Lewis Hamilton says the current Formula 1 season has turned into a development race as much as a competition on-track, praising Ferrari’s work rate while outlining Mercedes’ response.
Upgrades shaping the championship
Ferrari has pursued an aggressive upgrade path this year, bringing new parts at most rounds and improving the SF-26 to the point the team has become a consistent race winner. According to Hamilton, that strategy has closed the gap to Mercedes and produced surprises at circuits once expected to favour the Silver Arrows.
- Ferrari recent wins: Barcelona and Silverstone.
- Mercedes approach: frequent, smaller upgrades each weekend.
- Track factors: Hamilton notes Spa-Francorchamps’ long straights may favour power over downforce.
Hamilton acknowledged Ferrari’s progress in the opening nine rounds under the new power unit regulations and said Mercedes has been answering with a persistent programme of adjustments.
"So, you know, we went to Silverstone and thought we were going to be much further down on power, but the car was quick through the corners, so it was far better than we anticipated."
What Mercedes is doing
Rather than relying on a single major upgrade, Hamilton said Mercedes is delivering a stream of refinements. He described the engineering effort as continuous: teams are "making fine adjustments to it every week," he told select media, and the work aims to optimise the car incrementally.
| Team | Noted approach |
|---|---|
| Ferrari | Aggressive, frequent major upgrades |
| Mercedes | Steady stream of smaller, regular upgrades |
Looking ahead to Spa-Francorchamps, Hamilton warned that the circuit’s characteristics — notably its long straights — could shift the balance between the teams, potentially increasing the importance of raw power. Still, he expressed pride in the Mercedes group's commitment to continuous development as they chase improvements.
For Hamilton and local fans tracking the season, the exchange underscores how crucial engineering and development philosophies have become under the current regulations. The coming races will test whether Ferrari’s rapid upgrade cadence or Mercedes’ steady optimisation yields the stronger long-term advantage.
