Updated
Updated · Formula 1 · Jul 17
Verstappen Leads Belgian GP FP1 With 1:47.070 as Norris, Hadjar Take Grid Penalties
Updated
Updated · Formula 1 · Jul 17

Verstappen Leads Belgian GP FP1 With 1:47.070 as Norris, Hadjar Take Grid Penalties

3 articles · Updated · Formula 1 · Jul 17

Summary

  • 1:47.070 put Max Verstappen fastest in Belgian Grand Prix FP1 at Spa, 0.145 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton, with Charles Leclerc another 0.062 back in third.
  • Red Bull set the early pace despite Verstappen using an older rear wing, while Ferrari looked the closest challenger and Mercedes finished more than half a second off before shifting focus to long runs.
  • Lando Norris and Isack Hadjar arrived with major penalties already looming from component changes—Norris faces a 10-place drop and Hadjar a 20-place sanction expected to send him to the back.
  • Oscar Piastri ended fifth but had a late hydraulic pressure issue, while Carlos Sainz dropped to 20th after a near-miss with championship leader Kimi Antonelli and a pit-entry incident set for investigation.

Insights

Is Verstappen's shock practice pace an audition for rivals or a final warning to a fractured Red Bull team?
As one champion's future crumbles, is rising star Kimi Antonelli about to launch a new era of F1 dominance?
With the best engine but a failing car, is Red Bull's F1 dynasty officially over regardless of Verstappen's choice?