Lewis Hamilton has rebuffed suggestions from Oliver Bearman that racing on slow tracks has become more exciting ahead of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix.
Drivers are continuing to raise concerns over the impact of the 2026 technical regulations at Spa, with battery deployment at the centre.
The issue stems from the current generation of power units, which draw roughly half their output from a 350kW electric motor and half from the internal combustion engine. Spa-Francorchamps, at 4.352 miles the longest circuit on the calendar, is considered one of the most energy-sensitive tracks the cars have faced this season, with the battery expected to be almost fully depleted through the opening and closing sectors of the lap.
The long straights at the legendary circuit exacerbate the issue of battery capacity and radically different closing speeds, and cars are likely to decelerate in both qualifying and Sunday’s race.
The Kemmel Straight, which follows Eau Rouge and Raidillon, has been highlighted as a particular flashpoint, with drivers deploying heavily out of the opening hairpin but with no meaningful braking zone before Les Combes to allow the battery to recharge.
That has raised the prospect of significant “superclipping” through the middle sector, where electrical deployment cuts out before a straight has ended. In response, the FIA made a season-first adjustment to the energy harvesting limits specifically for this weekend, aimed at reducing instances of cars coasting through sections of the lap.
Bearman on Media day made the radical statement that he looked forward to narrower tracks with more slow corners like Hungary, as it will allow cars to deploy full power.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton firmly denied he sat in this camp, outlining his passion and enjoyment for Spa and similar circuits that challenge and reward in equal measure.
“No, these are the tracks that I’m going to do, even if they have a bit of a struggle for power and be slow into Turn 5 and Turn 18”, he said answering a question from Motorsport Week.
Lewis Hamilton makes case for circuits that promote “racing”
Hamilton then outlined his belief that circuits like Spa offer a racing product that locations scuh as Monaco cannot.
“Monaco – stunning place, beautiful country, amazing track for qualifying no matter what car you drive, but the least enjoyable race because you can’t overtake.
“Just me personally, I don’t race, my excitement is not qualifying, it’s the racing, it’s the best thing you can do, including the racing, having to outdo, try to outdo and outsmart the drivers who are racing with a lot of pressure, defending, all that kind of stuff, that’s more racing, that’s what I prefer.
So when you go to races and you can’t do that, it’s not great, not welcoming or satisfying.”
Hamilton’s comments come as several of his rivals have also questioned whether the sport’s new emphasis on energy management is producing genuine racing. Ferrari and other teams have pointed out that overtakes increasingly hinge on which car has more usable battery in a given moment, rather than being built through braking, positioning and driver skill in the way Hamilton describes valuing at Spa.
Discussion about this post