Uneven challenge with Mercedes, for now
At Ferrari, it was imagined that the Spa-Francorchamps weekend could be complicated for the SF-26 from the power unit point of view and this was the verdict on Friday, especially in the afternoon session. After placing on the virtual podium in FP1, Ferrari struggled more in FP2, when Mercedes stepped up with Andrea Kimi Antonelli thanks to a significant setup adjustment.
Read more Sainz invites Antonelli to calm down: “He shouldn’t have called me ‘idiot’ over the radio”
Hamilton was the best among the Maranello drivers, finishing the session in fourth position. The gap from the young Mercedes talent is however frightening: almost 8 tenths.
Hamilton urges the team
“Today we completed our work program and gathered a lot of useful information during the two sessions – Hamilton said at the end of the day – the car balance I would say is good, but there are still some aspects we can improve, especially in the second sector. Tonight we will analyze all the data with the engineers, refine the setup and look for those small improvements that can make the difference ahead of qualifying“.
Read more Leclerc: “There is room to improve our competitiveness”
The path is traced, but now it will be necessary to move from words to actions to change direction in a weekend that so far seems to have clearly taken the path of Mercedes #12.
Read more Antonelli-Ferrari: the gap of 8 tenths is not just the engine
