Two Winners and a Weekend of Surprises: What We Learned from the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix

The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps delivered more intrigue than the race results initially suggested. With two different winners across the sprint and the main race, and a host of talking points ranging from breakthrough performances to technical challenges, the Spa weekend gave fans and teams plenty to digest. Here’s a detailed look at what we learned from this iconic circuit in 2025.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Spoiled Breakthrough

Yuki Tsunoda’s weekend started with a notable midweek upgrade when Red Bull finally brought his car’s floor specification in line with that of Max Verstappen. This technical catch-up sparked a qualifying breakthrough, as Tsunoda locked in a career-best seventh on the grid for the race — just 0.38 seconds off Verstappen’s pole time. This was the closest any Red Bull teammate has come to Verstappen at Spa since Daniel Ricciardo back in 2018.

Unfortunately, despite the promising qualifying pace, Tsunoda’s race was compromised by a poorly timed pit stop. The team delayed his stop, forcing him to complete an extra lap on intermediates, which caused him to lose valuable positions and fall out of the points. Once stuck behind Pierre Gasly’s Alpine — a car optimized for low downforce and thus difficult to overtake — Tsunoda struggled to make further progress. It highlighted ongoing challenges in his race pace and tire management, as well as racecraft issues, particularly in the closing stages where he was passed by slower cars like Ollie Baumann and Nico Hülkenberg.

While Tsunoda’s qualifying pace is an encouraging sign, the weekend underscored that his overall racecraft and strategic execution still require refinement.

Oscar Piastri’s Killer Instinct Shines

One of the standout moments of the weekend was Oscar Piastri’s aggressive start in the Grand Prix. Until now, Piastri’s 2025 title challenge had been defined by consistency, strong qualifying performances, and calm racecraft. But at Spa, he showed a more ruthless side reminiscent of his standout 2024 performances — notably his bold first-lap passes on teammates Lando Norris at Monza and Charlotte at Baku.

Piastri capitalized on small mistakes by Norris at the start, powering up the iconic Eau Rouge and Raidillon corners while Norris appeared more tentative. This decisive move gave Piastri crucial momentum and track position, which he never relinquished, ultimately setting the tone for his win. This display of killer instinct marks a new phase in Piastri’s championship fight, demonstrating he can seize opportunities and assert dominance when it matters most.

Mercedes’ Development Misstep

Mercedes’ fortunes at Spa were starkly different from earlier in the season when they looked capable of challenging Red Bull and McLaren. This time, George Russell’s fifth-place finish was a solitary highlight, while teammate Kimmy Antonelli endured a brutal weekend.

The root cause appears to be a developmental error stemming from how Mercedes adapted to the mid-season clampdown on flexi-wing technology introduced in Spain. Rather than finding a performance gain, the team’s direction seemingly compromised the W16’s handling, particularly increasing rear instability at corner entry. This made the car more difficult to drive and prone to mistakes, as reflected in Antonelli’s ongoing struggles.

Russell believes this misstep since the flexi-wing clampdown has set the team back, and Brackley has scheduled urgent internal meetings to diagnose the issue. Mercedes faces a critical challenge in reversing this trend and giving both drivers a more manageable and competitive package.

The Spa Circuit’s Compatibility Problem with Modern F1

Spa-Francorchamps has long been one of F1’s most beloved and challenging circuits, especially in wet conditions. However, the 2025 weekend painfully highlighted that the track’s current characteristics don’t suit the modern Formula 1 cars well.

While qualifying remained spectacular, the sprint race was one of the dullest since the sprint format’s introduction, featuring minimal overtaking and processional racing. Sunday’s main race suffered from severe visibility problems due to the intense spray created by today’s cars, making wet racing feel like “driving through fog,” as described by Lewis Hamilton.

Spa is already being shifted on the calendar to avoid the worst weather, but if rain-affected weekends continue to delay or jeopardize races, the circuit risks losing its place on the calendar altogether. Even in dry conditions, the track currently produces little overtaking and is dominated by DRS trains — a shadow of the thrilling battles of the past. Fans and teams alike are hoping that the 2026 generation of cars, with their new aerodynamic regulations, will be better suited to Spa’s unique demands.

Ferrari’s Upgrade: Progress but Not Enough

Ferrari debuted a major rear suspension upgrade aimed at allowing the SF25 to run lower and unlock its true potential. Combined with a significant floor upgrade introduced recently, the changes helped Charles Leclerc qualify ahead of Verstappen and secure a podium finish in the race.

Leclerc credited the upgrade for giving him an edge in qualifying and in the tricky opening stint of the race, where his low-drag Ferrari setup was advantageous as the track dried. However, despite these gains, Ferrari remains far from regular race-winning form. Leclerc finished 22 seconds behind the winning McLaren, a gap that signals Ferrari still has substantial ground to cover.

Leclerc himself downplayed the upgrade, saying it delivered expected benefits but “is still not enough” for Ferrari to challenge consistently at the front.

The Rising Value of Sprint Races for Midfield Teams

The sprint format is proving increasingly important for midfield teams seeking to capitalize on opportunities. At Spa, the absence or underperformance of some front-running teams allowed midfield squads like Haas and Williams to shine. Haas scored their first sprint points of the season, and Williams achieved their best haul in over two months.

Because the sprint race is shorter, there’s less time for the established order to reassert itself, meaning midfield teams can hold onto higher positions and score valuable points. For example, Haas scored 17% of its 2025 points from the Spa sprint alone, while Aston Martin and Racing Point also benefited.

As the championship progresses, with sprints still scheduled in Austin, Brazil, and Qatar, these short races could have an outsized influence on the midfield battle — a dynamic worth watching closely.

