Lewis Hamilton identified Mercedes and McLaren as the most promising outfits at Spa‑Francorchamps after Friday’s practice sessions, despite Ferrari’s late‑seat performance.
Timing highlights
Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes topped the session with a single‑lap time of 1m45.944, edging Lando Norris, red‑bull‑sponsored Max Verstappen, and Hamilton’s Ferrari by 2.1 and 5.7 tenths of a second respectively.
The Silver Arrow, driven by Hamilton, remained 0.747s behind the leading Ferrari car, signalling a gap in the middle sector that the Mexican team could not close.
Driver observations
Hamilton praised Mercedes for their consistent challenge throughout the season, saying the straight‑heavy layout of Spa‑Francorchamps was “exactly the format in which they are strongest.” He added that McLaren was delivering “high‑speed corner” performance, a trend that could translate into race pace.
When questioned about the faltering middle section, Hamilton remarked that “downforce” seemed a limiting factor, and that the car otherwise feels balanced. He noted the need for additional load without sacrificing the regular high‑speed capabilities.
Team comments and context
Ferrari’s team principal Fred Vasseur cautioned that Friday practice does not necessarily presage qualifying results. “The last three or four Fridays have not been a reliable indicator of pole,” he said, noting that only once among recent non‑sprint weekends did the Friday leader finish on pole.
Vasseur hinted that the use of different tire modes and fuel loads across practice periods makes direct comparisons problematic, suggesting that the next practice session will offer clearer insights.
As the weekend unfolds, the gap in the middle sector could prove decisive, with Hamilton suggesting a deep dive is planned to unlock more performance while preserving top‑speed advantage.
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