Ferrari in Belgium: Are Hamilton and Leclerc capable of winning? What team principal Vasseur says

Formula 1 ahead of the tenth Grand Prix weekend of the 2026 season: Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most iconic circuits on the calendar, with its unique combination of high speeds, steep elevation changes and unpredictable weather. This weekend will follow the usual format, with three free practice sessions, giving the teams more time to prepare for qualifying and the Grand Prix than was the case most recently at Silverstone, where the sprint format was used.

At 7.004 kilometres, Spa-Francorchamps is the longest circuit on the calendar, whilst Eau Rouge-Raidillon, the Kemmel Straight, Pouhon, Blanchimont and the Bus Stop chicane are among the most famous sections of the entire season. All of them demand an extremely delicate balance between aerodynamic efficiency, high-speed stability and traction through the more technically demanding sections.

The car’s overall efficiency is particularly important at Spa-Francorchamps: the long straights reward a car with good top speed, whilst the fast corners and rapid changes of direction demand precision and stability. Tyre management also remains a crucial factor, given the high stresses to which they are subjected throughout the lap.

Even the drivers are keen to see how energy management plays out in the Ardennes, on a circuit where there are relatively few braking zones in which to recover energy.

As is so often the case in the Ardennes, the weather could play a key role this weekend too: it is not unusual for rain to affect only one sector of the circuit whilst another remains completely dry, leading to highly changeable conditions and making strategy and adaptability crucial throughout the weekend. As things stand, Friday is the most likely day to see wet conditions.

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Spa: FP1

FIA Formula One World Championship

17.07.2026 - 13:15

Ferrari has already won 18 times in Belgium (that’s more than one in every four Formula 1 races in this country), a red car from Maranello has started from pole 17 times, a Ferrari driver has set the fastest lap 19 times, and the famous Scuderia’s works drivers have secured 52 podium finishes here.

Ferrari’s most recent victory to date came with Charles Leclerc in 2019 – it was the Monegasque’s first Grand Prix triumph at the time – and he followed it up shortly afterwards at Monza.

How does Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur rate Ferrari’s chances of victory? The Frenchman says: “We’re facing a particularly challenging weekend at Spa-Francorchamps. It’s one of the most demanding races of the year – due to the nature of the circuit and the fact that the weather in the Ardennes can change from one moment to the next.”

“We know we can rely on a strong team and on two drivers who work well together and push each other on every outing on the track. Our aim is once again to maximise our result and ensure that we execute every detail as well as possible, from the first session right through to the chequered flag.”