Lewis Hamilton could have completed fourth quickest in Friday’s second observe session for the Belgian Grand Prix, however the telemetry comparability in opposition to Mercedes championship chief Andrea Kimi Antonelli reveals a a lot deeper efficiency deficit for Ferrari. F1Technical’s senior author Balazs Szabo delivers his newest evaluation.
In accordance with the telemetry evaluation, Hamilton’s greatest lap of 1m46.691s was 0.747 seconds slower than Antonelli’s benchmark of 1m45.944s, with the vast majority of the hole coming not from the straights, however from a sequence of high-speed corners the place Ferrari appeared unable to match Mercedes’ efficiency.
Whereas Hamilton was aggressive in a number of sections of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, the Ferrari misplaced vital time by means of 4 consecutive quick corners, suggesting potential points with aerodynamic effectivity, tyre efficiency, or power deployment.
Ferrari loses closely by means of Eau Rouge and Raidillon
The opening sector instantly highlighted a weak spot for Ferrari. Hamilton misplaced round one tenth of a second on the principle straight approaching La Supply, however recovered the deficit after Flip 1.
Nevertheless, from the exit of La Supply by means of the legendary Eau Rouge and Raidillon complicated (Turns 2, 3 and 4), Antonelli pulled away considerably. Hamilton surrendered roughly three tenths of a second by means of the high-speed climb earlier than reaching the Kemmel Straight.
The deficit is notable as a result of Eau Rouge and Raidillon are among the many most demanding corners on the Components 1 calendar, requiring a mixture of aerodynamic stability, mechanical grip and confidence within the automobile’s stability at extraordinarily excessive speeds.
Hamilton was in a position to recuperate among the loss on the Kemmel Straight, gaining again round half a tenth between Flip 4 and Flip 5, the place Mercedes’ benefit appeared much less pronounced.
Excessive-speed corners expose Ferrari weak spot
The largest shock got here within the center sector, the place Ferrari’s deficit elevated dramatically. After dropping one other tenth between Turns 7 and eight, Hamilton matched Antonelli by means of Turns 8 and 9.
Nevertheless, the scenario modified instantly within the ultra-fast part consisting of Turns 10, 11 and 12. Via this sequence, Hamilton misplaced roughly six tenths of a second to Antonelli.
Such a big hole in a high-speed nook sequence is uncommon, notably as a result of Ferrari have been the field-leading automobile by means of the medium- and high-speed corners up to now in 2026.
One potential clarification might be Ferrari’s power administration technique. If the SF-26 was deploying much less electrical help by means of this part, the automobile may have been pressured right into a scenario the place it both ran out of battery deployment or required extra harvesting by means of the inner combustion engine — a course of also known as superclipping.
At Spa, the place lengthy full-throttle sections and high-speed corners place vital calls for on power utilization, managing the stability between deployment and recharge is essential.
Hamilton recovers in remaining sector
Ferrari’s efficiency improved once more by means of the ultimate a part of the lap. Hamilton gained again round three tenths by means of Turns 13 and 14, whereas the 2 drivers had been carefully matched from Flip 15 by means of the method to the Bus Cease chicane.
Curiously, Antonelli regained a bonus by means of the ultimate chicane, gaining roughly three tenths of a second, however Hamilton recovered a few of that point on the brief run from the ultimate nook to the end line.
The telemetry comparability means that Ferrari’s deficit was concentrated nearly fully in particular high-speed sections relatively than being a common lack of tempo throughout the lap.
Ferrari’s Spa problem
The comparability between Antonelli and Hamilton paints a transparent image: Ferrari seems aggressive in slower and medium-speed sections, however struggles considerably within the quickest corners of Spa-Francorchamps.
The six-tenths loss by means of Turns 10, 11 and 12 is especially regarding as a result of these corners are closely influenced by aerodynamic efficiency and power deployment.
If Ferrari can not resolve the problem, the group could face a troublesome weekend at a circuit the place effectivity and high-speed stability are among the many most necessary efficiency elements.
Mercedes, in the meantime, seems to have discovered a wonderful stability with Antonelli’s automobile. After Verstappen topped FP1, the championship-leading group responded instantly, with Antonelli’s lap restoring Mercedes because the benchmark heading into the rest of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.
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