Lewis Hamilton shocked fans with his unexpected elimination in Q1 during the Sprint qualifying session at Spa. The British driver openly admitted fault: “It’s on me. First time in my career.”
Driving his Ferrari SF-25, Hamilton struggled from the beginning of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. Despite placing seventh in free practice, he never found a stable balance. Spa’s wet and demanding track didn’t help. The conditions proved tricky for even the most seasoned drivers.
During his first flying lap in Sprint Qualifying, Hamilton made a small error at Stavelot. It cost him around seven tenths of a second. Forced to attempt a second lap, he approached the Bus Stop chicane with determination. But that’s where everything unraveled. His rear tires locked instantly under braking. The result: a dramatic spin that caused his elimination from Q1. Replay footage clearly showed the loss of control.
Hamilton takes full responsibility
Interviewed right after the incident, Lewis Hamilton didn’t shift blame: “It’s me. That’s all. I made the mistake.” This frank admission resonated with many fans, used to hearing technical excuses. But not this time.
The seven-time world champion seemed genuinely upset, adding, “I worked hard. Being in this position isn’t great. Tomorrow’s a new day.”
Lewis Hamilton faced elimination even with Ferrari’s new rear suspension for better performance. When asked, he dismissed any improvement: “Didn’t feel like an upgrade. No difference for me.” The SF-25 appeared unpredictable under pressure. It’s a blow for Ferrari, especially on a weekend where results were desperately needed.
Looking ahead after the setback
Hamilton remains focused on Sunday’s main race. A bad Saturday doesn’t mean the weekend is lost. “Tomorrow’s a fresh opportunity,” he insisted. Spa has seen worse comebacks before. But this moment remains a rare sight : a champion admitting his flaw. “First time in my career,” Hamilton repeated. A sentence heavy with experience and disappointment.
