Oliver Bearman claims slow F1 tracks boost excitement ahead of Spa: Hamilton disagrees

Oliver Bearman has argued that Formula 1’s 2026 rules reward racing on tight, slow circuits like Hungary: but Lewis Hamilton pushed back on 18 July, insisting Spa-Francorchamps remains the gold standard for wheel-to-wheel action.

What happened?

On 18 July, during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend’s media day, Bearman claimed narrower tracks with more slow corners would let drivers deploy full power more often. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, rejected that view outright, praising Spa’s ability to test both car and driver across its 4.352-mile layout.

The debate centres on the 2026 technical rules, which split power roughly 50-50 between a 350kW electric motor and an internal combustion engine. Spa’s long straights and energy-sensitive sectors force heavy battery use on entry and exit, leaving little margin for recovery before the next corner.

Why it matters for Oliver Bearman

Bearman’s call for slower circuits spotlights a growing split among drivers over whether the new rules are producing genuine racing. He singled out Hungary-style layouts as a fix, arguing they’d let cars run at full throttle more often than Spa’s energy-hungry straights.

Hamilton countered that Spa rewards skill under pressure, defending, and strategy: the kind of racing he values over pure qualifying theatre. “Monaco is stunning, but you can’t overtake,” he said. “The best thing is the racing: the pressure, the defending, the outsmarting.”

The energy puzzle at Spa

Spa’s Kemmel Straight, following Eau Rouge and Raidillon, has become a flashpoint. Drivers must deploy heavily out of the opening hairpin but face a long run to Les Combes with no meaningful braking zone to recharge the battery. That risks “superclipping”: cutting power mid-straight as the battery flags.

In response, the FIA made its first seasonal tweak to energy harvesting limits for Spa, aiming to curb coasting through key sections. Ferrari and rivals have also questioned whether overtakes now hinge more on battery state than driver skill.

What comes next?

Hamilton’s stance frames Spa as a track that forces drivers to push limits, not just manage energy. With the Belgian Grand Prix on the horizon, the clash over circuit types could shape how teams and the FIA adjust the rules before the season’s final stretch.

Bearman’s push for slower layouts may gain traction if more drivers echo his concerns. But Hamilton’s defence of Spa suggests the debate won’t fade: and the track itself will keep testing who’s right.