Journal De Bruxelles - Hamilton laments lack of power and poor tyre performance

The seven-time world champion, who had claimed his first Ferrari win two weeks earlier in Spain, slipped from second to third in the drivers' championship behind Mercedes' series leader Kimi Antonelli, who finished third, and race winner George Russell.

"It was a very hard race, a really tough one," he said. "Being extremely hot and I didn't agree with any of my tyres today! My start wasn't really good and my getaway was poor.

"But I was on the attack, passed Charles (Leclerc) and felt it was not too bad on the first few laps – I was holding on for second behind George, but then the rears just dropped off.

"And on every set (of tyres) for some reason the balance was often very difficult."

He said he was six-tenths of a second down on straight line speed on Friday. "We are going to have to push really hard to see when we can get the next power upgrade."

His Ferrari team-mate Leclerc finished eighth.

Hamilton, who had an exciting early on-track battle with four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who finished second, added that he was looking forward to his home British Grand Prix next weekend at Silverstone where he has won a record nine times.

"I love Silverstone," he said. "But lots of straights unfortunately. Hopefully, the car will be in a nicer place there."

A.Thys--JdB