Red Bull Under New Leadership: Calm and Controlled

The Belgian weekend was also the first under Red Bull’s new team principal, Lauren Mechier, who delivered a calm and drama-free debut. Mechier’s leadership style contrasts with the often fiery tenure of Christian Horner, focusing instead on steady management and measured communication.

While some internal friction reportedly lingered from Horner loyalists unhappy with the change, Mechier’s composed approach helped stabilize the team atmosphere. Red Bull turned around a midweek upgrade for Tsunoda effectively and managed to avoid public flare-ups over contentious race decisions.

Mechier did express polite but firm surprise that the race start was delayed due to weather — a decision that arguably hurt Red Bull’s setup — signaling that while his style is calm, he is not afraid to voice concerns when necessary.

Haas’ Wet Race Struggles Continue

Despite showing promising pace after upgrades at Silverstone, Haas’ wet-weather performance remains inconsistent. Team principal Okamatsu highlighted the need for improved strategic choices in rain-affected races.

At Spa, Haas’s strategy missteps prevented Esteban Ocon from scoring points, as a late pit call left him stuck in traffic and unable to recover. Meanwhile, teammate Ollie Baumann suffered an engine issue while running in points contention.

Haas’s split approach to downforce settings between their drivers was pragmatic but ultimately could not overcome the team’s wet-weather weaknesses — an area they will need to address as the season unfolds.

Kimmy Antonelli’s Confidence Crisis

Young driver Kimmy Antonelli’s struggles intensified at Spa, where he was slowest in sprint qualifying, finished 17th in the sprint race, and was eliminated in Q1 of the main qualifying session. He started Sunday’s race from the pit lane with a more downforce-heavy setup but faded as the track dried, finishing 16th without scoring points.

Antonelli admitted to losing confidence and feeling like he has regressed since the start of the European season. His aggressive driving style, while a potential asset, seems ill-suited to the current Mercedes package and results in forced driving that compounds his problems.

Mercedes faces a critical task to rebuild Antonelli’s confidence and help him extract performance from a difficult car.

Williams: Midfield Giant-Killers Once More

After a string of disappointing results, Williams bounced back with its best points haul in over two months. Carlos Sainz Jr. finished sixth in the sprint, and Alex Albon matched that in the Grand Prix, fending off strong midfield competition and finishing close to the Mercedes and Russell.

The team’s new sidepod and floor upgrades appeared effective, although they also made the car trickier to drive. Williams’ strong weekend widened their midfield championship lead, a promising sign that they remain the team to beat outside the top contenders.

Albon cautioned it’s too early to declare Williams back at the midfield summit permanently, but the performance boost will give the squad renewed confidence.

Conclusion

The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix was far more than a simple one-two finish in the main race. From breakthrough performances to strategic misfires and leadership changes, Spa-Francorchamps once again delivered a microcosm of Formula 1’s evolving challenges and storylines.

While the track’s compatibility with modern cars remains questionable, the weekend offered valuable lessons on driver development, team dynamics, and the growing importance of sprint races. With more upgrades and battles ahead, the 2025 season remains as unpredictable and exciting as ever.

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Max Verstappen’s Future in F1: Loyalty, Strategy, and the 2026 Revolution

The Formula 1 paddock was abuzz with whispers and speculation—until a bombshell dropped. Max Verstappen, the sport’s four-time world champion and Red Bull’s prodigious talent, has made a monumental decision about his future. After seasons of intense competition, uncertainty, and power shifts behind the scenes, Verstappen appears set to stay with Red Bull for the 2026 season. But beneath this seemingly straightforward news lies a complex web of strategy, performance clauses, and looming technical revolutions that could reshape the F1 landscape.

The Calm Before the Storm

At first glance, Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull seems clear. He is contracted until 2028, and after surviving a shaky 2024 and 2025 campaign—coupled with McLaren’s resurgence—the Dutch driver’s future seems secure. However, the paddock knows better than to take anything at face value. Behind Verstappen’s calm statements is a high-stakes game of leverage, where performance dictates loyalty, and loyalty is never absolute.

Verstappen has publicly stated he is “very happy where I am” and that he “hopes to drive here until the end of my career.” These words could be read as a promise or simply a strategic positioning in the chess match that is Formula 1 contract negotiations. The key lies in the details: Verstappen’s contract included a performance-related exit clause allowing him to leave if he finished fourth or lower in the championship before the summer break. This clause expired after the Hungarian Grand Prix when Verstappen was solidly third, 28 points ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, effectively locking him in for 2026.

The Exit Clause That Was—and Is Not

Verstappen’s exit clause was a powerful bargaining chip. Had he fallen outside the top three before the summer break, the F1 rumor mill would have exploded with speculation about potential moves to rivals such as Mercedes or Aston Martin. Now that the clause has expired, the headlines have quieted—but the undercurrents remain.

Why? Because loyalty in Formula 1 isn’t about contracts alone. It’s about performance. Christian Horner, Verstappen’s former boss and architect of the Red Bull dominance, was dismissed mid-season under mysterious circumstances, sending ripples through the team. While Verstappen did not publicly push for Horner’s ousting, he expressed excitement about the new leadership under Lauron Mechzner, signaling a willingness to embrace change.

Mechzner himself was candid: “In terms of priority, I’m sure what Max wants is a fast car. If we get him a fast car, it cancels out all the other considerations.” This chillingly sharp message summarizes the delicate balance Red Bull must strike to retain their champion—deliver performance or risk losing him.

The 2026 Technical Revolution

Looking ahead, 2026 represents a seismic shift for Formula 1. New engine regulations mandate 50% electrification, sustainable fuels, and active aerodynamics, introducing an unprecedented technical challenge for all manufacturers. Red Bull’s engine project, overseen initially by Horner’s former team, was described as the “biggest challenge” since the team’s F1 entry in 2005.

