Lewis Hamilton has the possibility to match Michael Schumacher’s legendary Spa file
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton heads into the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix with the chance to equal one among Michael Schumacher’s most iconic System 1 data. If Hamilton wins this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, the Ferrari star will declare his sixth victory on the Belgian Grand Prix, drawing stage with Schumacher as essentially the most profitable driver within the historical past of the occasion at one among System 1’s most well-known circuits.
At any time when System 1 returns to Spa-Francorchamps, Michael Schumacher’s identify isn’t removed from the dialog. The legendary Belgian venue is famend for spectacular corners like Eau Rouge and Raidillon, however it’s equally remembered because the circuit the place Schumacher constructed one of many biggest data of his extraordinary profession.
Following Ferrari’s latest progress with the SF-26 and the workforce’s rising confidence after Silverstone, Lewis Hamilton now has one other alternative so as to add his identify to the historical past books. Victory in Belgium wouldn’t solely strengthen Ferrari’s momentum however would additionally see the seven-time System 1 world champion equal one among Schumacher’s most enduring achievements.
Michael Schumacher’s exceptional file at Spa-Francorchamps
It was at Spa-Francorchamps that Michael Schumacher claimed the very first System 1 victory of his profession in 1992. The German would go on to dominate the Belgian Grand Prix all through the Nineties and early 2000s, including additional victories in 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2002.
His victory in 1995 stays one of many most interesting performances ever seen at Spa, with Schumacher combating his option to the win after beginning solely sixteenth on the grid. These six victories stay the all-time file for the Belgian Grand Prix, though the Ferrari legend got here remarkably near extending that tally even additional.
The 2 victories Schumacher may have added
Michael Schumacher may realistically have completed his Spa profession with eight victories moderately than six. In 1994, he initially celebrated victory earlier than being disqualified as a result of extreme put on was discovered on the picket plank beneath his Benetton.
4 years later, through the unforgettable rain-soaked 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher was comfortably main the race when he collided with David Coulthard whereas trying to lap the McLaren driver. Coulthard slowed unexpectedly within the heavy spray, leaving Schumacher with no likelihood to keep away from contact. The incident compelled the Ferrari driver into retirement and resulted within the well-known confrontation between the 2 drivers as soon as they returned to the pits.
Lewis Hamilton closes in on System 1 historical past
Schumacher’s file stands at six Belgian Grand Prix victories and 9 podium finishes at Spa-Francorchamps. This weekend, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has the chance to match that extraordinary achievement.
The British driver, who shares Schumacher’s file of seven System 1 world championships, has already gained the Belgian Grand Prix 5 instances, inserting him stage together with his childhood hero Ayrton Senna. Hamilton’s victories got here in 2010, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2024, making Spa one of the vital profitable circuits of his System 1 profession.
His most up-to-date Belgian Grand Prix victory got here underneath uncommon circumstances. Though George Russell initially crossed the end line first for Mercedes in 2024, he was later disqualified after his automotive failed the minimal weight checks, selling Hamilton to victory.
Hamilton can even level to a different event when he took the chequered flag first at Spa with out formally successful the race. Through the controversial 2008 Belgian Grand Prix, he overtook Kimi Räikkönen after reducing the ultimate chicane whereas trying to make use of the Ferrari driver’s slipstream. Though Hamilton crossed the end line in first place, the stewards later handed him a 25-second time penalty, dropping him down the ultimate classification and denying him one other victory at one among his strongest System 1 circuits.
Now, Ferrari arrives at Spa-Francorchamps with renewed optimism after the latest progress proven by the SF-26. If Lewis Hamilton can convert that tempo into victory on the Belgian Grand Prix, he is not going to solely ship one other main end result for Ferrari but additionally equal Michael Schumacher’s legendary file of six wins at one of the vital iconic circuits in System 1 historical past.
Jul 16, 2026
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
