At every Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton ’s name is always there or thereabouts when picking who will stand on the podium. It comes as no surprise as he is a seven-time World Champion after all. The 38-year-old holds the record for the most race wins in Formula One history, with 103, followed by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel with 91 and 53 wins, respectively.
The upcoming Belgian Grand Prix is one of the most popular and awaited events in Formula 1 racing. It is a long and challenging track with a thrilling and demanding layout. Its long straights, iconic Eau Rouge corner, and unpredictable weather conditions have historically produced some of the most memorable races in Formula 1 history.
Hamilton due to his experience in F1 stands a good chance of securing a top three finish in a GP. However, predicting his top-three finish at the Belgian GP is not without its challenges. In this article, we’ll explore the factors that could influence Hamilton’s chances and assess the potential outcomes of this fiercely contested race.
Hamilton’s Track Record at Spa-Francorchamps
Lewis Hamilton has a long and successful history at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Hamilton’s best qualifying performance at Spa came in 2020 when he set the pole position lap but he has also qualified on the front row of the grid seven times. Despite the success, he has had some challenges at Spa as well, retiring from the race twice, in 2009 and 2016 and multiple occasions of engine failure or malfunctions, costing him points on the grid. Overall, Hamilton has an outstanding record at Spa-Francorchamps.
Season Performance Leading to the Belgian GP
Lewis Hamilton has had a mixed season so far in 2023. In the first few races of the season, he struggled to get to grips with the new Mercedes car. His teammate George Russell often outpaced him, and he could only finish on the podium once in the first five races.
However, his form started to improve in the middle of the season. He won the Canadian Grand Prix and finished on the podium in the following two races. He also set the fastest lap in the British Grand Prix. Despite this, results are still mixed, finishing seventh in Austria and fourth in Hungary and then third in the British Grand Prix.
The Belgian Grand Prix is a long and demanding race, so teams must consider their strategy carefully. Hamilton’s experience, as well as tyre management and good judgement will be key in where he finishes, as will Mercedes’ team strategy as a whole.
Rival Competitors and Prospects
Without a doubt, Hamilton will face very tough competition at the Belgian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen, the current championship leader, is among the toughest he faces, as only the seventh F1 driver to win seven races in a row.
Hamilton must be at his best to finish in the top three at the Belgian Grand Prix. He will need to be able to match the pace of not only Verstappen but both McLaren cars, and be able to manage his tires effectively. If he can do all those things, he will have a good chance of finishing on the podium.
The weakness of Max Verstappen is his aggressiveness which could lead him to make risky manoeuvres, resulting in damage to the car. His long standing rivalry with Lewis, could also hinder or enhance the race, for both drivers, particularly as wins could break F1 records for either driver.
Belgian Grand Prix 2023 odds
Analysing the Belgian Grand Prix 2023 odds, it’s clear that Lewis Hamilton faces stiff competition, being listed at +1,200 for those looking to get expert insights from the top UK betting sites. The odds place him fourth overall, trailing Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and even Sergio Perez. Despite his current lack lustre form this highlights a challenging scenario for the seven-time World Champion.
Despite his history of success, Hamilton has been struggling somewhat this season with a competitive field, with Verstappen leading the charts with an explicit edge at -360. Even McLaren’s Lando Norris and Hamilton’s former teammate, Sergio Perez, are ahead in the odds.
However, considering Hamilton’s exceptional talent and proven ability to battle adversity, a top-three finish is still within the realm of possibility. It would be premature to count him out, even though his odds are longer than usual.
Summary
Lewis Hamilton is a strategic player and will likely play a significant role in the Belgian Grand Prix. He will face stiff competition at the Belgian GP, including Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Carlos Sainz. His Mercedes car has not been as competitive as in previous years but has shown signs of improvement in recent races.
The variables affecting Hamilton’s performance include the Mercedes car’s performance, the other drivers’ performance, and the weather. If the Mercedes car can perform well, and Hamilton can avoid any major mistakes, he will have a good chance of finishing on the podium.