LEWIS HAMILTON’S WET WEATHER MASTERCLASS IN BELGIUM
Starting from the pit lane after a series of uncharacteristic mistakes and a complete engine change, Lewis defied the odds by storming through the field to finish seventh — a staggering gain of eleven positions in a race where no other driver made up more than three.
It wasn’t just a recovery drive. It was a lesson in wet-weather racing, tire strategy, and pure racecraft. Let's break down how Lewis pulled it off and why this performance is yet another testament to his brilliance behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car.
A Weekend That Started In Disaster
The weekend at Spa-Francorchamps didn’t begin on the right foot for Lewis. In both Friday and Saturday qualifying sessions, the Ferrari driver made rare mistakes that cost him dearly.
During Sprint Qualifying, he lost the rear end entering the Bus Stop chicane — a bizarre moment that saw him exit the session far earlier than expected. Then, in Saturday’s main qualifying for the Grand Prix, he ran wide at Radillon and had his fastest lap deleted, ending Q1 in a shocking P16.
It wasn’t just bad luck. These were driver errors — something Lewis himself would admit — and in a car that’s still not fully to his liking, they were costly.
Ferrari Takes A Bold Gamble
With Lewis already starting far down the grid, Ferrari made the strategic call to replace nearly every major power unit component. The list included a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-K, MGU-H, and energy store — a complete refresh of the Ferrari SF-25's internals.
Because Lewis had already exceeded his allocation of components for the season, he was slapped with a penalty that forced him to start from the pit lane.
But in this case, it didn’t matter.
The race started behind the Safety Car due to heavy rain, allowing Lewis to slot in with the pack by the time racing began — a huge break that eliminated the disadvantage of a pit-lane start.
The Comeback Begins
Once the green flag waved, the real Lewis Hamilton came alive. While many drivers treaded carefully on the slippery Spa circuit, Lewis attacked. He made a brilliant move on Carlos Sainz into the final chicane on Lap 8 and immediately followed it up by overtaking both Franco Colapinto and Nico Hulkenberg in rapid succession.
Next in his sights was Pierre Gasly in the Alpine — another clean move, another position gained. At this point, Lewis was driving like a man possessed, making passes in corners where few others dared to try.
This wasn't just a car advantage — it was Lewis using his unmatched feel for grip in wet conditions to full effect. His awareness of racing lines, brake balance, and tire temperature made the difference.
The Strategic Gamble That Paid Off
The defining moment of Lewis’ race came when the track began to dry. With a dry line slowly emerging, teams faced a critical decision: when to switch from intermediate tires to slicks?
Lewis made the call first. He boxed for medium compound slicks before most of the field, a move that initially dropped him to 17th — but crucially gave him clean air to push hard and bring the tires into their optimal window.
Drivers like Pierre Gasly, Fernando Alonso, and Nico Hulkenberg followed him in, but Lewis was already a step ahead. As others cautiously approached the grip limit, Lewis was already at it — setting purple sectors and climbing the leaderboard with every lap.
By the time the entire field had switched to slicks, Lewis found himself in seventh, just behind Williams’ Alex Albon — a car that had qualified well and maintained position on merit.
Top Speed Frustrations On The Kemmel Straight
Lewis got within DRS range of Albon quickly, and many fans anticipated another classic move on the Kemmel Straight. But it never came. Despite having better pace through the corners, the Ferrari lacked straight-line speed — even with the benefit of DRS. On multiple occasions, Lewis would close up through Eau Rouge and Radillon, only to run out of steam halfway down the straight.
He stayed glued to the back of the Williams for ten laps, hovering within one second but never quite able to pull alongside.
It was frustrating to watch — and surely even more frustrating for Lewis — but it highlighted one of Ferrari’s most persistent issues in 2025: the SF-25 is not slippery enough in low-downforce trim, even after the rear suspension upgrade introduced just ahead of Spa.
A Reminder Of Greatness
Despite failing to pass Albon, Lewis crossed the line in seventh — an incredible recovery given where his weekend started. From pit lane to Driver of the Day, the fans made it clear: they still believe in the magic of Lewis Hamilton. And why wouldn’t they? It was a performance built on experience, raw talent, and the kind of racing IQ that only the greats possess.
Yes, there were mistakes earlier in the weekend. But what sets Lewis apart is his ability to bounce back. In Formula 1, where confidence and momentum are everything, Lewis reminded the world that he’s still one of the fiercest competitors on the grid — especially when the skies open up.
What This Means For Ferrari’s 2025 Campaign
For Ferrari, the Belgian Grand Prix was a mixed bag. On one hand, they brought a crucial rear suspension upgrade designed to address the SF-25’s ride-height and stability issues. On the other, they saw their star driver start from the pit lane due to errors and component penalties.
But if there’s a silver lining, it’s Lewis’ performance. His overtakes, tire calls, and pace in the wet all showed what this car could do with the right hands behind the wheel and better top-end speed.
The challenge now is clear: Ferrari must give Lewis the tools to fight up front. With several circuits coming up that reward high-speed stability and straight-line speed — including Monza and Suzuka — it’s imperative that the team focuses on unlocking more performance from the SF-25.
And perhaps even more critically, the groundwork for 2026 — with new technical regulations and a fresh design philosophy — must take Lewis’ feedback into full account. He’s been vocal about what this car lacks, and if Ferrari truly wants to end their title drought, they need to listen to the most successful driver in F1 history.
Never Count Lewis Out
This wasn’t a win. It wasn’t even a podium. But in many ways, it was just as powerful.
Lewis Hamilton showed that, even when things go wrong, even when mistakes are made, and even when the odds are stacked against him — he can still put on a masterclass.
For F1 fans, especially those who bleed Ferrari red or wear the #44 with pride, this was more than a drive through the field. It was a reminder that legends don’t fade — they fight.
And with half a season left to go, one thing is certain: if the skies open again, you'd better bet on Lewis Hamilton.
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