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Mercedes are now set to debut their low-downforce aero package at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix this weekend, as the Silver Arrows try to react to Ferrari’s surprising speed.
The Brackley bunch were the team to beat at the start of the year, as Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell flew out of the gates to dominate the early rounds. But Ferrari have put Mercedes under pressure in recent rounds after bringing two substantial upgrade packages.
Tension is brewing at Mercedes about Ferrari’s upgrades, as well, with team boss Toto Wolff calling into question how the Scuderia are not risking breaching the cost cap. Ferrari are also now showing that they can beat Mercedes, after securing wins in Barcelona and Silverstone.
Drop your podium prediction for the Belgian Grand Prix 👇
Mercedes will debut a substantial low-downforce aero package at the Belgian GP
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc winning the British Grand Prix last time out has particularly put Mercedes on high alert ahead of this week’s Belgian GP at Spa. The Ferrari SF-26 was not expected to suit the high-speed and power-hungry nature of Silverstone, but Lewis Hamilton also sealed pole position for the F1 Sprint at his home race ahead of Antonelli by just 0.011s.
READ MORE: How to watch the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, plus the weather forecast for Spa
With Spa also a similar circuit to Silverstone in that it is high-speed and energy management will be crucial throughout the Belgian GP weekend, Formula Passion reports that Mercedes intend to react to the ‘surprise’ speed that Ferrari are showing with a huge update package.
Mercedes are expected to be the favourites at the Belgian GP, but they will not rest on their laurels. So, the Silver Arrows will reveal their ‘very substantial’ low-downforce aero package at Spa, as they believe it will reduce drag and help Antonelli and Russell with their batteries.
Their idea behind the package, of which the exact contents are not reported, is to minimise the risk of Russell and Antonelli encountering major super clipping along Spa’s long flat-out sequences. The updates can also let the drivers rely less on the battery in the flat-out areas.
Lando Norris will serve a grid penalty in the Belgian GP for his fourth battery of the season 🚨 What can he achieve now at Spa?
Mercedes also plan to use their low-downforce package for Spa later in the 2026 F1 season at the Italian, Azerbaijan and Las Vegas Grands Prix, given the high-speed nature of Monza, Baku and Sin City’s streets. So, the data they gather at Spa will also help later in the season.
The Belgian GP is Mercedes’ immediate concern, however, and they head to Spa fearing that Ferrari might have an advantage over them in the Ardennes forest. It has also been reported that Mercedes fear Ferrari’s aero package may ease their energy concerns at Spa this week.
Like the Silver Arrows, the Scuderia are also expected to unveil an upgrade at the Belgian GP to reduce the drag of Hamilton and Leclerc’s cars. It is said that Ferrari will take an upgraded version of their Macarena rear wing to Spa that can also aid the car’s balance in the corners.
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