Lewis Hamilton is still on the hunt for his first podium with Ferrari since making a blockbuster move to the Italian team. He boasts five race wins at Spa, and might be aiming to match Michael Schumacher’s record of six.
But all that hope came crashing down when he was eliminated in Q1, placing 16th for the Belgian Grand Prix. His final lap’s time was deleted, with the FIA accusing him of a track limits violation at Turn 4. Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, recently addressed this and shared his thoughts on Hamilton‘s error.
Fred Vasseur speaks about Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc contrasting performances
During a recent interview with F1 TV, Vasseur spoke about both his drivers. He said, “Yeah, yeah, yeah — I think [Charles] did a very good lap in Q3, and step by step we are more in control of the new package and we are improving a little bit on the setup of the car. I think it was also a very good lap from him.”
Lewis Hamilton has his last lap time deleted for exceeding track limits at Turn 4 👀#F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/wgFsXqRvpV
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 26, 2025
Reflecting on Hamilton’s struggles at Spa, he said, “I think the struggle is not the pace. He was able to have the same pace as Charles in Q1. Track limits, it was for a couple of millimetres, but the rule is the rule and the lap time was deleted. It’s not a matter of pace or adaptation. I think he was able to do the job.”
Vasseur admits that Hamilton was not struggling with pace and believes that Ferrari would’ve witnessed a better result in qualifying if it wasn’t for the Briton’s error.
The 7-time champ has had a tough last few hours so far. During the sprint qualifying, he spun out at the final chicane after his rear locked up. The driver also admitted that it was the first time in his long career that such an incident had occurred. He managed to gain three places during the Sprint to finish in P15.
Charles Leclerc makes an honest admission after P3 finish
The SF-25 was recently upgraded with a revised rear suspension, and both drivers were expected to make strong finishes. Hamilton’s teammate had a contrasting qualifying session. Charles Leclerc managed to finish P3 behind Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the Belgian GP race.
A mega lap from @Charles_Leclerc in Spa 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rvPd7D5auS
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 26, 2025
The Monégasque driver admitted to the media, “I’m very happy today – it’s strange to say that because it’s still three-tenths [back] and it’s only a third place, but I did not expect it. We thought we were quite a lot more back. We knew that we had something more in the car obviously with the upgrade this weekend, but we still struggled yesterday.”
Leclerc also admitted that he felt more comfortable with the car since FP1, after the new upgrades that Ferrari delivered.
He boasts four podiums so far this season, including one at his home race in Monaco. Hamilton is still looking for his maiden podium with the Italians, and both drivers will certainly be aiming to finish strong at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.
