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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc labels Mercedes as favorite for Belgian Grand Prix

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc believes Mercedes is still the favorite for the Belgian Grand Prix despite Ferrari's recent wins. Leclerc thinks Mercedes' car will be quick at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, where he won his first F1 race in 2019.

By Charles Leclerc·Jul 17·japantimes.co.jp·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc thinks Mercedes is still the favorite for the Belgian Grand Prix. He believes Mercedes' car will be quick at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, where he won his first F1 race in 2019. Leclerc's teammate, Kimi Antonelli, has been strong in recent races, but Leclerc thinks Ferrari can be up there this weekend.

Why it matters

The Belgian Grand Prix is an important event in the Formula One calendar, and Mercedes' chances of winning will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.

Charles Leclerc thinks Mercedes is still the favorite to win the Belgian Grand Prix because their car is quick at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. He believes that Ferrari can be competitive, but it will be a tough challenge for them to beat Mercedes.

Analysis

A Strong Favorite Still

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc believes Mercedes is still the favorite for the Belgian Grand Prix despite Ferrari's recent wins. Leclerc thinks Mercedes' car will be quick at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, where he won his first F1 race in 2019. This is because Mercedes has been consistently strong throughout the season, with their car performing well at every race. In contrast, Ferrari has had some ups and downs, with their car sometimes struggling to match Mercedes' pace.

A Surprising Win at Silverstone

Leclerc's teammate, Kimi Antonelli, has been strong in recent races, but Leclerc thinks Ferrari can be up there this weekend. Antonelli won at Silverstone this month, which was a surprise for many, including Leclerc. However, Leclerc believes that Ferrari's car was lucky to be strong at Silverstone, and that Mercedes is still the favorite.

The Road Ahead

The Belgian Grand Prix is an important event in the Formula One calendar, and Mercedes' chances of winning will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike. Leclerc's comments suggest that Ferrari will face a tough challenge in trying to beat Mercedes, but he believes that they can still be competitive. The outcome of the race will depend on a number of factors, including the performance of the cars and the strategies employed by the teams.

Key points

  • Ferrari's Charles Leclerc believes Mercedes is still the favorite for the Belgian Grand Prix.
  • Leclerc thinks Mercedes' car will be quick at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
  • Leclerc's teammate, Kimi Antonelli, has been strong in recent races.
  • Ferrari won at Silverstone this month, which was a surprise for many.
The Upside

If Ferrari can find a way to beat Mercedes, it could be a major upset in the Formula One season. A win for Ferrari would be a significant boost to their chances of winning the championship, and could potentially change the dynamics of the season.

The Downside

If Mercedes continues to dominate, it could be a long season for Ferrari. A string of losses could lead to a decline in morale and a loss of momentum, making it even harder for Ferrari to catch up.

Originally reported at

japantimes.co.jp

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsferrarimercedesformula-onebelgian-grand-prix

Author

Charles Leclerc

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Jul 17, 2026

Source

japantimes.co.jp

Share

Topics

ferrarimercedesformula-onebelgian-grand-prix

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