Lewis Hamilton has urged Ferrari to raise its level as the fight with Mercedes tightens ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion said it was “time to really crack the whip and do better” after Ferrari narrowed the gap in recent races.
Hamilton arrives at Spa just 32 points behind Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ standings. He is also seven points behind George Russell, who holds second place.
A Narrowing Fight With Mercedes
| Championship comparison | Current gap |
|---|---|
| Hamilton to Kimi Antonelli | 32 points |
| Hamilton to George Russell in P2 | 7 points |
| Ferrari to Mercedes in the Teams’ Championship | 78 points |
Ferrari’s recent progress has produced four podium finishes in the past five races. That run included Hamilton’s first Grand Prix victory for the Scuderia, achieved in Barcelona.
Hamilton credited the improvement to stronger weekend execution, a deeper understanding of the car and Ferrari’s development work. He said both drivers have helped push the car’s direction as the team seeks further gains.
Spa Brings a Fresh Test
Speaking on Thursday’s media day, Hamilton said he was unsure what to expect at the Belgian circuit because of its longer straights. Even so, he stressed that he loves the track, welcomed the weather and praised Ferrari’s incremental progress.
“It’s a combination of a lot of things,” Hamilton said of the team’s improved form. According to www.formula1.com, he pointed to better execution, improved car understanding and the work put into development.
Reliability Could Shape the Outcome
Ferrari’s pursuit has also been helped by reliability trouble for Mercedes. Antonelli failed to score in both Barcelona and Silverstone because of car problems.
Hamilton nevertheless described Mercedes as the strongest package on the grid. He said consistency and reliability can prove decisive in a championship fight, particularly when margins are tight.
“That’s no easy feat to build a fast and reliable car,” Hamilton said, praising Ferrari’s work on reliability. His focus is now on extracting everything possible from the car on every lap and taking every available point.
