Lewis Hamilton in Belgium: Ferrari’s pace gone – and he’s got only himself to blame

A disappointing performance from Ferrari in the final practice session for the historic Belgian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc from Monaco in fifth on the grid when the chequered flag falls, with Lewis Hamilton from England in sixth. No Ferrari among the top four – the last time that happened was in Montreal last May. In Canada, Lewis was fifth and Charles eighth.

It is small consolation, then, that McLaren has handed them a gift: Leclerc and Hamilton each move up one place due to Lando Norris’s grid penalty (for fitting a fourth battery; only three are permitted per season).

Hopes of Lewis Hamilton’s first GP pole since Hungary 2023 – and his seventh Spa pole – have evaporated.

No one can sugar-coat this: Ferrari had expected more; after all, Leclerc emerged in P2 at the end of the second qualifying session and Hamilton in P4. Why did Ferrari’s pace then evaporate?

Or did it perhaps have something to do with Hamilton’s crash in the third free practice session?

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Hamilton, a five-time Belgian Grand Prix winner, said: “Our lads did a brilliant job of repairing the car. I’m very grateful for their work.”

“I made the best of qualifying; my laps were quite decent. But something about the rear suspension wasn’t quite the same as before; the car’s balance wasn’t the same as in the third practice session, when my Ferrari had felt so wonderful.”

“I reckon I could have finished in the top three with the Ferrari from the third practice session. But I’m not giving up hope of a podium finish.”