Lewis Hamilton endured a dismal Saturday at the Belgian Grand Prix, suffering a rare and dramatic double exit during qualifying. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion failed to progress beyond Q1—an unexpected and crushing outcome for the veteran driver. His performance in the earlier Sprint Qualifying session had already fallen short, meaning he was unable to break into the top 10 in either of the key qualifying events.
Hamilton’s struggles were compounded by issues with tyre grip and the balance of his Mercedes W15, which seemed unsuited to the tricky conditions at Spa-Francorchamps. These technical difficulties left him lagging behind his rivals, and his frustration was evident in his post-session comments. He pointed to the car’s handling and lack of grip as major contributors to his disappointing showing.
As Hamilton faltered, rival teams capitalized. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri shone in the demanding Spa conditions, showcasing impressive pace and control. Their strong performances highlighted the growing competitiveness at the front of the grid, in contrast to Mercedes’ continued struggles with consistency.
The low grid position now puts Hamilton at a significant disadvantage heading into the race. With rain forecast for race day, there may still be an opportunity for unpredictability, but it will require a major comeback drive if Hamilton hopes to salvage points. Starting so far down the order at Spa is notoriously difficult, especially when the frontrunners are in top form.
Overall, Hamilton’s early exits from both qualifying sessions mark a significant setback in his season, further emphasizing the challenges Mercedes faces in catching up to Red Bull and McLaren. The Belgian GP weekend has so far been one of disappointment for the British driver, and his fans will be hoping for a major turnaround come race day.
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