The stakes could not be higher. Mercedes, Honda, Ferrari, and even new players like Audi are all in a fierce race to master the new power units. Rumors suggest the hybrid power split could shift dramatically—perhaps as high as 70-30 or even 80-20 between internal combustion and electric power—to reduce performance gaps and promote closer competition.

The homologation rules might also be scrapped, allowing teams to develop their engines more freely within budget caps. This move aims to avoid a repeat of the runaway dominance seen in 2014 when Mercedes’ engine left competitors in the dust. Red Bull’s future, and Verstappen’s loyalty, hinges on navigating this transition successfully.

Mercedes: The Waiting Game

Meanwhile, Mercedes is playing its cards close to the chest. George Russell remains unsigned, with contract talks dragging on over “fine details” like marketing control and image rights. Toto Wolff has hinted the deal might still come before the summer break, but uncertainty lingers.

If Verstappen were to leave Red Bull in the future, Mercedes would be poised to make a move. The team is rumored to be keeping seats warm for Russell and their junior driver Antonelli with one-year deals, preserving flexibility. This strategy suggests Mercedes is ready to pounce if Red Bull falters and Verstappen becomes available.

Loyalty, Leverage, and Legacy

Verstappen’s situation exemplifies the complex interplay between loyalty, leverage, and legacy in Formula 1. His long-term contract to 2028 was never a simple guarantee of permanence but a form of leverage—both for him and Red Bull. The now-defunct performance clause was a key part of this leverage, a built-in escape hatch to maintain flexibility.

However, Verstappen’s statements and the expiration of the clause suggest he is content, at least for now, to remain the face of Red Bull’s continued quest for dominance. But the landscape is changing quickly. Horner’s departure, Mechzner’s rise, and the technical upheaval ahead create a dynamic environment where nothing can be taken for granted.

What’s Next for Verstappen and Red Bull?

The coming months and years will be critical. Red Bull must deliver a car fast enough to satisfy Verstappen’s ambitions—no small feat given the technical revolution looming. Mechzner’s leadership will be tested not just on engineering prowess but on managing the intricate human and political dynamics that underpin F1 success.

Should Red Bull falter, other doors may open for Verstappen. The lure of a championship-contending Mercedes or an Audi-backed powerhouse could prove irresistible. And with Russell’s contract status uncertain, the possibility of a Verstappen switch later in the decade remains on the table.

Conclusion: The Final Move?

As the 2024 and 2025 seasons unfold, Verstappen’s future is less about the contracts inked and more about the performance delivered. Formula 1 rewards speed, power, and control—not long-term promises. Verstappen knows this well. His legacy depends on both winning and winning with the right team.

The Hungarian Grand Prix marked the closing of one chapter—the expiration of the exit clause—but the story is far from over. Will Red Bull prove fast enough to keep their champion loyal? Can Mechzner carry the legacy of Horner and deliver in the electrified era? Will Mercedes capitalize on the uncertainty to lure Verstappen away?

These questions hang heavy as the engines roar toward a new era. For Max Verstappen, the ultimate decision may be made not in boardrooms but on the track—where speed is king, and loyalty is won, lap by lap.

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2025 Belgian Grand Prix: The Turning Point of the F1 Season

The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps isn’t just another race — it’s the crucible in which this year’s championship may be forged. With Ferrari rolling the dice on a suspension overhaul, McLaren strategically revealing its technical hand, and Red Bull lurking in the shadows with targeted upgrades, Spa could be the definitive moment of the season. Add Mercedes’ ongoing internal battle with the W16 and Aston Martin’s quiet recovery, and the grid has never looked more volatile. Here’s why the race at Spa could shift the entire trajectory of the 2025 Formula 1 title race.

Ferrari: Make or Break at Spa

Ferrari enters the Ardennes under enormous pressure. Silverstone was a brutal reminder of the SF-25’s inconsistencies — twitchy in low-speed corners, fragile in wet conditions, and unpredictable across race stints. A dismal P14 finish (after a strategy misfire) has left fans and insiders alike questioning the Scuderia’s direction.

But behind the scenes, Ferrari’s engineering department has been working overtime. A private suspension test at Mugello introduced a new rear-end concept with enhanced anti-squat geometry. This change is designed to increase mechanical grip on exits and stabilize the car under acceleration — critical at a track like Spa, known for its elevation shifts and high-speed transitions.

Crucially, the revised setup also allows for a wider ride height window, meaning Ferrari can push performance boundaries without falling foul of plank wear regulations. While the projected gain is modest — around 0.1s per lap — the real value lies in delivering more consistent grip across varied setups. If successful, this could finally address Ferrari’s weakness in high-speed sectors.

More upgrades are already in the pipeline. A new underfloor, slated for Hungary, could be Ferrari’s trump card as the season heads into its second half. If the suspension update delivers immediate results, momentum could swing dramatically in the Italian team’s favor before the summer break.

Red Bull: The Silent Threat

Despite a quieter presence lately, Red Bull should never be underestimated. After being pressured by McLaren in both tire life and race pace, the reigning champions are preparing a subtle but potent floor update focused on improving rear downforce retention — particularly through medium and high yaw angles.

This refinement is tailor-made for Spa’s flowing corners, such as Blanchimont and Pouhon. With Max Verstappen aiming to bounce back from mid-season inconsistencies, expect Red Bull to trim for maximum straight-line speed and rely on aero stability to counter McLaren’s surge. If the updates perform as predicted, Spa could mark Verstappen’s return to dominance.

