Lewis Hamilton appeared to receive the strongest crowd support of any driver during the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, despite Max Verstappen securing a podium finish at a circuit where the Dutchman traditionally enjoys an enormous following.
Red Bull colours, Max Verstappen merchandise and the familiar orange flares were still prominent around Spa-Francorchamps. However, the reaction from spectators suggested that Lewis Hamilton, rather than the four-time world champion, had become the weekend’s most enthusiastically supported driver. The Ferrari star’s improving form and renewed involvement in the championship battle appeared to have energised his fanbase.
Lewis Hamilton receives Belgian GP crowd’s loudest reception
Before the event, Max Verstappen had seemed the obvious candidate to dominate the grandstands. He was born to a Belgian mother and has consistently attracted large numbers of Dutch supporters to Spa, while Lando Norris also has Belgian family connections.
Max Verstappen qualified second and went on to finish third in the race, yet the crowd’s reaction to him was reportedly quieter than the response generated by Lewis Hamilton. From the Pouhon section of the circuit, the seven-time world champion received a particularly loud cheer when he appeared on the television coverage during the pre-race grid sequence.
Lewis Hamilton had started fifth, two places behind Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc after the application of Lando Norris’s grid penalty. Although Max Verstappen ultimately claimed the final podium position, Lewis Hamilton’s fourth-place finish appeared to produce the more emotional celebration among many spectators.
The level of support reflected the growing optimism surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s 2026 campaign. Ferrari’s improved competitiveness has placed him firmly in the championship conversation, while his recent results have strengthened belief that he can remain a factor during the second half of the season.
Chaotic race ends with Lewis Hamilton finishing fourth
Lewis Hamilton’s Belgian Grand Prix was eventful from the opening lap. Contact with George Russell sent the Mercedes driver into the gravel and out of the race, while the stewards later handed Lewis Hamilton a five-second penalty for causing the collision.
Ferrari’s afternoon became even more tense during a pit stop involving Lewis Hamilton and a front-right mechanic. The team attempted to adjust the car’s front wing, but the stop was delayed during the incident. Ferrari later confirmed that the mechanic was uninjured, while Lewis Hamilton continued despite reporting difficulty turning the car after the intended wing adjustment was not completed.
The Ferrari driver recovered to finish fourth, ahead of Oscar Piastri. His pass on the McLaren produced another particularly strong reaction from the grandstands, reinforcing the impression that Lewis Hamilton had attracted the most vocal support of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.
The race also highlighted the challenge created by the 2026 power unit regulations at Spa. Drivers had to manage battery deployment carefully across the circuit’s long full-throttle sections, with cars losing substantial speed once electrical energy was exhausted. The technical background to those limitations is explained in our analysis of why 2026 Formula 1 cars lose speed at Spa, while the FIA’s revised energy restrictions were examined in our report on the MGU-K management challenge at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton remains in the 2026 title fight
Fourth place moved Lewis Hamilton back into second position in the drivers’ championship, 45 points behind Belgian Grand Prix winner and standings leader Kimi Antonelli. Mercedes had previously appeared capable of building a commanding advantage, but Lewis Hamilton has maintained that the championship remains within reach.
His Belgian Grand Prix result therefore carried greater significance than the finishing position alone. Lewis Hamilton limited the damage from his penalty, gained further points for Ferrari and demonstrated that his championship challenge still commands substantial belief from supporters.
The reaction at Spa also underlined how quickly the atmosphere around his Ferrari project has changed. Lewis Hamilton’s opening months with the team included difficult weekends and uncertainty over whether Ferrari could compete consistently at the front. His resurgence has since revived expectations, with the seven-time champion now receiving the kind of support traditionally associated with Ferrari’s most popular drivers.
Max Verstappen may have left Belgium with the trophy for third place, but Lewis Hamilton appeared to win the contest for the crowd’s affection. With Ferrari continuing to chase Mercedes in both championships, that level of backing could become an increasingly visible feature of the remaining 2026 races.
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