Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium – Max Verstappen made a strong start to the 2026 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix weekend by topping the opening Free Practice 1 (FP1) session at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

The Red Bull Racing driver set the fastest time of the session with a lap of 1:47.070, narrowly beating Ferrari duo Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in a closely contested practice session.

The opening practice was briefly interrupted by a yellow flag, forcing teams to carefully manage their running programs while balancing qualifying simulations and long-run preparations ahead of the race weekend.

2026 Belgian GP FP1 Results

(Based on the FP1 live timing data shown during the session.)

FP1 Analysis: Red Bull Finds the Right Balance at Spa

1. Verstappen Immediately Adapts to Spa’s High-Speed Challenge

Max Verstappen’s pace was the biggest highlight of FP1. Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most demanding circuits on the F1 calendar, requiring the perfect balance between:

• Low drag efficiency on the long straights
• Strong braking stability
• Sufficient downforce for high-speed corners such as Eau Rouge–Raidillon

Red Bull appeared to find an effective setup from the beginning, allowing Verstappen to lead a highly competitive field by a small but important margin.

2. Ferrari Emerges as a Serious Threat

Ferrari delivered one of the strongest performances of the session, with:

• Lewis Hamilton finishing second (+0.145)
• Charles Leclerc finishing third (+0.207)

Both Ferrari drivers looked comfortable through Spa’s fast corners and long straights, suggesting the team’s aerodynamic package is well suited to this circuit.

If Ferrari can maintain this level of performance, they could become Red Bull’s biggest challenger during qualifying.

3. McLaren Still Searching for the Perfect Setup

McLaren ended FP1 with:

• Oscar Piastri – P5 (+0.452)
• Lando Norris – P7 (+0.861)

Although McLaren has traditionally performed well at high-speed circuits, the team appeared to focus more on race preparation and long-run data rather than chasing the fastest single lap.

Norris will also face a 10-place grid penalty for the race after exceeding his allocated electronic control unit components, making race strategy even more crucial for the McLaren driver.

4. Racing Bulls Delivers a Surprise with Hadjar

One of the biggest surprises of FP1 was Isack Hadjar’s impressive fourth-place finish.

The Racing Bulls driver ended the session just 0.252 seconds behind Verstappen, putting the team unexpectedly close to the front runners.

If this performance continues throughout the weekend, Hadjar could become one of the standout drivers of the Belgian Grand Prix.

5. Mercedes Still Searching for More Performance

Mercedes showed promising but incomplete pace in FP1, finishing with:

• Kimi Antonelli – P6 (+0.533)
• George Russell – P8 (+0.889)

The Silver Arrows appeared competitive but were still working to find the ideal balance for Spa’s unique combination of long straights and high-speed corners.

FP1 Verdict: A Tight Battle Awaits in Belgium

The opening session at Spa-Francorchamps has already hinted at another exciting Formula 1 battle.

Red Bull currently looks strong with Verstappen leading the way, but Ferrari has immediately shown it has the speed to challenge. With the top three separated by less than 0.3 seconds, qualifying could become one of the closest battles of the season.

Red Bull appears to have the advantage in overall efficiency, Ferrari looks especially strong through high-speed sections, while McLaren and Mercedes continue refining their packages ahead of the main sessions.

The Belgian Grand Prix weekend is already shaping up to be a thrilling fight between the leading teams.