Mercedes: The Puzzle Remains

Mercedes remains a mystery box. On paper, they had podium potential at Silverstone, yet ended the weekend with George Russell in a lonely P10 and rookie Kimi Antonelli retiring due to a diffuser-destroying rear-end failure. These flashes of promise continue to be marred by strategy miscues and inconsistent tire management.

Spa may offer some answers. According to chief communications officer Bradley Lord, Mercedes is bringing a significant — albeit secretive — upgrade package. Paddock sources hint at front wing revisions to improve outwash and a possible sidepod overhaul, borrowing from the disconnected upper design pioneered by Red Bull and refined by McLaren.

The goal? Cleaner airflow to the rear and more consistent high-speed downforce. In parallel, Mercedes is reportedly tweaking their tire degradation systems — a key weakness exposed at Silverstone. If the package comes together, Mercedes might finally unlock the performance the W16 has promised all season.

McLaren: Strategic Assassins

McLaren is playing 4D chess while others are still swinging blindly. Despite a post-race penalty that dropped Oscar Piastri behind Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone, the team’s pace in both wet and dry conditions was untouchable. What’s more — they didn’t even use their latest floor upgrade.

The new floor edge, tested during Friday practice, was deliberately withheld from the race to ensure optimal data correlation in a non-sprint weekend. Spa was always the planned launchpad for this evolution, designed to improve airflow velocity under the car and increase suction through the diffuser — vital at a power-sensitive track with high-speed direction changes.

If combined with the previously delayed Jeddah-spec diffuser and a newly developed floor body component near the rear brake ducts, the MCL39 could become an aerodynamic masterpiece. Engineers are cautious about over-promising, but clean Friday sessions at Spa could see all three components trialed in unison — a terrifying prospect for the rest of the grid.

Aston Martin: Quietly Rebounding

After a tough mid-season stretch, Aston Martin made a quiet but meaningful step forward at Silverstone. Both Alonso and Stroll scored points, thanks to a comprehensive upgrade package that included new floor fences, a revised engine cover, and subtle tweaks to the floor edge.

Spa will bring further changes. The team is expected to debut updates to both front and rear suspension elements, focusing on tire degradation and thermal efficiency through high-load corners. One issue remains: drag. The AMR25 has struggled with top speed unless heavily trimmed, and Spa’s long straights demand efficiency.

To compensate, Aston is expected to run a low-drag rear wing setup to recoup straight-line losses. If conditions change mid-race — as they often do at Spa — and strategy is sharp, Aston could realistically target a P6–P8 finish.

The Title Fight Heats Up

So how does the field stack up heading into the pivotal Belgian Grand Prix?

McLaren still holds the upper hand in raw pace and development efficiency.

Ferrari may be on the cusp of a breakthrough if their suspension upgrade works as intended.

Red Bull is biding its time, refining instead of overhauling, but remains lethal.

Mercedes has potential but also volatility — they could shine or stumble.

Aston Martin and Racing Bulls are best-of-the-rest, capable of surprises on the right day.

The stage is set for a classic. The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix is no longer just another entry in the calendar — it’s a defining moment in the championship narrative. Will Ferrari claw back into contention? Can McLaren pull away? Or is Verstappen gearing up for a silent, devastating strike?

Your Turn

Who do you think will reign supreme at Spa? Will McLaren continue their dominant run? Can Ferrari find redemption? Or is Red Bull about to remind everyone who’s boss?

Drop your top three predictions in the comments — and don’t forget to follow for more deep-dive F1 analysis as the 2025 season roars on. Spa is calling. Let’s race.

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“We Gave It All”: Inside Lewis Hamilton’s Warning to Ferrari After a Frustrating Spa Weekend

When Lewis Hamilton crossed the line at the Belgian Grand Prix and calmly said, “I gave it everything,” it might have sounded like just another standard race debrief. Seventh place after starting from the pit lane seemed like a decent recovery. But for those listening closely, it wasn’t about the position—it was about the tone. The message. The weight behind the words.

Moments later, he added: “Sorry about this weekend, guys. Lost you some points.” It was soft-spoken, almost monotone. There was no outburst, no drama. And that’s precisely why it hit so hard. Hamilton has had tough races before—bad luck, poor strategy, underperforming machinery. But this one felt different. This was more than a bad day at the office. This was a subtle but unmistakable signal.

A Weekend of Hollow Progress

Ferrari had arrived at Spa with optimism. New upgrades were fitted—an improved floor, enhanced aerodynamics, and promises of better rear-end grip. The team talked up a “step forward.” But from Friday’s first session, it was clear to Hamilton: something wasn’t right.

The car felt unpredictable. Snap oversteer. Inconsistent balance. A setup that never truly settled into a sweet spot. And unlike in past weekends where problems led to productive discussions, this time there was a void. A lack of explanation. No clarity. No confident direction. Just a vague sense that the team themselves didn’t fully understand what had gone wrong.

Hamilton wasn’t angry—he was distant. That’s what made it so striking.

The Importance of Trust

For a driver like Hamilton, trust isn’t optional—it’s foundational. He’s spent much of his career driving through adversity, but always with the knowledge that his team was in it with him, fully and transparently. At Spa, that foundation looked shaky.

While Charles Leclerc seemed at ease in the sister Ferrari—receiving constant feedback, timely strategy calls, and encouragement from his race engineer—Hamilton’s side of the garage felt muted. His engineer, Riccardo Adami, sounded flat and impersonal. There was no urgency. No chemistry. Just cold data being relayed over the airwaves. It didn’t sound like teamwork. It sounded like obligation.

Contrast that with Leclerc, whose communication was clear, structured, and energized. It reflected a level of familiarity and mutual trust built over years. Hamilton, a newcomer in red, is still trying to find that wavelength—and increasingly, it seems like no one’s tuning in.

