Did Lewis Hamilton's P18-to-P7 Belgian GP Fightback Prove He's Still F1's Master of Recovery?

Lewis Hamilton's climb from a pit-lane start to seventh place at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix demonstrated his enduring racecraft and resilience, even as Ferrari's broader performance issues continued.

Hamilton Turns a Nightmare Weekend into a Belgian GP Fightback

Hamilton's Spa weekend began poorly. He spun in qualifying, had a lap deleted for exceeding track limits and ended up 16th overall. Ferrari then replaced his power unit and suspension overnight, requiring a pit-lane start under parc fermé rules.

'It definitely felt like a weekend to forget', Hamilton admitted after finishing only 15th in Saturday's sprint. Teammate Charles Leclerc qualified third, highlighting Ferrari's inconsistent form.

Rain Delay of 1 Hour and 20 Minutes Complicates Hamilton's Challenge

Heavy rain delayed Sunday's race by 1 hour and 20 minutes. Drivers completed four laps behind the safety car before a rolling start was used. Hamilton suggested the FIA had been overly cautious, but others, including Leclerc and Oscar Piastri, defended the decision, citing Spa's history of serious accidents.

First to Switch to Slick Tyres: Hamilton's Bold Strategy Pays Off

Hamilton's comeback hinged on decisive strategy. On lap 12, he became the first driver to switch from intermediates to medium slick tyres as the track dried. The gamble paid off immediately, allowing him to jump into the points and overtake Liam Lawson shortly after.

Hamilton's pace on slick tyres was 1.2 seconds per lap faster than several midfield runners. By lap 20, he had climbed into eighth place. 'Sometimes you just have to trust your gut', Hamilton said. 'If we had waited any longer, the advantage would have gone'.

Eleven Positions Gained: Hamilton Named Driver of the Day

Hamilton gained 11 places to finish seventh, earning Driver of the Day honours. Leclerc secured third place, showing Ferrari could still reach the podium but also underlining the gap between their two drivers' results.

Hamilton's seventh-place finish extended his longest podium drought of his career, now at 13 consecutive races.

Ferrari 268 Points Behind McLaren in Constructors' Standings

Ferrari remain third in the constructors' standings but are now 268 points behind McLaren and nearly 56 points behind Red Bull. Their car continues to struggle with straight-line speed and balance, making it difficult to compete for victories.

'We're not where we want to be', Hamilton said. 'The car felt great in the race, but we need significant updates to close the gap'.

Leclerc's podium offered some encouragement, yet Ferrari's inability to consistently convert qualifying speed into race-day results is a major concern.

Why Hamilton's Belgian GP Recovery Matters for Ferrari's Season

Hamilton's Spa drive was a reminder of why he is a seven-time world champion. Starting from the pit lane is one of Formula 1's toughest challenges, yet he maximised every wet-to-dry transition, executed precise overtakes at Spa's fastest corners and managed his tyres expertly.

'Lewis was incredible today', a Ferrari engineer was overheard saying. 'We gave him a mountain to climb, and he delivered'.

Ferrari's title hopes remain slim, but Hamilton's Belgian GP recovery showed he can still deliver vital points when the car is not the quickest. Seventh place might not be a podium, but it proved his ability to fight through adversity.