Lewis Hamilton returns to one of his favorite tracks for the twentieth consecutive time as part of the Belgian Grand Prix, aiming to win for Ferrari and match Michael Schumacher's record of six victories at this Grand Prix.
Championship Rivalry
After finishing third two weeks ago at his home Grand Prix in Great Britain, behind his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and George Russell from Mercedes, the seven-time champion is determined to secure his first victory in the red car at the Spa circuit.
The Italian teenager Kimmy Antonelli leads the title race, having won five consecutive races without a defeat at the start of the year. He has 179 points after nine races, leading Russell by twenty-five points and Hamilton by thirty-two points.
Mercedes Team Issues
However, this young driver failed to score points in two of the last three races, while Ferrari demonstrated increased form and unexpected power, securing wins for both its drivers in the last three starts. Antonelli's previous advantage of 66 points has shrunk.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff admitted that reliability issues cost the team points. He noted: 'In such a competitive championship, we cannot afford that. There is no point in having speed if we are not getting results.'
Spa Circuit History
Last year, Antonelli experienced a difficult weekend at the majestic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, located in the forests of the Belgian Ardennes. He qualified in nineteenth place, started from the pit lane, and finished in sixteenth place in a atmosphere of disappointment during his debut season.
He had a similar frustrating experience at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2025, where he was overtaken twice and finished eighteenth. Nevertheless, his position has changed drastically this year. In May, he brilliantly won the Prince of Asturias, famously diving into the harbor to celebrate his fifth consecutive victory.
Competitors and Chances
If the car is reliable and Mercedes restores its advantage in power and straight-line speed, Antonelli and Russell will be the main contenders. Nevertheless, Hamilton, with vast experience and renewed enthusiasm, remains a serious competitor, as does four-time champion Max Verstappen.
Hamilton could already hold the absolute record for victories in Belgium if not for some unfortunate circumstances in the past, especially in 2008, when he first crossed the finish line in heavy rain, but his victory was annulled due to a controversial 25-second penalty after the race.
This time he will be eighteen years wiser and hopes that the resurgence of Ferrari, especially their impressive straight-line speed, will help him enter the main fight. This hope also applies to Leclerc, as well as Verstappen from Red Bull, provided the Dutchman regains confidence in his car.
Verstappen's Situation
For Verstappen, Belgium is the second 'home' race: his mother is Belgian, he was born in the country, and always enjoys fierce support from his fans, known as the 'Orange Army'. He aims to add to his three previous victories at Spa.
However, he left Silverstone in anger over the rear wing failure on his RB22 for the second time in three races following a disappointing race in his homeland.
Other Race Participants
The reigning McLaren champions must also prove their worth after an unsuccessful race in their home race in Silverstone. Last year, Oscar Piastri won here ahead of his teammate Lando Norris—another driver with a Belgian mother. Leclerc took third place, the 2019 winner.
Energy management will once again be a critical factor on the high-speed, power-demanding track, which is characterized by long straights and wide corners often subject to sharp microclimate changes.
Verstappen expressed hope: 'It might be difficult because of the straight-line restrictions, but historically we have done well here. So let's see and hope for the best.'
