Ferrari brought a new rear suspension to the Belgian Grand Prix, an upgrade they thought would help bring them closer to McLaren. While Charles Leclerc, who finished the sprint in P4 and qualified P3 for the feature race, likes the new feel of the car, Lewis Hamilton is having a harder time adjusting.
After a quick exit in the first part of sprint qualifying on Friday, Hamilton made yet another early exit on Saturday, qualifying P16 for Sunday’s feature race. But it looks as though he would have to put up with the SF-25 as it is for the remainder of the season.
Lewis Hamilton reveals Ferrari’s upgrades may be done
During the weekend of the Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton revealed that Ferrari may not introduce any more upgrades for the rest of the season.
“I mean, we’re trying to do the best with what we have,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1. “And then obviously everyone’s working flat out back in the factory. We have had upgrades, but I think that’s probably it for the rest of the year.
“And then I think the focus is now, back at the factory at least, is to focus on next year’s car. This season has been a tricky one.”
Lewis Hamilton Admits Ferrari Upgrade Still Needs ‘Fine Tuning’ After Gruelling Spa Sprint
Despite the “tricky” season, Ferrari has the chance to finish P2 in the constructors’ championship for the second consecutive season. Even with Hamilton starting P16, Ferrari are in a better spot than their rivals Mercedes heading into the race.
But that is it for the upgrades. Now, the team is going to fully focus on developing the 2026 car. The 7-time Champion will be playing a more active role in the development of that car, as he has already revealed that he is exchanging documents with the engineers to help with the design.
Hamilton apologizes for poor qualifying form
In SQ1 at Spa, Hamilton found himself in the drop zone and was improving, but he spun at the final chicane, causing him to be eliminated. In Q1 ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton once again found himself in the drop zone, but improved to go P7 before a track limit infringement caused his lap time to be deleted, once again ending his qualifying session early.
After the session, Hamilton told Sky Sports F1 that he had to apologize to the team because his performance this weekend was unacceptable.
“From my side, another mistake,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1. “So I really got to look internal. I got to apologize to my team because it’s just unacceptable to be out in both Q1s. It’s a very, very poor performance for myself.”
‘Unacceptable’ – Lewis Hamilton Says Sorry to Ferrari After Another Painful Q1 Elimination
Afterwards, Hamilton was asked whether or not it’s worth making a setup change and starting from the pit lane, but he didn’t seem to keen on the idea.
“I don’t think there’s really much we can do, so I just try and start from where I am and see where I can get from there.”
Hamilton has never finished below P4 at Spa. With the chance of rain, anything could happen, but it appears that may be another streak coming to an end for the seven-time world champion.
