At the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, drivers Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli will commence the race from the pit lane following penalties for making technical alterations to their cars. Both drivers have endured a difficult weekend, struggling to advance beyond the initial phase of qualifying during Friday’s sprint shootout and Saturday’s main qualifying session.
Neither Hamilton nor Antonelli managed to make significant gains in the Sprint race, finishing in the lower ranks after 15 laps on Saturday. Prior to the main event, both drivers exited parc fermé to implement changes on their vehicles. These adjustments included critical power unit components in an attempt to improve performance under the challenging conditions expected for the race.
Details of Power Unit Changes Prompting Pit Lane Starts
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari SF-25 will feature several new parts, including an upgraded battery, control electronics, internal combustion engine (ICE), MGU-H, MGU-K, and turbochargers. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso have also introduced fresh ICE, MGU-H, MGU-K, and turbocharger units. All three drivers’ decisions to change these parts have resulted in their relegation to start from the pit lane.
Beginning the race from the pit lane offers the opportunity to adjust car setups more extensively, which could be advantageous given the expected wet conditions. This strategic decision aims to enhance handling and competitiveness despite the starting position setback.
Lewis Hamilton Reflects on a Challenging Qualifying Weekend
After the difficult sessions, Lewis Hamilton gave a candid assessment of his performance. Despite making some setup changes between the Sprint race and qualifying, he noted no meaningful improvement in the car’s behavior. The seven-time world champion admitted that the weekend has been particularly frustrating, underscoring the challenges he has faced.
“I was the same as I was for the rest of the weekend. We made some changes, the car didn’t feel terrible. I think it was even tougher for us. We had to put a second set [of soft tyres] on just to get through Q1.”
“Then from my side, another mistake, so I’ve really got to look internally. I’ve got to apologise to my team, because that’s just unacceptable to be out in both Q1s. It’s a very, very poor performance from myself.”
Looking ahead, Hamilton expressed uncertainty about the race but remained hopeful given the unpredictable conditions.
“Anything can happen here. I don’t know. I have no clue about tomorrow. It’s going to be very hard from where I am, so definitely a weekend to forget. I mean, we’re trying to do the best with what we have, and then everyone is working flat out back at the factory.”
Implications for Hamilton and the Belgian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton’s performance this weekend stands in sharp contrast to his success in the previous Belgian Grand Prix edition, where he secured a win—his last victory with Mercedes in 2024. The setbacks this weekend have put him in a tough position, but the variable weather conditions may offer an opportunity to gain places during the race.
With Hamilton, Antonelli, and Alonso all starting from the pit lane, the opening laps will be crucial for these drivers to recover lost ground. Their ability to adapt quickly and capitalize on the wet track conditions could influence the final results and championship points earned from this event.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A. Lewis Hamilton, a Formula 1 driver, openly supports veganism. Besides this, he invests in businesses that focus on plant-based products.
