Hamilton self-critical: "Vettel passed me like I wasn't there"

Lewis Hamilton saw his pole position getting undone early in the Belgian Grand Prix as Sebastian Vettel passed him in the very first lap, and the Brit was quick to criticize his own performance and Mercedes' lack of power compared to Ferrari.

The Brit did limit the damage by finishing behind Vettel, but the German now does get seven points closer to him in the title race, with the gap now being just seventeen points. Monza, next week's host of the Italian Grand Prix, suits Ferrari's car better as well.

"I did everything l could but he drove past me like l wasn't even there," Hamilton told Martin Brundle from Sky Sports F1 directly after stepping out of his W09.

"We have to keep pushing to try to catch up."

Mercedes will have to throw everything at Monza next weekend for Ferrari not to win, as the Italians' home race will prove to be a tricky one for Mercedes, who typically struggle on the track.