Hamilton puts full trust in FIA over Spa safety concerns

Lewis Hamilton has insisted he trusts the FIA to "make the right decisions" over safety in F1 as the sport returns to Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix.

The circuit is one of the most historic on the calendar but has come under fire in recent years over safety concerns, specifically at Eau Rouge and Raidillon.

A number of injuries have been sustained at the complex across varying categories over the past five years, as well as the tragic death of Anthoine Hubert in the 2019 F2 race.

Changes were made across the track to help allay the concerns, but the death of 18-year-old Dilano van 't Hoff in a FRECA race earlier this month led to new calls for change.

Similar treacherous conditions are predicted for the F1 Sprint event this weekend and asked if he harboured concerns over the safety of the race, Hamilton told media including RacingNews365: "It is not something I ever think about.

"It is not something you can ever let into your mind.

"But [I] trust in what the FIA are doing. I don't think we would be here if they didn't think we would be safe.

"I trust in them as they have done such incredible work over the last couple of decades, I trust them to make the right decisions going forward."

Pole leaves Mercedes 'optimistic'

Hamilton secured his 104th F1 pole position at last weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix - his first under the sport's newest technical regulation set.

The seven-time World Champion slipped back to fourth in the race, with a first win since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix remaining elusive.

"It [the pole] leaves us optimistic," said Hamilton.

"It was amazing to have that experience on Saturday, it shows that there's potential in the car and everyone's working incredibly hard to bring performance.

"The race pace was very good, we have understood what the issue was at the beginning, so we have got some upgrades here this weekend."