Analyzing the performance gap: Ferrari closes in on Mercedes after British GP. 2026 British GP analysis: Ferrari gains on Mercedes while rivals lose ground.

Watch the gap: 2026 British Grand Prix

Looking at the progression of the 2026 Formula 1 season, the British Grand Prix highlights a rather significant trend. After several races in which the performance gap between the teams had steadily narrowed and appeared to be converging towards a common benchmark, Silverstone produced something of a split in the competitive order.

After all, Silverstone is a circuit that not only places huge demands on the power unit—particularly in terms of energy management—but also requires an outstanding aerodynamic setup thanks to its spectacular sequence of high-speed corners.

The gap widens, but Ferrari is the only team to close in on Mercedes

As the data clearly shows, the increase in the qualifying gap between the teams was probably influenced above all by how effectively each driver managed energy recovery throughout the lap, as well as by the sections where they chose to extract maximum performance from the power unit. It is also worth considering Mercedes’ particular qualifying approach, which is based on an intelligent concept developed by its engineers.

That said, Ferrari once again took another small step towards Mercedes, becoming the only team on the grid to reduce its qualifying deficit to the Silver Arrows. It is another encouraging sign for the Maranello-based team.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have not yet managed to take a full Grand Prix pole position away from Mercedes—although Lewis Hamilton did secure the Sprint Pole at Silverstone—but the victories achieved in Barcelona by Lewis Hamilton and at the British Grand Prix by Charles Leclerc are clear evidence of Ferrari’s continued progress.

A difficult weekend for the rest of the field at Silverstone

Meanwhile, the gap between Mercedes and the rest of the grid increased, with Aston Martin and Haas suffering the biggest loss of ground compared to their rivals.

If we instead look at the drivers’ individual performances, the differences were generally very small, amounting to only a few tenths of a second at most. Franco Colapinto was the only driver who appeared to struggle significantly more than the others, although it should be noted that the Argentine made a mistake in Q1 that compromised his entire qualifying session.

Despite that setback, Franco Colapinto bounced back impressively in the race, bringing his Alpine home in ninth place, ahead of teammate Pierre Gasly.

Approximate qualifying performance gap chart