Leclerc says Mercedes still F1 favourites in Belgium

Charles Leclerc on Thursday said that Formula One leaders Mercedes are still the favourites for the Belgian Grand Prix despite Ferrari winning two of the last three races.

Leclerc won the British Grand Prix this month after seven-times world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton triumphed in the Barcelona-Catalunya GP in June.

Mercedes have won the other seven races, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli claiming five successive victories.

"For me, Silverstone and Spa are two tracks that will suit Mercedes a lot better," Leclerc told reporters at Spa-Francorchamps, the scene of his first F1 win in 2019.

"At Silverstone, it was honestly a surprise for us also to be strong. But we were also lucky on the Sunday because Kimi was probably as strong as what we expected.

"So, yeah, I think in Spa Mercedes is still the favourite."

Italian Antonelli, 19, started the Silverstone race from pole position but slipped to third before fighting back.

His progress was halted by a mechanical problem and a penalty for going beyond track limits, and he finished 16th, his second non-scoring finish in three races, with his lead slashed to 25 points over teammate George Russell.

"Our car has been quick at every race, so for sure I’d expect us to be up there," Antonelli said of his Belgian prospects. "But Ferrari were also very strong at Silverstone.

"It was a surprise, but to be fair, we always kind of expected them to be up there because, especially when it comes to qualifying, they seem to find some extra time.

"So definitely we think they can be up there this weekend."