Belgian Grand Prix heats up after a dramatic restart
After three weeks of summer break, Formula 1 returned to the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit with enhanced drama. With nine Grands Prix missing, the championship chase is brewing, and Max Verstappen of Red Bull holds a commanding lead. The Dutch driver heads into the Belgian Grand Prix with an 80-point cushion over Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, yet Leclerc is not prepared to ease up. Recent F1 events have shown the sport can flip in an instant, and this weekend brings a fresh wave of penalties that will drop several top contenders to the back of the grid for engine changes, shaking up the order.
Leclerc had anticipated starting from the back at Spa while Ferrari completes a new power unit. Estimates suggest the build could add up to 15 horsepower. An unexpected twist came when Red Bull chose to use the fourth engine in Verstappen’s car, widening the potential for further shifts in the grid. To spice the scene even more, Norris, Ocon, Bottas, and Mick Schumacher are also in the mix of penalties, which means Saturday’s qualifying order could be turned on its head.
[Consulta la clasificación general del Mundial de Fórmula 1]
Carlos Sainz remains Ferrari’s strongest link and the principal challenger within the team’s lineup. The Madrid-born driver secured his second career F1 victory at Silverstone the previous Sunday and carried momentum into Friday’s sessions. He began the first practice with caution as wet conditions complicated the early running, while Free Practice 2 delivered the day’s fastest times in testing rain that foreshadowed a changing qualifying day.
On the wet track, Verstappen posted the quickest time (1:45.507), eight tenths quicker than Leclerc and about a second ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren. Fernando Alonso, who started the morning strongly, climbed to seventh with Alpine. Ocon faced gearbox issues that limited his running. The afternoon session was marked by persistent rain and cautious performances from the top contenders, with the focus on minimizing risks after a series of tense moments involving Hamilton and Schumacher.
[Consulta el calendario de la F1]
Heading into a Hungary break concluded with a Ferrari one-two and a troubled day for Verstappen, who began tenth after Red Bull endured another endurance setback in the third quarter. The Dutchman, however, demonstrated race literacy at the Hungaroring, turning a potential setback into victory, his eighth win of the season. This weekend, even with penalties looming, Verstappen could start as far back as 14th in qualifying if rules allow, and he will be hungry to climb again and chase another triumph.
Belgian Grand Prix. Free 2:
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:45.507
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) at 0:00.862
3. Lando Norris (McLaren) in 1:00.862
4. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) in 1:01.128
5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) in 1:01.142
6. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) in 1:01.386
7. Fernando Alonso (Alpine) at 1:01.468
8. George Russell (Mercedes) at 1:01.535
9. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) at 1:01.748
10. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) at 1:01.839
11. Alexander Albon (Williams) at 2:01.013
12. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo) at 2:01.110
13. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) in 2:01.151
14. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) at 2:01.274
15. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) in 2:01.360
16. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) at 2:01.437
17. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) in 2:01.701
18. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) at 2:01.912
19. Nicholas Latifi (Williams) at 3:01.105
20. Mick Schumacher (Haas) at 4:01.434