Lewis Hamilton has encountered another challenging weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix, intensifying doubts about his ongoing Lewis Hamilton Ferrari season split. The British driver struggled significantly during qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps, managing only 18th position for the sprint race and 16th for the main event. Despite finishing seventh on race day and earning the fans’ Driver of the Day vote, Hamilton’s overall performance remains far below expectations.
Since his move from Mercedes to Ferrari, Hamilton has yet to reach the podium in any feature race and trails his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc by 30 points in the drivers’ standings. This gap underlines the growing challenge Hamilton faces within his team as he tries to reestablish his dominance.
Expert Opinions Highlight Hamilton’s Struggles and Team Dynamics
Watching from the sidelines during the Belgian Grand Prix, former Formula 1 racer Ralf Schumacher offered his perspective on Hamilton’s difficulties. Schumacher pinpointed Hamilton’s sensitivity to new car parts, such as the problematic brake pads introduced at Spa, as a factor affecting the driver’s performance.
Lewis simply finds it more difficult to make changes; he’s more sensitive in that regard,
Schumacher explained, referring to Hamilton’s reaction to Ferrari’s updated rear axle system.
Schumacher also suggested that the new Ferrari set-up might better suit Leclerc’s driving style, contributing to his more consistent performances. He acknowledged Hamilton’s challenging weekend but urged patience for the six-time world champion.
To then have a weekend like he did in Spa is of course unfortunate. But I would give him a bit more time.
—Ralf Schumacher, Former F1 Driver and Pundit
He also noted Hamilton’s subdued mood after poor results, referencing a recent private apology Hamilton made to a Sky reporter as an example of the driver’s frustration and self-awareness.
Ralf Schumacher Expresses Concern Over Hamilton’s Future With Ferrari
While acknowledging some positive moments in the season, such as Hamilton’s sprint race victory in China, Schumacher did not shy away from expressing his disappointment in Hamilton’s current form and the impact on his relationship with Ferrari.
One shouldn’t judge Hamilton too quickly. But I hadn’t imagined it would be quite so bad,
Schumacher admitted, revealing how unexpected Hamilton’s struggles have become. He further remarked it was difficult to watch such a talented driver facing consistent challenges.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for him, because he has to turn things around. If this season ends like this, then I don’t know if the collaboration would still make sense in the long run.
—Ralf Schumacher, Former F1 Driver and Pundit
Signs of Progress Amid an Otherwise Difficult Season for Hamilton
Despite these significant concerns, Hamilton’s recent form shows signs of improvement. The 40-year-old has out-qualified Leclerc in three of the last four races and came close to securing a podium finish at his home event, the British Grand Prix. His pace at Spa before mistakes in qualifying also indicated competitive potential that has yet to fully materialize in race results.
Former British F1 driver and commentator Jolyon Palmer highlighted these details while assessing Hamilton’s Spa weekend, encouraging a more nuanced view beyond the raw finishing positions.
It won’t take a lot of tidying up of a nightmare weekend for Lewis Hamilton to be competitive once again.
—Jolyon Palmer, Former F1 Driver and Pundit
Palmer pointed out Hamilton’s historical strength in Budapest, the next race on the calendar, and optimism that Ferrari’s upgrade package will be better understood and implemented on a standard weekend format, potentially boosting Hamilton’s performance.
Leclerc’s Steady Performance Adds Pressure to Hamilton at Ferrari
Charles Leclerc’s weekend at Spa was nearly flawless, securing a third-place finish behind the race-winning McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. His success only intensifies the pressure on Hamilton, who continues to struggle to match Leclerc’s consistency and pace in the same machinery.
As Hamilton grapples with adapting to Ferrari’s car changes, Leclerc appears to thrive, creating a dynamic that fuels speculation about the future of Hamilton’s role with the team.
Looking Ahead: Uncertainty Surrounds Hamilton’s Ferrari Future
The ongoing challenges Lewis Hamilton faces with Ferrari raise questions about the long-term partnership between the driver and the Scuderia. While there are glimpses of potential and sporadic strong showings, the current Lewis Hamilton Ferrari season split may become inevitable if results fail to improve.
Hamilton’s ability to bounce back in upcoming races, starting with Budapest, will be critical in determining whether the collaboration continues beyond the current season or if a separation is the best path forward for both parties.
