Verstappen fastest in Belgian GP first practice, Hamilton second

Max Verstappen set the pace during the first practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday, edging out his main rivals in a tightly contested session. The Dutch driver clocked a time of one minute 47.070 seconds, securing the top spot for Red Bull. His closest challengers were seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, both of whom finished just shy of Verstappen’s mark. Hamilton was 0.145 seconds slower, while Leclerc lagged by 0.207 seconds. Verstappen, a four-time world champion born in Belgium, has claimed victory at Spa-Francorchamps on three occasions, most recently in 2023. He is currently vying for a historic sixth title, which would tie him with Michael Schumacher’s record. However, recent performances have been marred by incidents. In the previous two races, Verstappen suffered crashes at high speeds, prompting Red Bull to switch back to a more traditional rear wing design to improve stability. Hamilton, who has won the Belgian Grand Prix twice before, is looking to match Schumacher’s tally of six titles. His performance in the first practice session showed he remains competitive despite being in his late 30s. Meanwhile, Leclerc, the reigning world champion, continues to challenge for supremacy with Ferrari. Both drivers were visibly frustrated by their inability to match Verstappen’s pace, though neither expressed dissatisfaction publicly. Among other notable performances, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar finished fourth fastest, despite facing a grid penalty that will place him at the back of the field on Sunday. This comes as a result of engine-related penalties. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who secured the 2025 championship title earlier this season, came in fifth, showing the team’s continued competitiveness. Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old Mercedes driver leading the championship standings, placed sixth. His frustration was evident after an incident involving Williams’ Carlos Sainz, whom Antonelli accused of deliberately blocking him. “That guy is an idiot,” Antonelli reportedly said, highlighting the tension between drivers in close competition. Lando Norris, the reigning world champion and a former pole sitter at Spa, faced challenges of his own. Despite his past success at the circuit, Norris will start from a lower position due to a 10-place grid penalty, which adds pressure to his qualifying efforts on Saturday. His teammate George Russell of Mercedes finished eighth fastest, maintaining his position near the front of the pack. Racing Bulls’ rookie Arvid Lindblad and Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto rounded out the top ten, showcasing the growing strength of younger drivers in the sport. Meanwhile, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll encountered difficulties later in the session, running off the track into the gravel, which could signal potential issues for the team heading into the weekend. The first practice session underscored the intensity of competition at Spa-Francorchamps, where drivers push their cars to the limit on one of the most demanding tracks in the calendar. With Verstappen setting the benchmark early, the focus now shifts to Saturday’s qualifying sessions, where the true battle for pole position will unfold.