Hamilton Faces Unprecedented Setback with Spin Knockout in Belgian GP Sprint Qualifying
A visibly frustrated Lewis Hamilton experienced a shocking setback during sprint qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix on Friday, spinning out in a manner he described as unprecedented in his illustrious career. Meanwhile, his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc managed to secure a solid fourth place on the grid.
Hamilton’s troubles began at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, a track he usually relishes. He struggled throughout the day, initially running wide at Stavelot before facing the ultimate blow at the chicane, where a spin knocked him out of contention.
Veteran commentator and former F1 driver Martin Brundle weighed in on the incident, suggesting that a technical failure was to blame. “The rear axle of Hamilton’s Ferrari broke up under braking,” he noted, calling the situation “highly unusual.” Brundle emphasized that Hamilton would be just as surprised by the incident, adding, “It looks like a technical issue. It’s almost like the engine stalled out, locking the rear axle every time he shifted.”
Hamilton’s disappointing qualifying position of 18th out of 20 cars came just a day after he made headlines with his ambitious comments about winning a championship with Ferrari, contrasting his aspirations with the struggles of fellow former champions Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.
After the spin, Hamilton faced reporters with a somber demeanor. When asked what had gone wrong, he succinctly replied, “I spun.” He further reflected, “It’s the first time, I think, in my career that I had spun in that way. There’s not really a lot to say. Obviously, I’m massively frustrated.”
Despite the setback, Hamilton remains hopeful for a turnaround in the main race, stating, “A lot of work has gone in, and to be here is not really great. So hopefully tomorrow will be better.”
