Lewis Hamilton Battles Back After Practice Crash at Belgian Grand Prix

**Lewis Hamilton** survived a dramatic practice crash at the Belgian Grand Prix on 18 Jul 2026 and still managed to qualify P5, later moving up to fifth on the Sunday grid after a penalty to Lando Norris.

What happened?

During the final session of practice on Saturday, Hamilton clipped the rear of his Ferrari and damaged the chassis. The incident left the team with barely two hours to repair the car before qualifying. Mechanics worked feverishly, replacing damaged components and re‑balancing the setup. Hamilton returned to the track for the final qualifying run, but the car never felt as sharp as it did before the crash.

How did the qualifying unfold?

Despite the compromised machinery, Hamilton posted a solid lap that placed him fifth on the timesheet. The pole position went to Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, while Max Verstappen lined up second, George Russell third, and Charles Leclerc fourth. A post‑qualifying penalty for Lando Norris promoted Hamilton to the fifth spot on the starting grid for Sunday’s race.

Why does this matter for Hamilton’s championship hopes?

The seven‑time world champion entered Spa with a realistic chance of fighting for a podium, but the crash forced him into a recovery mode. He told the team, “The boys did a mega job to fix my damage after FP3,” highlighting the crew’s effort. Hamilton admitted the car lacked the grip needed for a pole‑winning lap, yet he remained optimistic about extracting points from the race.

What are the prospects for Sunday’s race?

Hamilton’s comments suggested he expected a tough battle ahead, especially with two Mercedes cars ahead of him. He noted, “We wouldn’t have been fighting for pole, because the Mercedes are just too fast, but we could have been third with the car we had in FP3.” The race will test his ability to manage tyre wear and overtaking opportunities on Spa’s high‑speed layout.

What comes next for Hamilton?

After qualifying, the focus shifts to race strategy. Ferrari will aim to improve the car’s balance for the long stint, while Hamilton will rely on his experience to navigate traffic and capitalize on any mistakes from rivals. A strong finish could keep his championship bid alive, even if the weekend started with a setback.