Ferrari Clears SF-25 F1 Car of Blame After Lewis Hamilton’s Belgian GP Spin — But the Controversy Isn’t Over
The Belgian Grand Prix delivered all the high-octane drama Formula 1 fans live for — but the spotlight wasn’t on the podium this time. Instead, it was on Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, and an unexpected spin that sent shockwaves through the grid. What made the incident even more explosive was that it involved Ferrari’s SF-25, Hamilton’s new machine for the 2025 season. But in a swift and highly scrutinized move, Ferrari has now publicly cleared the car of any blame. So, what really happened at Spa?
It all unfolded during lap 27 of the Belgian Grand Prix. Hamilton, then running in fifth and pushing for a podium challenge, lost control coming out of Eau Rouge — a notoriously treacherous corner. The car pirouetted across the tarmac before coming to a stop inches from the barriers. Fans held their breath. Commentators went silent. And instantly, fingers pointed toward the car.
Was it a mechanical failure? Brake imbalance? Tire issue? Many assumed Ferrari’s SF-25 — a machine already under immense scrutiny in its debut season — had faltered under pressure. After all, this wasn’t the first time questions had been raised about the car’s stability under load.
But in a detailed post-race analysis issued late Sunday evening, Ferrari’s engineering team struck back at speculation.
“Following a comprehensive technical inspection, telemetry review, and on-board data analysis, we have found no evidence of mechanical or electronic fault within the SF-25 chassis,” said Matteo Binotto Jr., the team’s current technical director. “All systems operated within expected parameters at the time of the incident.”
Translation? It wasn’t the car — it was the driver.
That statement, though diplomatic, has ignited a storm of conversation in the F1 world. Was Hamilton pushing too hard? Did changing track conditions catch him off-guard? Or is something deeper at play in this newly minted Ferrari-Hamilton partnership?
For his part, Hamilton addressed the incident with his usual mix of candor and professionalism. “It’s racing,” he said after the race. “You dance on the edge at a track like Spa. Today, I overstepped. No excuses.”
Still, his tone seemed to carry a weight — as if there was more left unsaid. And fans picked up on it.
Since joining Ferrari at the beginning of the 2025 season, Hamilton has faced a turbulent transition. The expectations were sky-high: bring championship pedigree to Maranello and finally break the team’s title drought. But the SF-25, while promising on paper, has yet to deliver consistent results on track. While teammate Charles Leclerc has managed to wrestle a few podiums out of the car, Hamilton has struggled with grip issues, understeer complaints, and now — a spin that could cost him valuable points in the title chase.
But Ferrari’s absolution of the car raises deeper questions. Was this announcement a technical truth — or a strategic PR move to shield the team from further criticism?
“They’re playing a dangerous game,” said former F1 driver and commentator Jenson Button during the post-race breakdown. “When you tell the world the car is fine and your world champion driver spun, you’re indirectly putting that on him. And that can strain relationships fast.”
Indeed, tension within a team — especially one as high-profile as Ferrari — can derail an entire season. The memory of Fernando Alonso’s fiery exits, Sebastian Vettel’s internal clashes, and even Charles Leclerc’s veiled radio frustrations serve as reminders that harmony is just as important as horsepower.
Still, Ferrari seems determined to stand by its machine.
“The SF-25 has passed every test, every simulation,” Binotto Jr. emphasized. “We are focused on optimizing performance — not rewriting blame.”
Fans, however, are split. Some applaud Ferrari’s transparency, saying it’s refreshing to see a team own its strengths and demand accountability across the board. Others believe the move could be the beginning of a toxic spiral — where the driver’s confidence erodes, and the media frenzy does the rest.
One thing is clear: the road ahead is more uncertain than ever for Hamilton and Ferrari. The next race in Monza — Ferrari’s home turf — will be a crucial turning point. A strong result could silence critics. Another incident could deepen the cracks.
For now, the spin at Spa is more than just a racing mishap. It’s a symbol. A reminder that even the best can falter, and even the strongest teams walk a tightrope between glory and implosion.
As Hamilton puts it: “You don’t win titles in the easy races. You win them in the hard ones. This one hurt. But we learn. And we come back.”
The question is — will Ferrari come back with him?
