Hamilton aiming to equal Schumacher’s Belgian GP record and boost title hopes

Lewis Hamilton returns to one of his favourite circuits for the 20th consecutive year this weekend in pursuit of a victory for Ferrari to equal Michael Schumacher’s record six Belgian Grand Prix wins.

After finishing third behind triumphant Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc and fellow-Briton George Russell of Mercedes at his home British GP two weeks ago, the seven-time world champion is set to bid for an eighth.

Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli, who reeled off a record five straight ‘maiden’ wins earlier this year, leads the title race for Mercedes on 179 points, after nine races, 25 clear of Russell and 32 in front of Hamilton.

But the precocious 19-year-old has failed to score in two of his last three races while Ferrari have found resurgent form and unexpected power to score wins for each driver in the last three outings. His once luxurious lead of 66 points has halved.