Lewis Hamilton to start Belgian GP from pit lane after taking new power unit
However, Hamilton's Ferrari team have confirmed he will start at the back of the pack after taking on a new power unit.
An updated grid for the Belgian GP 🇧🇪 @LewisHamilton will start from the pit lane with a new power unit pic.twitter.com/WlYAWVaqEF
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 27, 2025
Hamilton described his performances so far this weekend as 'unacceptable' after he started 18th and finished only 15th in the sprint race earlier and then failed to progress to Q2 in qualifying for Sunday's main event.
Hamilton's best lap was chalked off by the stewards after he ran all four wheels of his Ferrari off the circuit at Raidillon.
'I don't agree (with the stewards' decision), but I'm out,' said the 40-year-old. 'It was another mistake from my side and I have to look internally.
'I have to apologise to my team because it is just unacceptable to be out in both Q1s this weekend. A very, very poor performance.'
Hamilton is without a podium for Ferrari – the deepest he has ever gone into a season without a top-three finish.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Ferrari told to snub Oliver Bearman for 'super' F1 rookie to replace Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton raised doubts over his own Formula 1 future at the Hungarian Grand Prix when he responded to his qualifying nightmare by saying Ferrari 'should change driver' Bernie Ecclestone thinks Ferrari should look towards two Formula 1 rookies when identifying a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton. But the 94-year-old former F1 supremo did not mention the name of Oliver Bearman who is the one actually being prepared by Ferrari as Hamilton's eventual successor. Hamilton's future is firmly in the spotlight right now as a result of his comments at the Hungarian Grand Prix. After qualifying 12th in Budapest, the seven-time F1 champion declared himself "useless" and said his team "probably need to change driver". His mood was not much better a day later when he failed to make any progress in the race and finished where he started, one lap down on the leaders. But Hamilton did at least tell reporters that he would be back after the summer break and that he still loves racing. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has also jumped to the defence of his driver and it is understood that the team is not even beginning to entertain the idea of replacing Hamilton, either during this season or before the end of his contract which currently runs until the end of 2026. If they were to make a change, they would in theory turn to one of their reserve drivers, Zhou Guanyu and Antonio Giovinazzi, both of whom are former F1 racers with Sauber, or British academy graduate Bearman who is currently plying his trade with customer team Haas and who is seen as Hamilton's eventual successor. But Bernie Ecclestone believes there are a couple of other rookies on the grid who should also be considered. "If I could steal him, I would take Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls," the former F1 supremo told Mail Sport. "He has done super well in his first year and is a great guy. I also rate our friend from Brazil [Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto ]. He is talented. Both of them are sensible, too." While it is unlikely that Hamilton will give up on his dream of winning an eighth F1 title just yet, Ecclestone believes it is time for the 40-year-old to move on. He said: "Lewis is very talented, was and probably still is. But, like a lot of leading sports personalities when they reach the top, there is only one way to go, and it is not a good direction. It is only down. Sky Sports launches discounted Formula 1 package This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £43 £35 Sky Get Sky Sports here Product Description "They get tired. Lewis is tired. He has been doing what he is doing forever. He needs a rest from it for good, a total reset to do something completely different. He may not think it, but he will soon get used to doing other stuff away from motor racing in retirement. I think he should have done it a while ago. The guy is not a cheat. But he would be cheating himself if he goes on. He should stop now. "If I were looking after him I would negotiate with Ferrari immediately and say, 'If you have someone to replace Lewis, he will step aside. He is not fighting for a World championship and is at a stage of his life when it would not be worth him spending two years laid up in bed with a broken back or anything else nasty. He does not need to take the risk any longer. He has won seven world titles and that is quite enough."
