resumes on the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the place Mercedes and Ferrari are set to resume their battle on the entrance after a dramatic run of races earlier than the summer time break. Kimi Antonelli’s dominant run has put Mercedes firmly in charge of each championships, however Ferrari’s latest resurgence has proven the Silver Arrows are removed from untouchable.
‘s victory at Silverstone injected contemporary life into the title race, whereas continues to construct momentum in Ferrari colours. Crimson Bull, in the meantime, will hope Spa’s high-speed format helps reverse a tough run of outcomes.
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Winner Kimi Antonelli (C), second-placed George Russell (L), and third-placed Lewis Hamilton (R) have fun on the rostrum on the 2026 F1 Chinese language Grand Prix.HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP through Getty Pictures
With one in all ’s quickest, longest, and most unpredictable circuits awaiting the grid, listed here are the 5 drivers finest positioned to battle for victory in Belgium.
5. George Russell (Mercedes)
enters Spa with a lot to show. The Briton has proven wonderful one-lap tempo all through 2026, however a has prevented him from absolutely capitalizing on Mercedes’ velocity.
George Russell along with his Pirelli Dash Pole award on the 2026 F1 Chinese language Grand Prix Dash qualifying. Sam Bloxham/LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures
Silverstone added one other disappointment after , and Russell now finds himself needing a press release efficiency to re-establish himself as Antonelli’s closest challenger. Spa’s mixture of lengthy straights and high-speed corners ought to present one other alternative for Mercedes to showcase the tempo that has made it the benchmark staff in 2026.
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If Russell can convert his qualifying velocity into race tempo, a return to the rostrum is nicely inside attain.
4. Max Verstappen (Crimson Bull)
Writing off at Spa is nearly unattainable.
The Belgian Grand Prix has constantly been one of many Dutchman’s strongest occasions, with the circuit’s high-speed nature complementing his aggressive driving type. Even when Crimson Bull has lacked outright tempo, Verstappen has typically extracted outcomes few others may handle.
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Max Verstappen crashes throughout qualifying forward of the 2026 F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Crimson Bull Ring. Photograph by Clive Rose/Getty Pictures
Nonetheless, Crimson Bull arrives in Belgium . Mechanical points, inconsistent race tempo, and missed alternatives have left the Milton Keynes outfit chasing Mercedes and Ferrari in latest rounds.
If Verstappen is to halt Mercedes’ momentum anyplace this season, Spa seems to be like his finest alternative.
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
Lewis Hamilton’s second season with Ferrari has gathered momentum over the previous a number of races.
Whereas teammate Charles Leclerc grabbed the headlines with victory at Silverstone, Hamilton has quietly delivered more and more constant performances and appears extra comfy with Ferrari’s package deal than at any level earlier this season.
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Lewis Hamilton holds his trophy in celebration on the rostrum through the 2026 F1 Grand Prix of Barcelona-Catalunya. Photograph by Kym Illman/Getty Pictures
Few drivers perceive Spa higher than the seven-time world champion. His expertise managing altering climate situations, tire technique, and Security Automobile restarts may show invaluable if Belgium delivers its trademark unpredictability.
If Ferrari continues its latest upward trajectory, Hamilton ought to as soon as once more discover himself firmly in podium competition.
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Charles Leclerc arrives in Belgium carrying arguably the strongest momentum on the grid.
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His emotional victory at Silverstone demonstrated Ferrari’s capacity to problem Mercedes on outright tempo. Extra importantly, Ferrari lastly seemed able to sustaining race-winning efficiency throughout a whole Grand Prix weekend.
Charles Leclerc lifts his trophy on the rostrum after successful the 2026 F1 Grand Prix of Nice Britain at Silverstone Circuit.Photograph by Clive Rose/Getty Pictures
Leclerc has all the time excelled on high-speed circuits that reward dedication by way of quick corners, making Spa one of many venues the place Ferrari may genuinely threaten Mercedes as soon as once more.
If Ferrari’s latest tempo carries over to Spa, Leclerc ought to as soon as once more be firmly within the battle for victory.
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1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
Till somebody constantly beats him, Kimi Antonelli stays Components 1’s benchmark.
Regardless of seeing his five-race successful streak come to an finish at Barcelona-Catalunya, the Mercedes rookie nonetheless leads by a cushty margin and continues to make remarkably few errors below stress.
Kimi Antonelli kisses his race-winning trophy on the 2026 F1 Japanese Grand Prix. Photograph by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Pictures
Spa presents a really totally different problem from Barcelona-Catalunya, however Mercedes enters the weekend with maybe probably the most full package deal on the grid. Antonelli has repeatedly proven a capability to adapt shortly to altering situations, a ability that would show decisive if the Ardennes climate as soon as once more turns into an element.
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Ferrari might have closed the hole, however the driver everybody should beat heading into the Belgian Grand Prix stays Antonelli.
Who Enters Spa because the Favourite?
Ferrari’s resurgence has made the championship battle significantly extra aggressive, whereas Crimson Bull will hope Spa’s distinctive format helps shut the efficiency hole to the entrance. But Mercedes nonetheless possesses the benchmark package deal, and Antonelli continues to extract virtually every thing from it each weekend.
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Spa-Francorchamps has a status for producing chaos, however momentum nonetheless favors Mercedes. Ferrari seems nearer than it has been all season, but till one other driver constantly matches Antonelli throughout a whole race weekend, the championship chief stays the motive force to beat in Belgium.
This story was initially printed by on Jul 13, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a
