12:34
Sainz and Albon return to the pits after completing installation laps. Most other drivers continue on. Only Norris is yet to take to the track.
Verstappen at Spa
© XPB Images
LIVE
F1 Belgian GP LIVE: Build-up to FP2 after rain showers hit Spa
Live coverage of Friday at the F1 Belgian Grand Prix
KEY MOMENTS
- Norris, Hadjar and Stroll take grid penalties
- Red Bull ditch 'Macarena' wing after Verstappen crash
- Verstappen fastest in FP1
The tenth round of the 2026 Formula 1 season takes place at the Belgian Grand Prix.
One of the most famous tracks on the F1 calendar, Spa-Francorchamps has played host to some truly iconic moments.
As ever, teams have brought a number of updates to the track, with McLaren bringing a new rear wing to test on Friday, making use of the long Kemmel Straight for data gathering. This wing, however, is understood not to be McLaren's 'Macarena' wing, which was taken to Austria but not used.
After Max Verstappen's crash at Silverstone, Red Bull has also elected to bring a more conventional wing to Belgium. In the wake of his off, the Dutchman branded the wing "super-dangerous", with Red Bull committing to a full investigation into the underlying problem.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has warned that the Silver Arrows must fix their reliability woes, with Ferrari now breathing down the neck of points-leader Kimi Antonelli after taking two wins from the last three weekends.
Finally, with the new Mercedes power unit, Lando Norris will take a 10-place grid penalty on Sunday, after also taking power electronics, his fourth set of the season. This exceeded the maximum of three permitted to complete the campaign.
2026 Belgian Grand Prix Friday schedule
FP1 12:30pm BST - 1:30pm BST
FP2: 4:00pm BST - 5:00pm BST
17 Jul 2026
12:33
It was a busy pit lane at the start of the hour!
12:31
Aside from Jak Crawford at Aston Martin, we have the regular field in FP1. The American replaces Fernando Alonso.
12:30
Green flag for FP1
FP1 is go! Sainz and Perez lead the field out.
12:29
The cars are firing up and heading to the end of the pit lane. There is not a moment to spare!
12:28
The chance of rain is 20% for the session. Remember, this is Spa. The rain could come from nowhere!
12:26
The music has played, and now it's time for the serious stuff. FP1 gets underway in just three minutes. Are we all sitting comfortably?
12:24
Ahead of FP1, we pause for a moment to remember Jules Bianchi.
12:20
NASCAR solution suggested as F1 safety car finish fix before crunch meeting
The Silverstone weekend saw an uncomfortable end to the British Grand Prix, with the safety car leading the cars to the chequered flag.
After giving the matter some thought, Liam Lawson believes he has an answer as to how to avoid this situation in the future.
The British Grand Prix ended behind the safety car
12:17
We're now just 15 minutes away from the cars heading out onto the track. On the 7km layout, the lap count will be minimal, adding to the importance of hitting the ground with a suitable setup.
12:09
Fernando Alonso’s World Cup priority offers grim Aston Martin Spa F1 outlook
Tell us what you really think, Fernando. Aston Martin fears this could be the most difficult weekend of the season for the team, and Alonso has his priorities clear for a weekend that also sees Spain take on Argentina in the World Cup final.
Alonso is braced for another tough weekend for Aston Martin
12:00
It's not just the drivers that the fans want to see either. Toto Wolff gets his moment in the sun.
11:55
Not a moment of rest for the drivers as they make their way into the paddock for the first day of on-track action. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will take to the track in just over half an hour.
11:45
Martin Brundle shares “gut feeling” about Max Verstappen’s F1 future at Red Bull
It wouldn't be an F1 weekend in 2026 without talk about Max Verstappen's future. Will he stay at Red Bull? Does he have another option on the F1 grid? Will he simply walk away from the paddock?
Commentator Martin Brundle has his thoughts on the matter.
Verstappen's future remains the hot topic in F1
11:43
Nico Hulkenberg makes cheeky offer to Carlos Sainz amid Audi F1 gossip
Bringing you up to speed on some paddock chatter, we have this rather cheeky comment from Audi driver Nico Hulkenberg, after Williams driver Carlos Sainz was linked with a move to the team - likely taking the German's seat.
It's fair to say that Hulkenberg is taking the gossip in his stride!
Hulkenberg jokingly offered a reserve drive to Sainz
11:38
The key times for today are 12:30, and 16:00, which are when FP1 and FP2 will get underway.
As ever, the team bosses' press conference will take place between the sessions or, if you prefer, you can check out some qualifying action from the support paddock.
11:33
Good morning!
Good morning, and welcome to Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.
We revert back to the regular format for this event, meaning that we will see two practice sessions this afternoon, with FP3 and qualifying on Saturday, before the grand prix on Sunday.
All very normal.
However, while sunny skies have been forecast, the weather around this legendary track rarely plays ball, so we will have to wait and see what lays in store for the 22 drivers.