More Than Just Car Setup

To the outside world, equal equipment implies equal opportunity. But in Formula 1, it’s never quite that simple. Yes, both drivers got the same upgrades. But the way a car is developed, designed, and set up over months of iteration can unintentionally favor one driving style over another.

Leclerc looked confident at Spa. His car responded well. He extracted performance. Hamilton, meanwhile, looked like he was fighting the machine more than racing his rivals. That kind of misalignment doesn’t just impact lap time—it chips away at a driver’s belief.

Strategy Paralysis

Perhaps the most glaring issue, though, came not from the chassis but from the pit wall. Hamilton’s strategy was hesitant. His tire change came too late. He got caught in traffic, lost valuable seconds in dirty air, and couldn’t mount a meaningful recovery. Once again, Ferrari seemed reactive rather than proactive. They didn’t roll the dice. They didn’t protect his position. They watched opportunities pass.

This isn’t new. Ferrari has been criticized all season for conservative strategy. For a team that once prided itself on boldness and innovation, they now look risk-averse—especially when it matters most.

And in a team where Hamilton’s still earning internal equity, every missed opportunity carries extra weight. He pushed the car, made overtakes, took risks. But the pit wall didn’t meet him halfway.

The Sound of Silence

Post-race, Hamilton’s silence spoke volumes. He didn’t linger in the media pen. Didn’t go out of his way to debrief with the crew. No long hugs. No motivational words. Just a quiet retreat. This wasn’t sulking. This was strategic silence—the kind that lets everyone around you feel the discomfort of missed potential.

And it wasn’t just the fans who noticed. The paddock picked up on the mood. Journalists called it “uncharacteristic.” Engineers called it “unsettling.” Even some team insiders admitted it felt like a shift.

A Divided Garage?

This isn’t about favoritism. No one’s saying Leclerc is deliberately prioritized. But systems evolve around people. Leclerc is Ferrari’s known quantity, the man they’ve built with. Hamilton is still being integrated. And integration takes time—especially when results aren’t just elusive, but inexplicable.

Hamilton doesn’t need to be number one. But he needs to feel heard. Supported. Aligned. Right now, it looks like none of those boxes are being ticked.

Looking Forward—or Nowhere?

This race wasn’t about seventh place. It was about momentum. About belief. And Hamilton’s message wasn’t just to his engineers. It was to Ferrari’s leadership. He’s not pointing fingers, but he is pointing out cracks.

Ferrari’s challenge now isn’t just to find pace. It’s to rebuild cohesion. Because when Hamilton said, “That’s all we had,” it wasn’t a statement of resignation. It was a warning: we are stuck.

And if Ferrari can’t get unstuck soon—if they keep relying on hope over answers, on tradition over progress—they won’t just lose ground in the constructors’ championship. They could lose the belief of a seven-time world champion.

And Lewis Hamilton won’t wait forever.

What’s Next?

The pressure is now squarely on Ferrari—not just to improve the car, but to re-earn their driver’s confidence. Spa showed that technical upgrades are meaningless without strategic execution and emotional alignment.

Hamilton’s patience is finite. His legacy is secure. He didn’t come to Ferrari to fight for seventh place. He came to make history. And if the system around him doesn’t rise to that level, he’ll quietly—but firmly—find his way out.

Do you think Ferrari is giving Hamilton what he needs to win? Let us know in the comments. And if this tension keeps building, buckle up—because this story is far from over.

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OSCAR PIASTRI rained on Lando Norris’ parade to win a sodden Belgian Grand Prix.

Fearless Piastri left pole-sitter Norris for dust after just one lap to take the lead and see out a largely uneventful race in Spa.

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Oscar Piastri extended his championship lead ahead by winning the Belgian GPCredit: Reuters

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Lando Norris suffered a lap-one horror show as Piastri swept past the pole sitterCredit: AFP

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Lewis Hamilton made a small amends to his disastrous weekend by racing through to P7 from P18Credit: APIt means Piastri stretched his lead at the top of the table to 16 points from just eight ahead of the weekend, having also finished second in the sprint race, ahead of the third-place Brit.

Charles Leclerc sealed the third and final podium spot today after a fierce battle with Max Verstappen, who had to settle for fourth, while George Russell came in fifth.

Lewis Hamilton put in an absolute shift to finish in seventh from 18th after starting in the pit lane due to taking on a new power unit in his Ferrari.

The race was delayed by a whopping one hour and 20 minutes after Spa was hit with its usual downpour, that even KO’d the race in 2021.

The safety car zipped around the track with the drivers following behind, with their cars spraying out water like sprinklers.

After four laps it was a rolling start which got things underway as Norris held onto the lead with teammate Piastri snapping at his heels.

The ruthless Aussie nearly smashed into the back of Norris on lap five but missed by a whisker before nipping past him to take the lead.

Hamilton made a huge statement after what he described as a “weekend to forget”, charging into 13th from 18th after a blistering opening ten laps.

He was then the first driver to gamble on slick tyres on lap 12 – a decision which rewarded him with a big jump up the order to P8 before immediately sweeping past Liam Lawson on cold mediums and into P7.

Meanwhile, Verstappen was in hot pursuit of Monegasque driver Leclerc in the battle for third and nearly nudged ahead.

Race leader Piastri, Leclerc and Verstappen all pitted though as Norris momentarily regained the lead.

The Brit stuffed up his pit stop though and lost a huge chunk of time staying out an extra lap as Piastri pulled clear.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton worked tooth and nail and was running in seventh, right behind Alex Albon, halfway through the race.

There was a tyre conundrum between the two McLarens as the race progressed, with Piastri asked to make a call on whether to make another pit stop or try to see it out until the end.

