Following Lewis Hamilton’s triumphant drive in Barcelona, marking his inaugural win for Ferrari, McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella asserted that the Maranello-based squad now fields Formula 1’s superior chassis.
The Italian figure suggested that the Barcelona event presented “unequivocal evidence” indicating the SF-26 currently holds the speediest cornering capability, especially through medium-speed turns, although Mercedes maintains a comprehensive edge due to its more potent engine.
Ferrari brought the most substantial upgrade set to the Barcelona event, primarily focusing on an updated front wing and nose configuration, alongside a major overhaul of the car’s floor. This suite of modifications also encompassed alterations to the diffuser and sidepod elements, all designed to generate increased downforce, enhance aerodynamic performance, and improve stability.
On Saturday, Hamilton achieved a second-place qualifying spot, marking his inaugural front-row start for Ferrari, subsequently outperforming George Russell’s Mercedes on race day.
Despite uncertainty about whether he would have secured victory without the Virtual Safety Car period, which minimized his time loss during his last pitstop compared to competitors, Ferrari’s principal, Fred Vasseur, indicated that Hamilton possessed sufficient speed to overcome the Mercedes competitors regardless of the VSC.
Stella is convinced that the Barcelona track, typically a prime gauge for comparing vehicle capabilities, supplied sufficient proof to ascertain that Ferrari’s updated car now possesses the most robust chassis among competitors.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Photo by: Clive Mason / Getty Images
“This race, in my opinion, presents extremely precise signals,” Stella commented post-race. “I believe these signals, in essence, align with our existing understanding. These signals point to Ferrari currently having the chassis with superior performance.
“Our observations indicate that in the mid-section, particularly through medium-speed bends, Ferrari demonstrates the quickest cornering speed, though not necessarily the highest straight-line velocity.”
Conversely, McLaren faces ongoing development tasks. Lando Norris secured a third-place finish in Barcelona, aided by Kimi Antonelli’s early exit, yet he spent a significant portion of the event pursuing both Mercedes drivers.
“From McLaren’s perspective, we observe our competitiveness in high-speed turns,” Stella remarked. “For example, in corners 3, 9, and 14, however, we generally face difficulties with grip in both medium-speed and low-speed sections.
“There are extremely clear signs, consistent with our prior knowledge, that we must introduce more aerodynamic grip to the car, thereby applying greater load to the tires—and furthermore, we need to enhance our tire management during qualifying setup, particularly concerning the first corner, for example.
“We frequently observe time loss at the start during qualifying, yet in race scenarios such as this one, our goal is to decrease tire wear. This outlines a rather distinct plan from a performance standpoint. We are required to boost aerodynamic efficiency and implement strategies for more effective tire utilization.”
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
Photo by: Michael Potts / LAT Images via Getty Images
Stella anticipates Ferrari will maintain its competitive edge at the Austrian Grand Prix in a fortnight, though he continues to hold the view that Mercedes fields the most formidable complete package, considering both its chassis and power unit capabilities.
“Austria presents a somewhat distinct track layout,” he stated. “In Barcelona, stability, braking, and turning are paramount. In contrast, Austria involves more straightforward braking followed by entry into some low-speed corners. Therefore, it’s a marginally different venue from this one, but my expectation is that Ferrari will continue to be the quickest vehicle through turns.
“On a single lap, Mercedes likely stands as the superior car overall, accounting for both its structural and engine performance.
“Our objective for the upcoming events is to advance our vehicle through further enhancements, yet we are simultaneously aware that our adversaries will also introduce improvements. Candidly, our focus is on our own progression; we wish to ensure our car improves with each race. The outcomes, then, will naturally follow. Consequently, our utmost attention right now is directed internally, towards the necessary steps to refine our vehicle.”
