Leclerc says Mercedes is favorite for Belgian Grand Prix

Despite Ferrari's recent victories, Mercedes remains the favorite heading into Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, according to Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque, who won the previous race at Silverstone earlier this month, made the assessment during Thursday's media day, acknowledging Mercedes' expected strength at the high-speed Belgian track.

Leclerc's win at Silverstone, following teammate Lewis Hamilton's triumph in Barcelona in June, marked Ferrari's second victory in the last three races. However, Mercedes has dominated the other seven rounds of the 2026 season, with 19-year-old championship leader Kimi Antonelli securing five consecutive wins earlier in the campaign. "For me, Silverstone and Spa are two tracks that will suit Mercedes a lot better," Leclerc told reporters. He admitted Ferrari's Silverstone performance was a surprise and credited some luck, as Antonelli faced significant setbacks that race.

Antonelli started on pole at Silverstone but dropped positions at the start, was slowed by a mechanical problem, and received a penalty for exceeding track limits, finishing a distant 16th. This non-score, his second in three...