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Unexpectedly fast Verstappen tops opening practice for Belgian GP
Max Verstappen finished first free practice for the Belgian Grand Prix with the fastest time, a surprise given prevailing expectations.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-07-17T12:46:35.000Z - 1 min read
Max Verstappen set the fastest lap during the opening session of the Belgian Grand Prix, FP1. The Dutchman managed to stay ahead of his rivals at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps.
Verstappen's pace came as a surprise to many observers. The performance in the opening session immediately set the tone, despite expectations prior to the race weekend perhaps suggesting otherwise.
It is common practice for teams to experiment with set-ups and tyres in FP1, but Verstappen's pace was instantly impressive, sending an immediate signal to the rest of the field.
Although it is only a first practice session, this unexpected pace creates high expectations for the remainder of the event. The rest of the race weekend will reveal whether Verstappen can maintain his edge.