Lewis Hamilton has called on Scuderia Ferrari to intensify their efforts as the team aims to close the gap to Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS in the 2026 Formula 1® championship. With the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps approaching, Hamilton stressed the need for Ferrari to build on their recent progress and push harder to challenge Mercedes’ dominance.
Currently, Hamilton sits 32 points behind Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship and trails George Russell by 7 points in second place. Meanwhile, Mercedes holds a 78-point lead over Ferrari in the Teams' Championship. Despite this, Ferrari and Hamilton have shown signs of improvement, securing four podium finishes in the last five races, including Hamilton’s first victory for Ferrari in Barcelona.
Hamilton attributes this recent upturn to better weekend execution, enhanced understanding of the car, and ongoing development work by the team. He acknowledged that Mercedes’ recent reliability issues, which saw Antonelli fail to score points in Barcelona and Silverstone, have helped Ferrari narrow the points gap. However, Hamilton emphasized that Mercedes still possess the strongest car on the grid.
He urged Ferrari to “really crack the whip” at Spa-Francorchamps, highlighting the importance of consistency and reliability in the championship fight. Hamilton expressed pride in the team’s efforts to build a car that is both fast and dependable, committing to extracting the maximum performance every lap. His comments reflect a focus on maintaining momentum and capitalizing on opportunities as the season progresses.
As the Belgian Grand Prix weekend unfolds, Ferrari’s challenge to Mercedes remains a work in progress. Hamilton’s call for increased intensity underlines the competitive nature of the championship and the fine margins that separate the leading teams. The situation also illustrates how reliability and execution can influence the points gap in the tightly contested series.
Hamilton’s remarks provide insight into Ferrari’s current position in the championship and the driver’s perspective on what is needed to close the gap to Mercedes. The Belgian Grand Prix will offer another opportunity for both teams to demonstrate their strengths and address the challenges they face in the title race.
