Lewis Hamilton apologizes to Ferrari after challenging Belgian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton Apologizes to Ferrari After Challenging Belgian GP Weekend
Lewis Hamilton issued a heartfelt apology to Ferrari after a frustrating Belgian Grand Prix weekend, acknowledging his performance was "not what the team deserves." The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion faced a tough outing at Spa-Francorchamps, which included an early elimination in Q1 during qualifying and a point-less sprint race. However, Hamilton managed to salvage some pride on Sunday, climbing from the back of the grid to finish in seventh place.
After crossing the line in the main race, Hamilton addressed the team over the radio, saying:
"Sorry about this weekend, guys, losing you points. I'll work harder to come back stronger at the next race. Great job on the strategy and pit stops."
Aiming for Ferrari’s Return to Glory
The British driver entered the Belgian weekend with optimism, pointing to the work he has been doing behind the scenes to advance the Scuderia's competitive edge. In recent weeks, Hamilton has emphasized his desire to succeed where other multiple world champions, including Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, failed — by bringing Ferrari back to title-winning form.
Ferrari hasn’t claimed a drivers' championship since 2007 — Hamilton’s rookie season — or a constructors' championship since 2008. Despite the team's struggles, there were bright spots in Spa, as Hamilton’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, secured a podium finish amid scrutiny surrounding Ferrari's latest upgrade package.
Mixed Results for Ferrari at Spa
Ferrari’s new upgrade package was under the microscope during the weekend as the team aimed to close the gap to runaway leaders McLaren, who are dominating both championships this season. Leclerc’s third-place finish provided a morale boost for the team, and Hamilton believes the car is steadily improving.
"I think everyone in the team worked so hard," Hamilton said post-race. "We obviously had these upgrades. Everyone back in the factory worked so hard. And then when you come and put a performance like I had in these past two days, it's tough because that's not what the team deserves."
Hamilton Reflects on Struggles at Spa
Hamilton admitted to struggling during the weekend in Spa, particularly on Friday and Saturday. However, he remained optimistic heading into the Hungarian Grand Prix next week.
"It wasn’t a case of necessarily coming in and not being in the right mind through the weekend. There were a few factors that did affect [me], particularly on Friday. Saturday, it was just me. But I recovered today, so I got some points. We outscored Mercedes on points, which is great. Charles did a great job. Clearly, the car is improving because Charles was able to hold on to another podium. So I'm still going to work hard next week," Hamilton stated.
Looking Ahead to Hungary and the Summer Break
The Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday marks the final race before F1’s summer shutdown in August. With Ferrari’s upgrades showing promise and Hamilton eager to rebound, the Scuderia will be pushing hard to end the first half of the season on a high note.
As the title race heats up, McLaren continues to lead the pack, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris securing a dominant 1-2 finish in Belgium. For Ferrari, the next steps will be crucial, as they aim to sustain momentum and prove their championship credentials in the latter half of the season.
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