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What Max Verstappen’s race engineer said about Lewis Hamilton immediately after the Belgian Grand Prix: ‘big win…’

Originally posted on HITC | By David Comerford | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 9:36 AM ET

Lewis Hamilton extended his run of points finishes in the 2025 Formula 1 season, despite a tough weekend at Spa. The seven-time champion has managed to score in every race so far this year.

With Ferrari bringing significant updates, Hamilton was hoping for more than the six points he managed. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc had a much stronger showing, picking up a total of 20 points after a Sprint fourth and another podium finish.

Starting from the back following a Q1 exit for track limits, Hamilton felt good about how he climbed through the field. He gained 11 places during the race and made the most of what was a tricky situation.

The delayed start came under wet conditions, but the track dried out quickly as things got underway. The team’s improvements were clearly seen through Leclerc’s performance. He grabbed third place and looked competitive throughout.

While Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took his fifth win of the season, McLaren’s Lando Norris continued to lead in the championship standings after finishing second at Spa-Francorchamps.

Max Verstappen’s race engineer gives Lewis Hamilton credit for Belgian Grand Prix strategy call

Max Verstappen, meanwhile, went three races without a podium. He won the Sprint but couldn’t make any gains from his fourth-place start in the main race.

“Okay mate, that was P4,” he said. “Piastri, then Norris, then Leclerc, then us in P4. Behind you, Russell about 13 seconds.

“Then Albon sixth, Hamilton seventh – he stopped one lap earlier than everyone else for dry tyres, it looked like he got a big win out of that – and then Lawson eighth, Bortoleto ninth and Gasly P10. Yuki was P12.”

Verstappen has already conceded defeat in the title race because of McLaren’s pace advantage. With not much to lose at this point of the season there was probably a case to be more aggressive with strategy.

Ferrari are often criticised for their execution but relative to their starting positions they seemingly maximised their result on Sunday.

Laurent Mekies highlights key issue impacting Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in Belgium

Verstappen spent the early laps stuck behind Charles Leclerc, while Hamilton was making up ground from the back. But it’s worth noting that Hamilton’s Ferrari had a bigger speed advantage at that stage, especially compared to the Red Bull.

Ferrari team principal Laurent Mekies pointed out how difficult overtaking was at Spa, a sentiment Verstappen shared. Even Hamilton ran into trouble after his pit stop, getting stuck behind Alex Albon’s Williams.

Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Verstappen also had some engine issues to deal with during the race, mentioning ‘clipping’ down the straights over team radio. That could have played a role in his struggle to get past Leclerc.

The delayed start also added to their frustrations. While some drivers felt conditions were safe enough to begin racing earlier, race control decided visibility wasn’t good enough based on wider feedback.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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