The 24-year-old was on the medium tyres while Norris was on the more robust hard tyre and 15 laps, as dreary as talking about tyres, followed.

Norris was the culprit of a silly mistake as he locked up at Turn 1 and lost more than half a second and it looked like game over to catch up with Piastri.

The 25-year-old had other ideas though and was closing the gap into the dying laps, with five seconds separating them at the end.

Piastri said on team radio after: “Nicely f***ing done.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton – on what was his worst race finish at Spa-Francorchamps (other than five career retirements) – added over the team radio: “Sorry about this weekend and losing you points.

“I’ll work harder to come back stronger at the next race. Great job on the strategy and pit stop.”

The FIA’s Wet Weather Dilemma: A Critical Look at the Belgian Grand Prix

Formula 1’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), has once again found itself under intense scrutiny, and this time, with good reason. The recent Belgian Grand Prix brought the perennial issue of race management in wet conditions sharply into focus. Decisions made during the event sparked frustration among drivers, fans, and pundits alike, exposing the delicate balance between safety and spectacle that the FIA must maintain—often with conflicting demands.

Rain: The Ultimate Test of Skill and Safety

Racing in the rain has always held a special place in Formula 1 lore. The unpredictable, treacherous conditions have historically delivered some of the most thrilling moments in the sport’s history, forcing drivers to showcase extraordinary car control, bravery, and tactical nous. Legendary names such as Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen have all cemented their legacies with masterful wet-weather performances.

Yet, the sport’s relentless pursuit of safety in recent years has shifted the dynamics significantly. While no one questions the importance of protecting drivers—especially after tragic incidents in 2019 and 2023—there is growing concern that the FIA’s caution has begun to strip away the very drama that makes rain-affected races so captivating.

The Belgian Grand Prix Controversy: Safety vs. Spectacle

The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix was set against a backdrop of persistent rain, with teams preparing their cars accordingly. Max Verstappen, for instance, opted for a high downforce setup ideal for wet conditions, sacrificing top-end speed for stability and grip. The anticipation was for a classic wet race filled with overtakes and strategic battles.

However, the race director’s decision to delay the start until the rain ceased and the track dried completely frustrated many. Instead of thrilling wet laps behind the safety car or a dampened but competitive race, fans were met with a lengthy delay and a largely processional event once racing resumed. Both Verstappen and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton openly criticized the FIA’s approach. Hamilton called the suspension of the start procedure “a bit silly,” lamenting the missed opportunity for a genuine wet race.

His sentiments echoed many fans and insiders who believe that once the worst of the rain subsided, a controlled, albeit slower, race behind the safety car could have been viable. Such an approach would have allowed the track to dry gradually, giving drivers the chance to demonstrate skill in challenging conditions, rather than waiting for ideal conditions that essentially nullified the very wet racing excitement many crave.

The Technical Challenge of Wet Tires and Visibility

One critical issue highlighted during the Belgian GP was the problematic nature of full wet tires. Formula 1 cars use two types of rain tires: intermediates for lighter wet conditions and full wets for heavy rain. The full wets are designed to displace large volumes of water—around 60 liters per second—helping prevent aquaplaning. But this water displacement also creates significant spray, severely reducing visibility for drivers behind.

This spray issue was a major reason the FIA hesitated to start the race in heavy rain. Poor visibility is not just an inconvenience; it is a severe safety hazard, especially on a high-speed circuit like Spa-Francorchamps. Despite the tires’ potential to create a wet racing line and help dry the track faster, their downside—reduced visibility and slower lap times—played a crucial role in the decision to wait.

In this context, the FIA faces a tough dilemma: race in challenging conditions that deliver excitement but carry risk, or delay and potentially disappoint fans and teams by prioritizing safety above all else.

Diverging Opinions: Drivers vs. Officials

While Verstappen and Hamilton were vocal critics of the delayed start, other drivers and insiders offered a more measured defense of the FIA’s cautious stance. Charles Leclerc, for example, acknowledged the need for caution given the sport’s tragic history in wet conditions, emphasizing that safety should always come first. Similarly, rookie Oscar Piastri urged fans and critics to understand that the FIA’s decisions are heavily influenced by driver feedback and real-time conditions that aren’t always obvious from the outside.

Piastri noted that drivers at the back of the pack, who have limited visibility, face a far greater risk in such conditions. For them, what might seem like a cautious approach is actually a critical safety measure. These perspectives highlight the complexity of race management, where the views of front-running stars don’t necessarily represent the experience of the entire field.

The Cost of Caution: Lost Opportunities and Strategy Compromises

From a strategic viewpoint, the FIA’s approach had tangible consequences for drivers and teams. Verstappen’s commitment to a high downforce setup aimed at maximizing his wet weather performance backfired when the race never truly materialized under those conditions. His qualifying was compromised to prepare for a wet race, yet the lack of actual wet racing meant he ended up with a car setup ill-suited for the dry or drying track conditions.

This not only impacted his performance but also highlighted the difficulty teams face when the governing body’s decisions are unpredictable. How do you prepare a car for a race when the timing and nature of weather-dependent decisions are so uncertain? The resulting frustration resonates deeply with drivers who want to compete on merit and skill rather than be hamstrung by external variables.

What Lies Ahead for the FIA and Formula 1?

The events at Spa raise a fundamental question: is the FIA currently equipped to manage races in heavy wet conditions effectively? The consensus among many experts is that we are at a crossroads.

If the FIA continues to prioritize absolute safety over racing spectacle, we risk losing the unpredictability and drama that rain racing brings to Formula 1. On the other hand, pushing the limits too far could endanger lives—a cost no one is willing to accept.

