During the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton’s team, Ferrari, employed a daring race strategy that helped him climb to seventh place despite challenging weather conditions. The Lewis Hamilton Belgian GP strategy relied on adapting to heavy rain forecasts and fluctuating track conditions, eventually turning a difficult qualifying setback into a strong race performance at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday.
Adverse Weather Prompts Risky Setup Choices Ahead of the Race
Heavy rain predicted for Sunday’s race led many Formula 1 teams to opt for higher downforce setups, prioritizing grip over speed. However, this usually meant starting from the pitlane due to parc fermé regulations. Although this approach generally carried disadvantages, it worked to Hamilton’s benefit at the Belgian Grand Prix, allowing him to advance significantly from a poor qualifying position.
Ferrari ran both its cars on low-downforce settings during Saturday’s qualifying. Charles Leclerc qualified third, but Hamilton’s final qualifying lap was invalidated for exceeding track limits at Raidillon, relegating him to 16th on the grid. With rain looming, Ferrari decided the penalty of starting from the pitlane was a lesser risk than starting mid-pack on a drying but tricky track.
Extended Race Delays and Cautious Restarts Work in Hamilton’s Favor
Race control implemented a cautious approach due to the weather, pausing the grand prix for nearly 90 minutes after a safety car formation lap and then ordering a rolling start following four more neutralized laps. This delay minimized the gap disadvantage typically faced by pitlane starters and set the stage for Hamilton’s rapid progress once racing resumed.
Immediately after the green flag, Hamilton overtook several rivals including Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll, Franco Colapinto, and Nico Hülkenberg, showcasing aggressive yet controlled racecraft on a changing circuit. His first key move came on lap nine when he passed 13th-placed Pierre Gasly at Stavelot, an unusual passing zone in most racing categories.
Early Pit Stop Call Secures Tactical Advantage for Hamilton
Hamilton was the first driver to pit for slick tires at the end of lap 11, capitalizing on emerging dry conditions when most competitors were still running intermediates. This daring pit stop gave him a first-mover advantage, enabling him to rejoin the race in eighth position. He then quickly overtook Liam Lawson but found difficulty passing Alex Albon’s Williams due to aerodynamic drag factors associated with his setup.
Meanwhile, Leclerc fought off intense pressure from Max Verstappen early in the race. As the track dried, drivers with low drag setups, like Leclerc, benefitted from higher top speeds, and Verstappen, who had chosen a higher downforce configuration, started to lose positions.
Ferrari’s Team Principal Explains the Calculated Risk Behind Strategy
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, explained the strategy during a Motorsport.com interview, emphasizing the necessity of calculated risks under uncertain conditions. He said,
“It was the strategy that when you’re in this situation you have to gamble a little bit,”
highlighting the difficult decision-making involved in timing the switch to slick tires.
Vasseur detailed the worsening condition of intermediate tires and the team’s proximity to the crossover point where slicks become faster. He noted,
“The situation is that we were degrading the inter a lot and we were far away from the crossover [where slicks become faster] just because the inter was a disaster – they were completely gone. You put on a new set of inters, you are also six seconds faster.”
He added that while Leclerc was close to making a similar switch, traffic concerns influenced the choice to commit to Hamilton first. Vasseur also clarified the collaborative nature of these decisions:
“Don’t try to split the team and the drivers, it’s always a collective decision…”
Weather Uncertainty Shapes Setup Decisions and Race Dynamics
Choosing low-downforce setups under conditions forecasted for sustained rainfall appeared counterintuitive. However, the earlier heavy rain gave way to bright sunshine that dried the Spa-Francorchamps track surprisingly quickly. Stavelot had visible dry patches before the race even officially began, and by lap seven at Pouhon, a dry racing line was clearly developing.
This drying track helped Leclerc maintain third place against Verstappen, as the aerodynamic efficiency of low-downforce cars became advantageous. On the rationale behind their initial setup choice, Vasseur remarked,
“It wasn’t that obvious that today it would be 100% wet – and you saw the race and it wasn’t full wet,”
Leclerc echoed the challenges of planning for such changeable conditions, saying,
“We had this forecast kind of saying that, ‘OK, you will have tonnes of showers all the day’. But we also knew yesterday the situation for the quali and we knew also that in case of rain, then you have also the spray, it’s difficult to overtake.”
He added,
“I think that it was a choice, not an easy one, and it was a bit 50-50 on the grid. You know, it’s always kind of a bet because even this morning, I wasn’t expecting that we’d have the sun in the afternoon.”
Impact of Strategy and Outlook for Future Races
Ferrari’s willingness to embrace uncertainty with aggressive tactical decisions enabled Hamilton to recover from his qualifying misfortune, finishing seventh and salvaging valuable championship points. This approach underlines how dynamic race strategies can turn adverse conditions into competitive advantages, especially at unpredictable venues like Spa-Francorchamps.
The team’s choice to prioritize low downforce despite rain forecasts, combined with the prompt switch to slick tires, demonstrates how adaptability remains key in Formula 1 races affected by sudden weather shifts. For Hamilton and Ferrari, this race will likely serve as a case study in balancing risk with reward on a fluctuating circuit.
Looking forward, continuing to refine such tactical flexibility will be vital for teams facing similar variable weather across the remainder of the season. How Ferrari leverages this experience may well influence their approaches to upcoming Grand Prix weekends where weather remains a decisive factor.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A. Race car driver Lewis Hamilton openly supports veganism. He is also investing in businesses that focus on plant-based products.
Q. Why did Lewis Hamilton quit?
A. Reports suggest Hamilton switched from Mercedes to Ferrari because Ferrari offered him a longer contract with higher pay. Additionally, he had not won any races in 2022 or 2023 and aimed to improve his performance with the new team.
Q. Why is Lewis Hamilton so rich?
A. Forbes recognized him as one of the top-earning athletes in 2025, estimating his income at $80 million. His earnings increased after joining Ferrari, the oldest and most successful F1 team. His roles as an ambassador for Lululemon and Dior also contributed to this boost.
Q. Max Verstappen: Who has the bigger net worth in 2025? Lewis Hamilton, with a net worth of $300 million, surpasses Max Verstappen’s $200 million. Hamilton’s wealth is from Formula 1 earnings, endorsements, smart investments, and properties.
A. Does Max Verstappen have more money than Lewis Hamilton?
