Hamilton issues stark verdict as battery management fears confirmed

Speaking at the end of Friday's running, Hamilton admitted Ferrari looked stronger than expected in FP1 before the rest of the field found more pace in FP2, describing the latter as a more realistic picture of the order. He added that the car felt good overall but identified the middle sector as the team's main weakness, with Ferrari still trying to understand the cause.

The seven-time world champion also praised the SF-26 through the corners but admitted battery management on the straights remains a big limitation, expressing hope the issue can be resolved in the future.

Asked whether Ferrari would continue experimenting with different deployment strategies, Hamilton suggested the team is already close to its ideal operating window. However, he admitted there is still room for improvement and said Ferrari will run further simulations overnight in the hope of finding a more optimal setup ahead of Saturday, while also pointing to the gusty conditions at Spa.

Finally, when discussing the expected pecking order for the weekend, Hamilton singled out Mercedes as the benchmark, pointing to the team's consistent form throughout the season and suggesting Spa's long straights should further play to its strengths. He also highlighted McLaren as another major contender, praising the car's performance through medium- and high-speed corners.

Earlier today, the FIA issued its verdict after Ferrari was investigated for breaching a procedural regulation between the opening and second practice sessions of the Belgian Grand Prix.

The Maranello-based team was placed under investigation after electronically returning two sets of dry-weather tyres for both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton following FP1. However, the physical tyres were not returned to the designated supplier before FP2 began, putting Ferrari in breach of Article B6.4.2. After hearing from the team's representative in both cases, the FIA opted to impose a €5,000 fine.