There is also the growing possibility that wet races, especially those in torrential conditions, might become rare or even phased out in the future. The sport may increasingly favor intermediate rain scenarios, where conditions are challenging but manageable, preserving some excitement without undue risk.

The Drivers’ Role in Shaping Future Race Management

Ultimately, the solution may require closer collaboration between drivers, teams, and race directors. Many argue that drivers should have a more unified voice when it comes to decisions about racing in adverse weather. Collective agreements on acceptable risk levels, clearer protocols for wet race management, and transparent communication channels could help bridge the gap between safety and spectacle.

Driver feedback already plays a role in decisions, but it is often fragmented or conflicting. Establishing more formalized input mechanisms could reduce frustration and prevent knee-jerk criticisms in the heat of the moment.

Conclusion: Balancing Thrills and Responsibility

The Belgian Grand Prix of 2025 was a stark reminder of the challenges facing Formula 1 in the modern era. As much as fans crave the adrenaline-fueled chaos of wet racing, the price of pushing too far is simply too high. The FIA’s cautious approach, though unpopular to some, stems from lessons learned through tragedy and a commitment to protect the lives of drivers.

However, the controversy also reveals a need for the FIA to refine its approach, harness technological advances, and enhance cooperation with drivers to preserve the spirit of racing while ensuring safety.

As the sport evolves, the question remains: can Formula 1 find the perfect balance between the exhilaration of rain-soaked battles and the imperative of safeguarding its heroes? Only time—and wiser decisions—will tell.

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The biggest Formula 1 2025 silly season story by far has been the constant speculation that Max Verstappen could quit Red Bull to replace George Russell at Mercedes

Max Verstappen and manager Raymond Vermeulen(Image: Getty Images)

Max Verstappen is almost certain to stick with Red Bull for the 2026 season with his release clause set to expire. It is understood that the Dutchman would have been free to trigger an exit from the team if he were to find himself fourth or lower in the championship by the Formula 1 summer break.

But that is now mathematically impossible after his strong haul at the Belgian Grand Prix. Verstappen won Saturday’s Sprint race and finished fourth in the rain-affected main event a day later. He is third in the championship and 28 points ahead of George Russell in fourth, with one race to go until the break.

Even if Verstappen were to finish Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix pointless, and Russell were to win in Budapest, he would still be above the Brit in the championship. And so his easiest route out of Red Bull has now been blocked, amid speculation he could quit for rivals Mercedes.

Despite the poor form of struggling rookie Kimi Antonelli, who finished pointless again on Sunday, Russell was by far the most likely Silver Arrows driver to make way if they had managed to lure Verstappen. Both Mercedes drivers are out of contract at the end of this year, as it stands.

But a new deal for Antonelli is still likely to be a formality despite his difficult run – his first F1 podium in Canada was his only points finish across the last seven events. And despite delays to Russell’s renewal, it is now expected that he too will put pen to paper on fresh terms in the coming weeks after a recent breakthrough in talks.

The 27-year-old told Sky Sports on Sunday that he does not expect to sign a new deal before the Budapest race. And a few days earlier he had claimed it was “unlikely” that he would secure his future by the summer break. But the one thing boss Toto Wolff was waiting on, the potential availability of four-time World champion Verstappen for the 2026 season, now seems to be out of the question.

Without an exit clause available, it would now take an enormous compensation offer – likely north of £100million – to convince Red Bull to part with their prized asset. Verstappen is contracted until 2028 and is believed to earn around £50m per year in guaranteed salary, before performance bonuses.

Whether he sees out that deal, though, will largely depend on Red Bull’s performance next term. Verstappen’s streak of titles will almost certainly end this year with McLaren dominating the grid and he will want to spend as little time as possible out of contention.

He turns 28 in September and has consistently indicated that he will retire from F1 racing comparatively early, even at times suggesting that his current Red Bull deal could be his last. He will want a title-winning car as often as possible and, if Red Bull are not competitive next year, when they will be using their own engines built in-house for the first time, then he is likely to consider his options.

Links to Mercedes are likely to resurface if they produce the best new engine, as they did in 2014 the last time the sport’s power unit rules changed. But, for now, the most eye-catching of 2025 F1 silly season stories seems to have reached its final chapter.

Toto Wolff’s team were keen for an agreement to be made after the final race

GEORGE RUSSELL is on the brink of a new £30million-a-year Mercedes deal with Max Verstappen set to stay at Red Bull for another year.

The British driver has been hashing out talks with Merc over the last few weeks, with just the final details to be fine tuned.

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George Russell is on the brink of a new £30million-a-year Mercedes dealCredit: PA

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Max Verstappen is set to stay at Red Bull for another yearCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Toto Wolff’s team were keen for an agreement to be made after the final race in Hungary this weekend before the summer break.

It is likely to be later though as Russell’s team go over the details of the new deal.

Mercedes had been keeping tabs on Verstappen but the Dutchman is set to stay put at Red Bull for 2026.

Following Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix he is now unable to activate a release clause that relied on him being outside the top three by the summer break.

The four-time world champion or Mercedes could still buy himself out of his deal that runs until 2028 – but it would cost a pretty penny and this option is not on Verstappen’s radar.

Verstappen is third in the standings 28 points ahead of George Russell in fourth after winning the sprint race in Spa and coming fourth in Sunday’s Grand Prix.

The Dutchman and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton are the highest earners on the grid on around £60m-a-year.

Meanwhile Russell’s new deal will see him roughly on par with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Mercedes suffered a disappointing run in Spa with Russell finishing fifth and Kimi Anontelli coming in 16th.

Frustrated Russell slammed the team’s weekend and said crunch talks would be held this week to get to the bottom of the team’s woes.

