Ferrari faces a race against time to repair Lewis Hamilton’s SF-26 after the seven-time Formula 1 world champion crashed in the closing minutes of Belgian Grand Prix FP3 at Spa-Francorchamps.
Lewis Hamilton ran off track and hit the barriers, causing significant damage to the rear of his Ferrari. The incident came at the worst possible moment, with Belgian Grand Prix qualifying scheduled to begin at 16:00 CET and Ferrari’s mechanics now facing a crucial assessment and repair operation.
The crash adds further pressure to Ferrari’s Spa weekend, following the team’s efforts to understand the SF-26’s performance limitations. Before the action began, Charles Leclerc had outlined Ferrari’s expectations for the Belgian Grand Prix, but the priority has now shifted to ensuring Lewis Hamilton’s car is ready in time for the all-important qualifying session.
Lewis Hamilton crash in Belgian GP FP3
Lewis Hamilton’s off-track excursion occurred in the final minutes of the third free practice session. His Ferrari made contact with the barriers, with the rear of the SF-26 sustaining substantial damage. Ferrari will need to inspect the affected components and complete the necessary repairs before the start of qualifying.
There is limited time available, but Ferrari will work to return Lewis Hamilton’s car to the circuit for the session. The full incident can be viewed below.
Hamilton finds the barriers 💥 Here’s what happened 👇#F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/FeNgjTo1Js
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 18, 2026
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