Martin Brundle spots something ‘highly unusual’ in Lewis Hamilton onboard amid Belgian Grand Prix woes

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Lewis Hamilton was a shock casualty in SQ1 at the Belgian Grand Prix on Friday. He will start Saturday’s race from 18th.

The Sprints have offered Hamilton some respite in a difficult debut season at Ferrari. He converted pole position in China, and then finished on the podium in Miami.

But this was a nightmare session for the seven-time world champion on a weekend where a step forward was expected. Both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc tested a new rear suspension at Mugello last weekend, one that is forecast to make the car considerably faster.

Hamilton joined Mercedes successor Kimi Antonelli in making an early exit. Williams’ Alex Albon, Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto were also knocked out.

Martin Brundle bemused by Lewis Hamilton’s Belgian Grand Prix spin

SQ1 runs for just 12 minutes – six minutes shorter than the Saturday equivalent. Hamilton only had time for two runs, both of which were spoiled by apparent errors.

On the first error, he suffered a snap of oversteer at Stavelot, costing him plenty of momentum on his run through Blanchimont. A broadcast graphic estimated that he’d lost seven-tenths of a second.

That put Hamilton under pressure to deliver on his second attempt, and he was on course to progress through the first couple of sectors. However, the five-time Belgian Grand Prix winner spun on the entry to the final chicane, confirming his elimination.

Watching the replay, Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle said Hamilton was totally caught off the guard when he applied the brakes.

“His rear axle locked up under braking, highly unusual,” Brundle remarked. “I don’t think there’s anyone more surprised at that than Lewis Hamilton.”

Hamilton was silent on the radio after the spin, which meant the explanation was initially unclear. He’d complained of rear locking during the solitary practice session.

Charles Leclerc had already warned Lewis Hamilton that Spa could be an ‘incredibly difficult’ weekend

Hamilton will have 15 laps to gain 10 positions if he wants to score points on Saturday. He will then be able to adjust the set-up of his Ferrari before Grand Prix qualifying, which will offer him a chance to reset.

The teams could face a weekend-defining set-up dilemma, with rain forecast for Sunday’s race. Ferrari will be one of the teams hoping it stays dry.

Charles Leclerc says the car is ‘incredibly difficult’ to drive in wet conditions. If Ferrari have made gains, they may be disguised.

Hamilton has made the same complaint as Leclerc, offering a direct comparison to former team Mercedes. He won this race last year after George Russell was disqualified.