Telemetry analysis: Charles Leclerc’s SF-25 still searching for balance at Spa | Belgian Sprint Qualifying. Telemetry data from the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying reveals McLaren’s clear advantage.

With the first day of on-track action at Spa-Francorchamps now completed, it is time to take a closer look at the telemetry data that emerged from Sprint Qualifying at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix. The results from this session were far from thrilling for most of the grid, given the enormous performance gap laid down by Oscar Piastri compared to all his direct rivals.

The Australian driver delivered an exceptional lap that left everyone else trailing behind. The first driver to follow him on the timesheet was Max Verstappen, who finished more than four tenths of a second adrift. Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc followed, both nearly eight tenths off Piastri’s pace. This result is yet another confirmation of the McLaren MCL39’s dominance on virtually every type of circuit it tackles. Let us now delve into a detailed analysis of the telemetry comparisons from Sprint Qualifying at the Belgian GP.

McLaren proved untouchable through every type of corner at Spa, and the advantage is not solely due to raw aerodynamic downforce. As has already been evident in several recent races, it is the highly effective combination of aerodynamic and mechanical grip that allows both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to excel. A key strength of the MCL39 lies in its stable and nearly flat platform, which remains consistently parallel to the track surface through most corners. This setup allows the team to maximize ground effect performance, generating significant downforce without compromising efficiency.

One of the standout features of the MCL39 is its minimal body roll. This characteristic, combined with outstanding aerodynamic efficiency, makes the car from Woking extremely difficult for any other team to match.

When comparing Oscar Piastri’s lap with that of Max Verstappen, the two drivers are quite close up until Turn 10, known as Pouhon. In fact, the Dutch driver had the edge all the way through to Turn 8 (Bruxelles). From there until the exit of Pouhon, the gap remains minimal, showcasing Verstappen’s remarkable throttle control and sensitivity—he lifts the throttle by only 20%, compared to nearly 40% for Piastri at that section.

However, the turning point comes at Turn 12, where the McLaren MCL39’s exceptional platform allows Oscar Piastri to begin building a decisive advantage. He is able to carry approximately 8 to 9 km/h more speed through the complex of corners that close out the second sector. It is right around Turn 15 (Stavelot) where the gap between the McLaren and Verstappen’s car starts to increase, eventually reaching four tenths of a second and remaining consistent through the end of the lap.

The story is quite different for Charles Leclerc, who is still trying to unlock the full potential of Ferrari’s newly introduced rear suspension system. At this stage, the setup window remains relatively narrow, limiting the Scuderia’s ability to explore a broader range of rear-end adjustments. Ferrari has not yet found the optimal balance that would allow Leclerc to fully exploit the updated rear suspension configuration.

With a setup that currently leans towards a softer balance, the Ferrari SF-25 showed some promising behavior in the first sector, particularly from the Les Combes chicane through Bruxelles and La Source. In these sections, traction and initial turn-in were not major weaknesses. However, the quick direction change at the end of the Kemmel Straight remains a challenge, potentially unsettling the car’s balance at high speed.

From that transitional point onward, McLaren clearly dominates. At Pouhon, Charles Leclerc is forced to lift off the throttle more than Oscar Piastri, which immediately costs him valuable time. Despite this, Leclerc’s SF-25 appears to display a tendency towards oversteer, a characteristic that suits his driving style. However, he still lacks complete confidence in the rear-end stability of the car, making it difficult to fully exploit its potential.

It remains to be seen whether the data collected during the Sprint session, combined with overnight simulator work at Maranello, will provide Ferrari with a better setup window for both the decisive qualifying session and the all-important Grand Prix scheduled for Sunday.