Lewis Hamilton’s Spa drive labelled ‘unusual’ amid wet-weather pace | F1 Belgian GP. Lewis Hamilton impressed in wet conditions at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The opening half of Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Scuderia Ferrari has been far from the triumphant beginning many had anticipated. Hopes of the British driver capturing a record-breaking eighth Formula 1 World Championship title have diminished significantly as the 2025 campaign progresses.

Despite the introduction of several major upgrades to the Ferrari SF-25, Hamilton has struggled to consistently match the performance levels of his teammate Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver has adapted better to the car’s limitations, while Hamilton continues to grapple with persistent handling issues that have hampered his ability to compete at the front of the grid.

Ferrari’s expectations were high when they secured the seven-time world champion’s signature. The team envisioned that Hamilton’s arrival would usher in a winning mentality, laying the groundwork for success under the sweeping regulation changes set to take effect in 2026. However, with only one race remaining before the mid-season break, Hamilton finds himself sixth in the Drivers’ Championship standings and still searching for his first podium finish in red. The overall picture for Ferrari’s marquee signing looks increasingly bleak.

At the Belgian Grand Prix, run in challenging and ever-changing weather conditions, Lewis Hamilton showed flashes of brilliance. Despite starting further down the order, he charged through the midfield with an impressive display of racecraft that earned widespread praise from fans. Many considered it a standout performance that salvaged some much-needed positivity in an otherwise frustrating weekend.

Lewis Hamilton’s efforts in Belgium came after a particularly difficult build-up to the race, which included criticism from former teammate and 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg. Rosberg questioned the Briton’s recent form in qualifying and suggested that the veteran driver may have been offering excuses rather than solutions.

One area of significant concern for both Ferrari drivers remains the SF-25’s rear-end instability under braking—a trait that continues to undermine their confidence and lap time consistency. For Lewis Hamilton, this issue has been especially damaging, with Formula 1 pundit Martin Brundle highlighting just how poor the car’s rear traction appeared to be during the weekend at Spa-Francorchamps. The situation was expected to worsen in wet conditions, where grip and stability are at a premium.

Yet, despite those challenges, Lewis Hamilton delivered an exceptional performance in the rain-affected race. According to former racing driver Jeroen Bleekemolen, Hamilton’s wet-weather pace was described as something beyond the norm. Observers noted that Hamilton not only handled the tricky conditions with poise but also made key strategic decisions—such as opting for an early tyre change—that proved crucial to his final result. These moves showcased his enduring racing instincts and experience in complex race scenarios.

While Ferrari’s attention will increasingly shift toward preparations for the 2026 season, there is still reason to believe that 2025 holds some promise. The second half of the calendar features a number of circuits that should better suit the characteristics of the SF-25. Tracks such as the Hungaroring are shorter and less punishing than Spa-Francorchamps, and the team believes they can close the gap to leading rivals like McLaren and Red Bull Racing.

At Spa, Ferrari trailed McLaren by an average of three-tenths of a second per lap. On more technical circuits where straight-line speed is less critical, that performance deficit could shrink. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur remains confident that Ferrari will be in a position to challenge reigning World Champion Max Verstappen and keep the pressure on throughout the remaining rounds of the season.

Generating momentum now could pay dividends not only for 2025 but also for Ferrari’s long-term project. With new technical regulations arriving in 2026—covering everything from aerodynamics to power units—the team sees the remainder of this season as a chance to solidify its foundations and carry a renewed sense of optimism into a new era.

If Ferrari can return to winning ways in the coming months, it would offer hope of ending a title drought that dates back to 2008. For Lewis Hamilton, a resurgence in form could not only reignite his personal championship ambitions but also strengthen his position as the leader Ferrari hoped he would become.