McLaren labels upgraded Ferrari best F1 chassis after Lewis Hamilton’s Barcelona win
Lewis Hamilton secured his first victory for Ferrari at the Barcelona Grand Prix, leading McLaren team boss Andrea Stella to conclude that Ferrari now possesses the best chassis in Formula 1. According to Stella, the SF-26 is the fastest car through medium-speed corners, though Mercedes maintains an overall advantage due to a more powerful power unit.
Why did Ferrari perform so well in Barcelona?
Ferrari arrived at the race with the most extensive upgrade package on the grid. These modifications included a revised front wing and nose assembly, a significant floor redesign, and changes to the diffuser and sidepod bodywork.
The team aimed to increase downforce while improving aerodynamic efficiency and balance. Lewis Hamilton qualified second on Saturday, marking his first front-row start as a Ferrari driver, before defeating George Russell’s Mercedes on Sunday.
While a Virtual Safety Car intervention reduced the time Hamilton lost during his final pitstop, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur stated that Hamilton had enough pace to beat the Mercedes drivers regardless of the intervention.
How does Ferrari compare to Mercedes and McLaren?
Andrea Stella told Motorsport.com that Barcelona provides clear indications of relative performance. He stated that Ferrari is currently the fastest in the corners, particularly in the middle sector, but not necessarily the fastest on the straights.
Stella noted that Mercedes likely remains the best overall car over a single lap when combining chassis performance with power unit strength. This creates a contrast between Ferrari’s cornering agility and Mercedes’ raw engine power.
McLaren currently struggles with grip in low- and medium-speed sections. While Lando Norris finished third following Kimi Antonelli’s retirement, Stella observed that McLaren is only competitive in high-speed sections, such as corners 3, 9, and 14.
What may happen at the Austrian Grand Prix?
The competition is likely to shift at the Austrian Grand Prix in two weeks. Stella described Austria as a different circuit characterized by straight-line braking and low-speed corners, rather than the stability and turning required in Barcelona.
Despite these differences, Stella expects Ferrari to remain the fastest car in the corners. McLaren intends to bring upgrades to add aerodynamic load to the tyres and improve tyre exploitation to reduce degradation.
The overall hierarchy may fluctuate as teams introduce new parts. Stella stated that McLaren will focus on its own internal trajectory of improvement while acknowledging that competitors will also bring upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific upgrades did Ferrari implement in Barcelona?
Ferrari introduced a revised front wing, a new nose assembly, a significant floor redesign, and changes to the sidepod bodywork and diffuser.
Why did Lando Norris finish third?
Norris finished third in part due to the retirement of Kimi Antonelli, though he spent much of the race chasing the two Mercedes drivers.
What is McLaren’s current performance weakness?
According to Andrea Stella, McLaren struggles with grip in medium- and low-speed corners and needs to improve how they interact with tyres during qualifying preparation.
Do you think Ferrari’s chassis advantage will be enough to overcome Mercedes’ power unit on different circuit layouts?