Title: Lewis Hamilton’s Rare Rear-Wheel Lock Incident at Belgian Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying
In a surprising turn of events during the Belgian Grand Prix sprint qualifying, Lewis Hamilton faced a rare rear-wheel locking incident that sent the seven-time world champion spinning. This mishap left him in 18th place on the grid for Saturday’s sprint race, marking a challenging moment in his illustrious career.
Hamilton described the incident as a career first, noting that his rear wheels locked while braking at the final chicane during his second SQ1 attempt. "I spun," he admitted succinctly when asked about the incident. When questioned if rear-wheel locking was the culprit, Hamilton nodded, acknowledging the unusual nature of the incident. "It’s the first time, I think, in my career," he shared.
The British driver expressed his frustration, stating, "Obviously I’m massively frustrated. A lot of work has gone in, and to be there is not really great." Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle characterized the incident as "highly unusual," noting that Hamilton’s rear axle failed under braking, a scenario that surprised even the champion himself.
Former driver and Sky Sports analyst Anthony Davidson was taken aback by Hamilton’s acceptance of responsibility for the spin. "It’s surprising that he’s taken the blame for that," Davidson remarked. He speculated that upon reviewing the data with his engineers, Hamilton might reconsider his stance. Davidson pointed out that the car’s performance played a significant role in the incident, stating, "No matter what he says, the car spun him around to a certain degree."
Ferrari had recently introduced a highly anticipated rear suspension upgrade at Spa-Francorchamps, but Hamilton found no improvement in the SF-25’s handling. When asked if the new components enhanced the car’s driveability, the 40-year-old shook his head in disappointment, saying, "Not great. There’s not really a lot to say."
These upgrades represented significant development efforts from Ferrari, making Hamilton’s struggles even more disheartening. His difficulties contrasted sharply with teammate Charles Leclerc, who managed to secure an impressive fourth place on the grid for the sprint race.
Despite the setback, Hamilton remains optimistic about the upcoming sprint race. "Tomorrow’s a new day, so we’ll try to… hopefully tomorrow will be better," he stated, looking to turn the tide after a challenging qualifying session.
The incident unfolded after Hamilton had already made an error on his initial SQ1 lap, placing him in the elimination zone. His second attempt seemed promising until the spin in the final sector prematurely ended his session. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri secured pole position for the sprint, highlighting the contrast within the Ferrari garage as Hamilton continues his quest for a podium finish in red after his earlier victory in the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint this season.
Stay tuned for more updates on Hamilton’s journey as he aims for redemption in the sprint race!
