had appeared bleak following a disappointing display during the Sprint race on Saturday. Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle had observed that Hamilton looked far from comfortable behind the wheel of the SF-25, particularly criticising the instability of the car’s rear end. The Briton struggled for grip throughout the shortened event, cautiously navigating the slippery circuit and eventually finishing in 15th position—well outside the points.

However, Ferrari made a critical setup adjustment ahead of Sunday’s main race. The team opted to change Hamilton’s brake pads, a decision that reportedly gave the British driver greater confidence under braking. This was evident throughout the Grand Prix, as he pulled off several bold and calculated overtaking manoeuvres—an area where Hamilton’s experience and finesse truly shone.

As the lights went out at Spa-Francorchamps, the race began behind the Safety Car due to damp conditions, with Hamilton lining up in 18th position. Only Kimi Antonelli and Fernando Alonso were behind him on the starting order. From the very first laps, Hamilton began to slice through the field. On lap seven, he overtook Carlos Sainz’s Williams with a clean move down the inside at the Bus Stop chicane. Just one lap later, he executed a stylish pass on Franco Colapinto around the outside at Les Combes—demonstrating his confidence and the improved handling of his car.

Hamilton’s charge continued as he targeted Nico Hülkenberg next. The Ferrari driver closed the gap swiftly and replicated his earlier overtake on Sainz, making the move stick within a lap. His momentum didn’t stop there. On lap nine, Hamilton caught up to Pierre Gasly and launched an aggressive but well-judged pass at Stavelot—a corner not typically known for overtaking opportunities. The move was praised over team radio by his race engineer Riccardo Adami, who complimented Hamilton’s bravery and instinct in wet conditions.

Despite the impressive pace, not everything ran smoothly over the radio between Hamilton and the Ferrari pit wall. Throughout the race, Adami instructed the British driver to ‘lift and coast’ on several occasions, each time providing a different justification. This strategy call, while common at Ferrari, was noted by F1 journalist Julianne Cerasoli as one of the team’s familiar patterns, often adding to the driver’s frustrations.

Yet amidst the usual friction, there was a rare moment of synergy between Hamilton and his race engineer. As the track began to dry and conditions shifted mid-race, Adami suggested the possibility of switching to slick tyres on lap 11. At first, Lewis Hamilton firmly rejected the idea, reportedly responding that it was out of the question. However, as he progressed through the lap and reassessed the grip levels, Hamilton revised his stance. Approaching Les Fagnes, he communicated to the pit wall that he was willing to attempt the switch to dry tyres if the team believed it was the right call.

This swift decision-making paid immediate dividends. Hamilton managed to leapfrog five cars in the pit lane sequence and emerged ahead of Liam Lawson, who had just exited the pits. The strategic pit stop and well-timed call elevated the Ferrari driver into seventh place—a position he held until the end of the Grand Prix.

The exchange was notable not only for its tactical significance but also because it stood out as a rare example of effective communication between Hamilton and Ferrari’s pit wall—an area that has often been a point of tension during the 2025 season. In contrast, Charles Leclerc’s radio conversation with his own race engineer earlier in the same event had highlighted the more typical, strained dynamic between Ferrari drivers and their strategists.

Ultimately, the Briton’s performance at Spa was a demonstration of adaptability, resilience, and veteran racecraft. While the SF-25 remains an inconsistent and sometimes unpredictable machine, Hamilton’s drive from the back of the field to a solid seventh-place finish provided a timely reminder of why he remains one of the most formidable competitors on the Formula 1 grid.