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Verstappen tops sluggish FP1 at Spa as new cars lag over five seconds behind
Max Verstappen was fastest in opening practice at Spa, but the new generation of Formula 1 cars proved significantly slower than last year, setting times over five seconds off the previous pace.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-07-17T12:43:59.000Z - 2 min read
Max Verstappen claimed top spot in first free practice for the Belgian Grand Prix, making a strong start following a disappointing British weekend. Despite setting the fastest time, however, the new generation of Formula 1 cars proved considerably slower around the Spa-Francorchamps circuit than their predecessors.
His fastest lap of 1:47.070 was over five seconds slower than the benchmark set by Oscar Piastri in the equivalent session last year. The lack of battery recharging opportunities across the seven-kilometre circuit plagued the teams, particularly through the middle sector and heading towards the final chicane.
Behind Verstappen, Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc slotted into second and third places. Piastri suffered a less fortunate session when his McLaren ground to a halt just before Les Combes, though he managed to return his car to the pits under its own power. Mercedes drivers Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell finished outside the top five, with Antonelli encountering Carlos Sainz Jr. on track, while Sainz himself drew the attention of the stewards by making an unusual exit from the pit lane.
Grid penalties loom this weekend for Isack Hadjar and Lando Norris, with both drivers undergoing engine changes. Notable was the weak performance of Aston Martin, where reserve driver Jak Crawford filled in using Fernando Alonso's car. The team appeared by far the slowest on the grid, hinting at what could be a grueling weekend.