Lewis Hamilton brands Belgian GP "one to forget" despite strong comeback

Lewis Hamilton looks on the bright side after his recovery drive to seventh during the Belgian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton is keen to put the Belgian Grand Prix weekend behind him despite finishing seventh after starting from 18th.

The seven-time Formula 1 champion explained that he loves races where he is challenged, but after suffering from Q1 exits in both qualifying for the sprint race and the grand prix, Hamilton is eager to look ahead to next week's Hungarian Grand Prix.

"I always love races like that where you're challenged and having to make your way through the field," the Ferrari driver explained to Sky Sports F1. "That's really kind of like how my life started in racing at Rye House. We had a not-so-great go-kart, and we'd always start at the back.

"So, very reminiscent of that sort of thing and great work by the team. Ultimately, disappointed to have had not such a great weekend. Definitely one to forget, but at least I've still got some points.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images

"And we outscored Mercedes collectively. But I've got to go back, and you can't always get it right. And there are lots of factors that contributed to Friday, Saturday, which again some factors but ultimately me. And then obviously recovered a little bit today. But big thanks to the team. I will try and come stronger next week.

"I think I know the car a lot better now with all the changes that we've made. So I've got a lot more confidence now."

Hamilton's weekend turned around when he and his Ferrari team opted for an early pitstop, undercutting his rivals at the mid-rear of the pack.

"Yeah, I think it was good. I mean, I'm really working to try to finesse that, to get it right each time," he explained. "And I would say that's been an area for me that's not always been the strongest. In the last race, I thought it was maybe one lap too early. And I think this today was spot on. So I probably could have just about done it one lap earlier, but it was pretty much right."

Hamilton's team-mate Charles Leclerc crossed the line to finish in third place behind race winner Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in second.