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
George Russell comes clean on retirement plan and private conversation with Novak Djokovic
George Russell has been given a pro tip by Novak Djokovic on how he can fulfil his dream of racing in Formula One for another 15 years and becoming a world champion George Russell has revealed he plans to race in Formula One well into his forties, just like Fernando Alonso. The Mercedes star opened up about what he's doing now to ensure his longevity in the sport after getting some private advice from Novak Djokovic. Russell, who has been racing in F1 since 2017, emerged as a bright talent at Williams before stepping up to Mercedes in 2022. The Brit, 27, managed to soak up knowledge from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton over a three-year stint as his team-mate, even finishing above him in the drivers' standings twice. Now the lead driver for the Silver Arrows, Russell is having his most consistent season yet, despite the W16's pace lagging behind some of its rivals. But with just four race wins under his belt and no world championships yet, he's still chasing his maiden title, while younger rivals like Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri could clinch theirs this year. When asked by TV personality Spencer Matthews on the UNTAPPED podcast whether he can see himself becoming a world champion, Russell responded: 'For sure, I don't know when it's going to come.' He went on to shed light on his meeting with record 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic at last year's Wimbledon before revealing his plan to retire in his 40s. 'I had a really good conversation with Novak Djokovic about human performance and what he's doing currently, but what he was also doing in his 20s. He said to me that in his 20s, he felt he could comfortably miss a day at the gym and it wouldn't affect him,' Russell said. 'But he didn't, and he's so grateful for that now because he thinks the work he put in during those years is allowing him to continue playing at such a high level into his late 30s. Formula One isn't as brutal on the body as tennis in terms of constant impact on your legs. 'But I want to be here well into my 40s, and when I see what Fernando Alonso's doing, that gives me inspiration that I can do that. "Someone told me this morning that Michael Schumacher won his first title at Ferrari when he was 32 years old. You usually think of Ferrari and Schumacher as utter domination. That's what I need to tell myself to stay motivated.' In recent months, there has been growing speculation that Russell could be replaced by his bitter rival, four-time world champion Max Verstappen, after Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was reported to be interested in poaching the Dutchman. However, with Verstappen committed to Red Bull for the 2026 season, Russell's position seems secure for the foreseeable future. The Brit has already been confirmed by Wolff as Mercedes' main man for next year, having done a solid job as the lead driver since Lewis Hamilton's departure. 'Definitely, he's staying,' the Austrian said in Hungary. 'The team is strong. He has shown it today again.' Russell clinched Mercedes' first victory of the season in Canada and has outscored his team-mate Kimi Antonelli 187 points to 64 just past the midway stage of the season, while securing five further podium finishes.
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Mechanic always tells customers buy this used car type over SUV
Nearly two decades on, the SUV market is still showing no signs of slowing down, but one car mechanic has suggested that drivers should opt for estate cars instead A car mechanic has recommended that motorists seeking to purchase a second-hand vehicle should choose estates rather than SUVs. For almost two decades, SUVs have been dominating the marketplace as car makers witnessed a continuous surge in appetite for this type of vehicle. In reaction to this public craving to sit elevated in massive and cumbersome giants, leading manufacturers have practically transformed into single-design producers. Everyone from Ford to Aston Martin, from Ferrari to Fiat, Peugeot, MG and others are producing SUVs. But not everyone is so enthusiastic. Car mechanic James Goodhand previously revealed what he believed to be the "world's most reliable" car. And now, speaking to ReachPlc, he has shared why used car enthusiasts should look beyond SUVs for their next vehicle and instead opt for an estate. Estate vehicles resemble SUVs but are more lightweight and sit closer to the road surface. They offer comparable load space but don't require defying physics to remain stable around bends. Furthermore, being conventionally lighter means they require less powerful and fuel-hungry engines to deliver equivalent performance. James said: "Largely personal prejudice here, but I always advise buying an estate car rather than the equivalent SUV. Who needs the extra height? "Take Volvo's big car offering for example - you can buy an XC90 SUV or a V90 estate. The V90 is a good 25% cheaper used, it's got more room inside, its faster, handles better, uses less fuel, and you're far more likely to be let out of side turnings in one!". Whilst numerous individuals remain critical of SUVs, one motoring expert has warned against making sweeping generalisations about a vehicle type that continues to grow in popularity each year. Writing for Auto Express, expert Steve Walker explained that ultimately, the public chooses to purchase SUVs because they simplify their daily lives, and shouldn't face criticism for this decision. He commented: "We would all like to see smaller, lighter cars that consume fewer resources in their construction and use, but 'SUV' is a lazy way of defining vehicles that don't conform to this vision. "Buyers want cars that are easy and affordable to live with. Legislators (in Europe at least) demand cars that are packed with safety tech and use electrified powertrains to lower emissions. Car makers want to turn a profit. The SUV is just what the compromise between these conflicting demands looks like in 2025." Given this context, several second-hand vehicle specialists are queuing up to assist buyers in selecting the ideal Sports Utility Vehicle for their needs. Chatting to the Express, the TikTok channel @CapturingCars endorsed the Hyundai Tucson. They stated: "It's reliable enough. They're a good car but the infotainment system on them is fantastic. Really easy to use, very well equipped. It's a good-looking car, reliable, reasonably priced, plenty out there to choose from for under £10,000. A clear winner."
