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Verstappen's Undisputed Speed at Spa: Frontrunner for Victory
Max Verstappen is seen by insiders as the absolute favorite for the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix, a track where despite impressive speed, he remarkably often missed out on pole positions in the past.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-07-15T17:30:00.000Z - 2 min read
The Belgian Grand Prix at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps promises once again to be a thrilling spectacle, with all eyes set firmly on Max Verstappen this weekend. In the paddock, the consensus is unanimous: the reigning world champion is viewed as the ultimate favorite for victory.
A prominent team principal, known for his sharp analysis and years of experience in Formula 1, explicitly tips Verstappen as the man to beat. His prediction underlines the broad agreement regarding the Dutchman's exceptional qualities on this demanding circuit.
Yet Spa displays a curious pattern in Verstappen's career: although he consistently proves to be the fastest during qualification, that has not always translated into an actual pole position on the grid. On several occasions, the clock showed he set the fastest lap, but other factors intervened.
Multiple times, Verstappen set the fastest time on Saturday, only to be denied top spot on the starting grid due to grid penalties or other technical circumstances. Reportedly, this has happened to him no fewer than three times on the Belgian tarmac.
However, this statistic does nothing to diminish his reputation for dominance at Spa, where he frequently manages to convert his superior race pace. The expectation remains that, regardless of his starting position, Verstappen remains a serious contender for the top step of the podium.