Lewis Hamilton is once again firmly in the spotlight. The seven-time world champion has rediscovered his best form in his second season with Ferrari and is back in the hunt for victories, records and another world title.
This weekend, the British driver returns to one of his favourite circuits for the 20th consecutive year, aiming to claim a Ferrari victory that would see him equal Michael Schumacher’s record of six Belgian Grand Prix wins.
Hamilton heads to Belgium after finishing third at his home British Grand Prix two weeks ago, behind Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc and Mercedes driver George Russell, as he continues his pursuit of a record eighth world championship.
Mercedes teenager Kimi Antonelli currently leads the championship with 179 points after nine races, having claimed a remarkable five consecutive maiden victories earlier in the season. He holds a 25-point advantage over Russell, with Hamilton a further seven points behind in third.
Red Bull’s Verstappen has a trust issue with his car and will need to regain it fast if he hopes to stand any chance of challenging Mercedes and Ferrari.
The Dutchman, for whom Belgium is a second ‘home’ race – his mother is Belgian and he was born in Belgium – where he is always backed loudly by his ‘orange army’, aims to add to his three previous wins. But he departed Silverstone cursing a failed rear wing on his car for a second time.
After a disappointing home race in Britain, champions McLaren also need to prove a point.
Oscar Piastri won last year ahead of team-mate and defending champion Lando Norris, another son of a Belgian mother, with Leclerc, winner in 2019, third.
Energy management will once again be an issue on a power-hungry high-speed circuit with fast straights and sweeping corners, often prone to dramatic changes of weather leading to dramatic races.
“It could be tricky with the limitations on the straight, but historically, we have done well here,” said a hopeful Verstappen. “So, let’s see and hope for the best.”
