F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton Apologies For 'Unacceptable' Qualifying At Spa

Lewis Hamilton apologised to Ferrari after a disappointing weekend continued with another early qualification exit at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Hamilton will start Sunday's race at Spa in 16th, having been eliminated from the first session when his final lap time was deleted for exceeding track limits.

The loss of his fastest lap time means the Brit will start 13 places behind Charles Leclerc, who will start just behind the McLarens after enjoying contrasting fortunes this weekend.

That qualifying result follows a miserable sprint race, where Hamilton had also failed to clear the first hurdle and started from 18th on the grid after spinning out in his final lap of SQ1.

He then finished 15th in the short-form Saturday race, which was won by Max Verstappen.

And Hamilton made no excuses for his dismal performances in Belgium, telling Sky Sports F1: "From my side, another mistake. I really have got to look internally.

"I have got to apologise to my team because it's just unacceptable to be out in both Q1s.

"It's a very, very poor performance from myself."

Hamilton had not started lower than fourth in his previous eight races at the Belgian Grand Prix, and admitted he faces a struggle to earn points on Sunday.

"I don't think there's really much we can do [with the car]," he added. "I will just try and start where I am and see where I can get from there."

Leclerc finished fourth in the sprint race, behind Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, but pipped the Dutchman to the top of the second row with an impressive performance in qualifying.

It is the first time in three years that Ferrari have not claimed pole position in Belgium, with Leclerc starting at the front of the grid in each of the last two, but he was delighted to take third.

"I'm very happy. It's strange to say that because it's still 0.3s, and it's only a third place, but I did not expect it," he said.

"We thought we were quite a lot more back. We knew that we had something more in the car with the upgrade this weekend, but we still struggled [on Friday], but that was a really, really good lap.

"I don't know [if he can hold off Verstappen and catch McLarens], but for sure the race pace looked very strong - I couldn't keep up with them.

"But, again, with the small changes we have done, I hope this gives the upper hand to us in the main race."