Hamilton Evidence Emerges After Leclerc’s Cryptic Remarks

Lewis Hamilton’s tough start at Ferrari took another hit during the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, where a qualifying spin highlighted ongoing setup struggles compared to teammate Charles Leclerc.

In a rain-hit session, Hamilton lost control at the high-speed Pouhon corner, sliding into the gravel and ending up 18th on the grid. It marked his second early exit in qualifying this season, fueling questions about his adaptation to the SF-25 car after switching from Mercedes.

Leclerc, meanwhile, shone through the chaos, securing fourth place and later converting it into a podium finish in the race. Internal team notes from Ferrari’s Mugello tests revealed the pair’s differing takes on a new rear suspension tweak aimed at boosting stability—Hamilton pushed for more aggressive changes, while Leclerc favored a cautious rollout that paid off at Spa.

Hamilton bounced back in the main event, charging from the back to seventh with smart tire calls and overtakes, but he admitted post-race the spin stemmed from pushing limits on a setup that didn’t suit his style. “I owe the team an apology for that mistake,” he said, praising Leclerc’s “flawless drive” amid Ferrari’s push to hold second in the constructors’ standings behind Red Bull.

This incident underscores the teething issues in Hamilton’s Ferrari chapter, as the seven-time champion works to mesh with a car built around Leclerc’s feedback. With the summer break looming, Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur stressed the need for unity, hinting at tweaks to bridge the gap before Monza.