He said: “We really need to understand what is going on and why we’ve taken such a step backwards because these conditions (in Spa) are ideal for us and our car.

“It’s been the worst performance of the season so we’re going to have a big sit-down this week and try and figure it out.

“We need to sit down as a team. It may be as simple as reserving back to some of the old changes we’ve made. But in F1 it’s never that simple.

“The car isn’t feeling as nice to drive at the moment as it once did. Lacking rear stability.

“Kimi and I are collectively making more mistakes because the car is more challenging to drive. It seems quite strange how we’ve gone so far backwards.”

George Russell needs a new contract but that is a far less urgent problem for Mercedes right now than the issues they have with Kimi Antonelli and, most crucially, their car

Mercedes are scratching their heads over their performance decline(Image: PA)

Mercedes have summoned their drivers to a crunch meeting at their Brackley base today. At the top of the agenda is their car which has gone from being a consistently impressive machine in the early weeks of the season to a shadow of its former self.

The Silver Arrows started the year very well with George Russell leading their charge on track. Four podiums for the Brit from the first six races positioned Mercedes as a strong contender to be ‘best of the rest’ behind obvious pace-setters McLaren, while teenager Kimi Antonelli also adjusted well to life as a Formula 1 driver.

But since the European leg of the season began, things have gone awry. Other than a stellar Canadian Grand Prix weekend, which saw Russell take his maiden victory of 2025 and Antonelli his first ever podium in F1, it has been a dreadful couple of months for Mercedes.

Reliability woes have hurt them, but even more concerning has been the genuine lack of pace since introducing some upgrades. At the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, Antonelli finished well outside the points after a poor qualifying result, while Russell was fifth but a long way off the cars ahead.

“It was very underwhelming in terms of the performance,” said the 27-year-old afterwards, clearly frustrated with how the season is getting away from his team. He also called it their “worst performance of the season” and added: “We need to really understand what is going on and why we’ve taken such a step backwards.”

Mercedes are wasting no more time. Both Russell and Antonelli have been summoned, alongside the key heads of department, for that meeting at their factory as the team tries to get a handle on what is going wrong ahead of the fast-approaching Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend.

The car’s decreased driveability, particularly in qualifying spec, has contributed significantly to the struggles of Antonelli. Across the six European events held so far this year, three each either side of that red-letter day in Montreal, the Italian teenager did not score a single point. His record reads four DNFs, 18th place in Monaco and 16th place at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday.

That picture is made to look so bad partly because of reliability problems he has suffered. But more concerning for Mercedes, and what must surely be a priority for team principal Toto Wolff, is helping the youngster pick himself back up after he admitted in Belgium that he is suffering from a crisis of confidence as a result of his wretched run.

Antonelli was visibly emotional as he said after qualifying: “Since the European season, I’ve been struggling to find confidence with the car. I feel like I’ve done a backwards step. It’s just a difficult moment for me. I feel like I have no confidence on pushing… I’m trying to change the way I’m driving too much and it feels like I’m not driving naturally. It’s very forced, the way I’m driving.”

Mercedes need to sort out new contracts for their drivers with Max Verstappen almost certainly staying with Red Bull for now. But far more urgent tasks for Wolff are putting an arm around Antonelli to stop him spiralling further, and giving both he and Russell a car in which they can place their trust again.

The relationship between Lewis Hamilton and his Ferrari engineers has been the subject of much scrutiny throughout this difficult debut season in red for the Brit

A change has been made to Lewis Hamilton’s engineering team(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Ferrari have confirmed a change to Lewis Hamilton’s engineering team. But the new addition led to extra issues at the Belgian Grand Prix as the seven-time Formula 1 champion’s new colleague adjusts to their new position.

There has been plenty of scrutiny on the Ferrari engineers who have been working most closely with Hamilton ever since his switch to the Scuderia. Most notably, the relationship between the Brit and his race engineer Riccardo Adami has been repeatedly called into question amid a swathe of tense radio conversations.

Hamilton has continued to insist, in public at least, that he has not problem at all with Adami and that they are working together well behind the scenes. And Ferrari seem to be happy with that situation too as the Italian remains in that post, having previously served as race engineer to Carlos Sainz before the Brit’s arrival.

But there has been a change to Hamilton’s engineering team at large, which actually took place ahead of the Belgian GP weekend. Ferrari have now confirmed that a new performance engineer was brought into the fold – a figure who has not been named publicly by the team, but who the racer has worked with before.

“It’s not easy to switch engineers within the middle of the season, but it’s someone that I’ve known for years [and was] actually from my previous team with me, but not in that position,” Hamilton confirmed. “So we’re getting used to each other and having to learn super, super quick.”

It was a rough weekend for Hamilton at the Circuit Spa-Francorchamps, which used the Sprint format. That meant just one hour of practice to get up to speed and it clearly wasn’t enough for the Brit who suffered double Q1 exits in both qualifying sessions.

But he did recover well in the race to finish seventh and, even though the change to his engineering team made it even trickier for them to get the balance of the car right in Belgium, Hamilton sounded optimistic about what benefits the change might bring in the coming weeks and months.

He added: “I think the changes that we had [to the car this weekend] really caught both of us out, but I think we did a great job overnight and we’ll just get stronger and stronger together.

“[With the] change of engineer, we’re both in the deep end, basically. And I think we did a really good job overnight to rectify some of those tweaks and fine tune it. The car was so much better to drive today, so I had a lot of fun trying to make my way through.

“I think this one is definitely one to put behind me, [but] I definitely feel confident going forward. I learned more about the car today, fine-tuned it. I’ll set that up better for next week. I will be at the factory on Wednesday. So yeah, I don’t see why we can’t have better results moving forward.”