Lewis Hamilton was unexpectedly knocked out during the first part of qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, forcing him to start Sunday’s race in 16th position. Despite a late fast lap that appeared to place him seventh, officials later invalidated his time for exceeding track limits at Raidillon, pushing him out of contention for Q2.
Close Margin Leads to Disappointment for Hamilton
The seven-time world champion missed progression by just 0.031 seconds, narrowly losing out to Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto. While Hamilton had failed to reach Q2 earlier this year at Miami and Imola, this marks the first occasion he has been eliminated in Q1 since joining Ferrari.
Weekend Difficulties Continue for the Briton
Hamilton’s qualifying setback followed a challenging Friday, where he failed to exit SQ1 after spinning at the Bus Stop Chicane. He also struggled in Saturday’s sprint race, finishing 15th and trailing race winner Max Verstappen by more than 30 seconds. These challenges have compounded a difficult weekend for the F1 driver at Spa-Francorchamps.
Implications for Race Day and Hamilton’s Campaign
Starting from the back half of the grid presents a significant challenge for Hamilton, who will need to navigate traffic and make strategic overtakes during the race. This qualifying result adds pressure on the Ferrari driver as he looks to recover valuable points and improve his standing in the championship.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A. Race car driver Lewis Hamilton openly shows his passion for veganism. Additionally, he invests in businesses that focus on plant-based products.