Lewis Hamilton cites Mercedes as top team ahead of Belgian GP
Autosport • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 18, 2026, 7:14 AM
Last updated Jul 18, 2026
Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes remains the team to beat at the Belgian Grand Prix following Friday practice at Spa-Francorchamps. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli recorded the fastest time at 1m45.944s, ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Hamilton’s Ferrari lagged by 0.747 seconds, prompting him to analyze the car’s performance, particularly in the middle sector. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur advised caution against drawing conclusions from the practice results, emphasizing that they do not always predict qualifying positions. The event continues with qualifying set for later today.
- •Kimi Antonelli leads practice with a time of 1m45.944s.
- •Hamilton's Ferrari shows struggle, 0.747 seconds behind the fastest time.
- •Qualifying is set to take place later today.
- •Vasseur cautions against interpreting practice results too early.
- 7:14 AMAutosport — Why Hamilton sees Mercedes as ‘still the team to beat’ at Belgian GP
- 7:11 AMMotorsport.com — Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes ‘still the team to beat’ at Belgian GP alongside McLaren
- 7:11 AMYahoo Sports — Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes ‘still the team to beat’ at Belgian GP alongside McLaren
"Lewis Hamilton has tipped Mercedes and McLaren to impress at Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix, after Ferrari seemingly struggled in Friday practice at Spa-Francorchamps. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli was fastest in 1m45.944s yesterday, leading McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by two tenths and half a second respectively. The lead Ferrari, driven by Hamilton, was 0.747s ...Keep reading
"Lewis Hamilton has tipped Mercedes and McLaren to impress at Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix, after Ferrari seemingly struggled in Friday practice at Spa-Francorchamps. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli was fastest in 1m45.944s yesterday, leading McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by two tenths and half a second respectively. The lead Ferrari, driven by Hamilton, was 0.747s ...Keep reading
"Ferrari seemed to struggle in Friday practice at the Belgian Grand Prix
Sources
External links- AutosportJul 18, 2026, 7:14 AMWhy Hamilton sees Mercedes as ‘still the team to beat’ at Belgian GP
Lewis Hamilton has tipped Mercedes and McLaren to impress at Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix, after Ferrari seemingly struggled in Friday practice at Spa-Francorchamps. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli was fastest in 1m45.944s yesterday, leading McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by two tenths and half a second respectively. The lead Ferrari, driven by Hamilton, was 0.747s ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comJul 18, 2026, 7:11 AMLewis Hamilton: Mercedes ‘still the team to beat’ at Belgian GP alongside McLaren
Lewis Hamilton has tipped Mercedes and McLaren to impress at Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix, after Ferrari seemingly struggled in Friday practice at Spa-Francorchamps. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli was fastest in 1m45.944s yesterday, leading McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by two tenths and half a second respectively. The lead Ferrari, driven by Hamilton, was 0.747s ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsJul 18, 2026, 7:11 AMLewis Hamilton: Mercedes ‘still the team to beat’ at Belgian GP alongside McLaren
Ferrari seemed to struggle in Friday practice at the Belgian Grand Prix
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- F1•Jul 18, 2026, 4:20 PMGeorge Russell Admits Mercedes Has Hit a Technical Wall: “Battling With One Hand Behind Your Back”
F1•Jul 18, 2026, 3:14 PMF1 2026 qualifying head-to-head: Belgian GP- F1•Jul 18, 2026, 5:08 AMHow Much Does The Winner Of F1 Get Paid?
F1•Jul 17, 2026, 5:23 PMAntonelli praises ‘massive turnaround’ by Mercedes after topping Friday
F1•Jul 17, 2026, 5:14 PMMercedes cars have turned up their power units, Norris says
F1•Jul 17, 2026, 3:00 PMKimi Antonelli admits he sometimes wishes he could go unrecognised as he opens up on rising fame
