Lewis Hamilton struggles to adapt after Belgian GP practice crash
Autosport • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 19, 2026, 7:06 AM
Last updated Jul 19, 2026
Lewis Hamilton experienced challenges during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix after a crash in free practice. Following the incident at Fagnes on July 18, Hamilton qualified just 0.002 seconds behind his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, finishing fifth in qualifying while Leclerc took sixth. Hamilton expressed that the car did not feel the same after the crash, indicating that he was struggling to regain confidence and performance. The next step for Hamilton will be the race itself, where he hopes to improve on his qualifying position.
- •Hamilton crashed during practice on July 18.
- •Hamilton qualified fifth, Leclerc sixth at Spa-Francorchamps.
- •Hamilton felt the car didn't perform as expected after the crash.
- •The race will provide Hamilton an opportunity to recover.
- 7:08 AMAutosport — Hamilton: Ferrari F1 car "didn't feel the same" after Belgian GP practice crash
- 7:06 AMMotorsport.com — Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari "didn't feel the same" after Belgian GP practice crash
- 7:06 AMYahoo Sports — Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari "didn't feel the same" after Belgian GP practice crash
"After smashing up his car in Saturday's third free practice at the exit of Fagnes, Lewis Hamilton qualifying just 0.002s behind Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc could be seen as a successful exercise in damage limitation, but that's not how the seven-time Formula 1 world champion views it. Leclerc and Hamilton qualified fifth and sixth at Spa-Francorchamps; a logical enough result on paper ...Keep reading
"After smashing up his car in Saturday's third free practice at the exit of Fagnes, Lewis Hamilton qualifying just 0.002s behind Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc could be seen as a successful exercise in damage limitation, but that's not how the seven-time Formula 1 world champion views it. Leclerc and Hamilton qualified fifth and sixth at Spa-Francorchamps; a logical enough result on paper ...Keep reading
"Lewis Hamilton says his repaired Ferrari Formula 1 car lost its balance set-up following his Belgian Grand Prix practice crash
Sources
External links- AutosportJul 19, 2026, 7:08 AMHamilton: Ferrari F1 car "didn't feel the same" after Belgian GP practice crash
After smashing up his car in Saturday's third free practice at the exit of Fagnes, Lewis Hamilton qualifying just 0.002s behind Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc could be seen as a successful exercise in damage limitation, but that's not how the seven-time Formula 1 world champion views it. Leclerc and Hamilton qualified fifth and sixth at Spa-Francorchamps; a logical enough result on paper ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comJul 19, 2026, 7:06 AMLewis Hamilton's Ferrari "didn't feel the same" after Belgian GP practice crash
After smashing up his car in Saturday's third free practice at the exit of Fagnes, Lewis Hamilton qualifying just 0.002s behind Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc could be seen as a successful exercise in damage limitation, but that's not how the seven-time Formula 1 world champion views it. Leclerc and Hamilton qualified fifth and sixth at Spa-Francorchamps; a logical enough result on paper ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsJul 19, 2026, 7:06 AMLewis Hamilton's Ferrari "didn't feel the same" after Belgian GP practice crash
Lewis Hamilton says his repaired Ferrari Formula 1 car lost its balance set-up following his Belgian Grand Prix practice crash
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