How Lewis Hamilton lost the 2008 Belgian Grand Prix after the ‘worst judgement’ in Formula 1 history

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Lewis Hamilton has claimed 105 Formula 1 victories across his career, with some being more significant than others.

He’s not far away from going one year without reaching the top step of the podium after a bit of a dry spell since joining Ferrari in 2025.

But there was once a time when he was in contention for victories at almost every race early in his journey with McLaren.

In 2008, Hamilton claimed the first of his seven titles by just one point over Felipe Massa, but there might not have been a title finale without one harsh decision.

The Belgian Grand Prix was a fascinating race that year, filled with drama and unpredictable weather. The winner of the event even changed post-race.

While Hamilton is quickly improving at Ferrari, his results are a far cry from those he experienced during his first few campaigns as a Formula 1 driver.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside of F1 from net worth to family

Lewis Hamilton lost 2008 Belgian Grand Prix win after the ‘worst judgement’ in Formula 1 history

Hamilton nearly ‘exploded like a volcano’ at McLaren in 2009 for having such a poor car to defend his first drivers’ championship with.

Just a year prior, he was fighting with Ferrari for top honours, and at times, it was a battle which threatened to boil over.

At the Belgian Grand Prix, it did. After overtaking Kimi Raikkonen by going off at the bus stop chicane, Hamilton did as any driver would do nowadays and surrendered the position immediately.

What the FIA and the stewards didn’t like was that he attempted an overtake immediately into the next corner at turn one.

Despite winning the race and celebrating on the podium, he was handed a 25-second penalty not long after, which demoted him from first to third.

Niki Lauda called it the ‘worst judgement in the history of F1’ at the time, according to The Times. Standards have changed a lot in the last 17 years.

What penalty would Lewis Hamilton receive in 2025 for his 2008 Belgian Grand Prix move?

While handing back the position after an illegal overtake is a requirement, nowadays, teams must use their own discretion as to whether they believe there has been a violation on track.

If they decide to play it risky and not hand the place back, they can be subject to a five-second time penalty.

In Hamilton’s instance, he did give the position back, which means there would probably be no further action for this move in 2025.

Although the immediacy of his following move could determine that he still gained an advantage in Formula 1 terms, which could see him receive a five-second punishment either way.

Looking back at the finish, a 2025 punishment would have seen him retain his victory. He won by 15 seconds, so five taken off his time wouldn’t have been noticed.