Verstappen starts fast in Practice 1

Max Verstappen led the opening session at Spa, putting Red Bull Racing on top out of the box. With the track dry and the sun out, grip built up steadily through FP1. The combination of a 24°C air temperature and 36°C track temp made for a stable baseline. Teams could focus on initial balance checks instead of weather gymnastics. Verstappen’s pace set an early reference for the field to chase into the afternoon. It was a clean run to the flag and a confidence-building start for Red Bull. Spa’s long lap always magnifies small setup choices, and FP1 offered quality data. The session finished with Verstappen listed as the winner of Practice 1. From there, the storyline moved toward Mercedes and a certain Italian rising to the top.

Antonelli sets the pace in Practice 2 and Practice 3

Andrea Kimi Antonelli took control of Practice 2, clocking the fastest time for Mercedes as clouds rolled in. Cooler air at 23°C and a 33°C track seemed to suit the package. The dry surface kept programs consistent, and Antonelli put the laps together. It signaled a strong balance and good confidence through Spa’s high-speed stretches. Practice 3 brought more of the same, with Antonelli again finishing on top. Air dropped to 21°C while the track sat at 34°C, and Mercedes still looked comfortable. Back-to-back P2 and P3 wins in the timesheets rarely happen by accident. It hinted that qualifying could go the same way if conditions held. By the time the final practice ended, Antonelli had momentum squarely on his side.

Qualifying: Antonelli takes pole for Mercedes

Qualifying ran in dry, sunny conditions at 22°C air and a warm 38°C track. The three-part session progressed as usual at Spa, with Q1, Q2 and Q3 sorting the grid. Antonelli kept his form from practice and completed the job in the final segment. Listed as the winner of qualifying, he secured pole position for the Belgium GP. Mercedes will launch from the front after a measured, quick Saturday. The track evolution rewarded confident out-laps and tidy middle sectors. With a long lap, mistakes punish, but Antonelli kept them to a minimum. The run plan and grip window aligned when it mattered most. It leaves Mercedes well placed for Sunday, with clean air into La Source.

No Sprint, all focus on Sunday’s Grand Prix

This weekend’s Sprint Qualifying and Sprint race at Spa were both canceled. That strips out extra points and any mid-event grid drama. It also means teams had a more traditional build into Sunday. Without the Sprint, tire allocations and mileage tilted toward race prep. The Grand Prix remains set for 44 laps on the 7.004 km layout. The full distance of 308.052 km will test efficiency through Spa’s long full-throttle sections. With the weekend officially in progress, the Grand Prix is listed as not started. Expect strategy to lean on undercut windows and traffic management through the middle stints. You can follow live timing flows, gaps and position changes on Sofascore as the race unfolds.

With Verstappen fastest in FP1 and Antonelli sweeping FP2, FP3 and qualifying, the trend line points at a Mercedes versus Red Bull fight on Sunday. Spa rewards cars that are quick in a straight line and kind on tires over long runs. Pole is a good start, but Spa rarely hands out easy wins. Track position, pit execution and clean air through Eau Rouge will matter. Keep Sofascore open for live pace reads once the lights go out.