Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium – Lewis Hamilton suffered a dramatic moment at the end of Free Practice 3 (FP3) for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix after crashing his Ferrari at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. The incident happened just moments before the session ended, leaving Ferrari with a race against time to repair the car before qualifying.

Hamilton lost control of his Ferrari during the final part of his lap and hit the barriers, causing significant damage to the car. Over the team radio, the seven-time world champion immediately reported the situation, saying the car was heavily damaged, but confirmed that he was okay after the impact.

The crash happened at one of the most challenging sections of Spa, a circuit famous for its high-speed corners, elevation changes, and unpredictable conditions. The same area had already created problems for other drivers during the weekend, showing just how unforgiving the Belgian track can be.

Ferrari Facing Pressure Before Qualifying

Hamilton’s crash came at a time when Ferrari was showing promising pace at Spa. During FP1, the British driver impressed by finishing second fastest behind Max Verstappen, while Charles Leclerc also placed inside the top three, suggesting that Ferrari had a strong package for the weekend.

However, the FP3 crash created extra work for the Ferrari mechanics. The team must carefully inspect the chassis, suspension, and other key components to make sure the SF-26 is ready before qualifying.

For Hamilton, the incident is a frustrating setback after he appeared to be gaining confidence with Ferrari on one of the fastest and most demanding circuits on the F1 calendar.

Antonelli Leads FP3 as Norris and Verstappen Keep the Pressure On

While Hamilton ended FP3 in the barriers, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli continued his impressive weekend by setting the fastest time of the session. The young Italian driver once again showed incredible speed, beating Lando Norris and Max Verstappen at the top of the timesheets.

Mercedes’ strong performance in Spa has become one of the biggest talking points of the weekend, especially after Antonelli also topped FP2. The team now looks like a serious contender for pole position, with Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull still expected to fight closely.

Analysis: A Small Mistake Can Become a Big Problem at Spa

Spa-Francorchamps is a circuit where even a small mistake can have major consequences. The combination of high speeds, low grip areas, and long corners means drivers have very little room for error.

For Hamilton and Ferrari, the priority is now simple: repair the car and avoid further problems before qualifying. Any major component change or delay could affect their starting position for Sunday’s race.

Despite the crash, Ferrari’s performance throughout the weekend remains encouraging. Hamilton showed that the SF-26 has strong pace at Spa, but the team will need to stay calm and precise when the pressure reaches its highest point.