Mercedes now realise Ferrari may have big Belgian Grand Prix advantage despite their engine deficit

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Mercedes now realise that they must fear Ferrari for the victory in the 2026 F1 Belgian Grand Prix, as the SF-26’s intrinsic design may negate their engine deficit around Spa.

Ferrari have faced a power deficit to Mercedes from the start of F1’s 2026 regulations era, as their internal combustion engine (ICE) is at least 2% inferior to the Silver Arrows’ design. The FIA says Mercedes’ ICE is at least 2% down on Red Bull’s, and Ferrari’s is at least 4% worse.

To try to bridge part of their deficit, Ferrari debuted an upgraded engine in Austria, but it did not deliver the impact that the Scuderia had sought. It is believed that the Maranello outfit’s updated unit only gained five horsepower, so work is already underway on another upgrade.

Still, Ferrari have celebrated two Grand Prix wins in recent rounds, as Lewis Hamilton scored his first win in red in the Barcelona-Catalunya GP and Charles Leclerc won the British GP last time out. Leclerc’s win at Silverstone has also put Mercedes on alert ahead of the Belgian GP.

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Ferrari’s aerodynamic concept should ease their energy recovery fears around Spa

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Leclerc’s British GP win has made Mercedes ‘realise’ that Ferrari cannot be viewed as simply an ‘outsider’ for race wins any longer. Instead, the Silver Arrows feel the Scuderia can be a serious threat even at power-sensitive tracks such as Spa.

READ MORE: Leclerc wins the 2026 British GP under the safety car after Verstappen’s crash

While Ferrari’s SF-26 has a power deficit to Mercedes’ W17, the Scuderia designed a superb aerodynamic package through the bodywork and floor that will provide the pride of Italy an excellent platform for Spa’s middle sector and help them avoid problems like super clipping.

Ferrari expect some challenges with energy recovery around Spa, owing to the long straights between La Source to Les Combes plus Stavelot to the Bus Stop Chicane. But the challenge is unlikely to be as severe as at Silverstone, as Ferrari’s natural high downforce levels should let their engineers use ‘less penalising’ set-ups for Hamilton and Leclerc’s cars this weekend.

Mercedes’ fears relating to Ferrari’s competitiveness at the Belgian GP this weekend may go even further than their concerns relating to how the Scuderia will handle recovering energy, as well. It has also been reported recently that Ferrari will make changes to their cars at Spa.

It has been suggested that Ferrari will sacrifice their blown exhaust flap at Spa, as they think the Belgian GP will be the first race on the 2026 F1 calendar where the extra downforce the flap generates by aiding the rear wing will not be as helpful as the extra power it costs them.

Ferrari are believed to lose as much as seven horsepower by blanking off the lower part of their exhaust exit to blow the hot gases onto the lower part of their rear wing. This simple change for the Belgian GP could easily improve Hamilton and Leclerc’s straight-line speed.