Lewis Hamilton vows to 'step it up' after Belgian GP setback

Lewis Hamilton has set his sights on a strong performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix after a self-admitted mistake cost him a shot at victory in Belgium. The Ferrari driver finished fourth at Spa-Francorchamps on 20 July 2026 but blamed himself for crashing in final practice, forcing a parts replacement ahead of qualifying.

What happened at the Belgian GP?

Hamilton’s weekend took a turn when he crashed during the final practice session on Saturday. The incident required significant repairs, limiting his qualifying performance. Despite this, he secured fourth place in the race, behind teammate Charles Leclerc and championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

Leclerc, who has been improving his form in the 2026 cars, finished just two seconds behind Antonelli. Hamilton’s fourth-place result was enough to move him back ahead of George Russell into second in the Drivers’ Championship, though he remains 45 points behind Antonelli.

Why the Hungarian GP is crucial for Hamilton

The Hungaroring has historically been one of Hamilton’s strongest tracks. He holds a record eight wins there and secured his most recent pole position in 2023. With Ferrari’s car expected to perform well on the circuit’s tighter corners, Hamilton sees this as an opportunity to bounce back.

'I need to step it up in terms of focus level for next week,' Hamilton told Sky Sports F1. 'We’ve got more upgrades coming, and the pace we showed as a team is encouraging.'

What comes next for Ferrari?

Ferrari’s recent performances at Silverstone and Spa have shown their competitiveness, particularly on high-speed tracks. Leclerc, who has been working to adapt his driving style, is also gaining confidence but remains cautious about his progress.

'There’s still a long way to go,' Hamilton said. 'I can’t afford weekends like this, but we’re improving, and that’s what matters.'

The Hungarian Grand Prix begins on Friday, with live coverage on Sky Sports F1.