The 2026 Belgian Grand Prix: expectations for a Spa classic
The 2026 Formula 1 season is in full swing, and if you thought the fight for the title was settled, Silverstone had a massive surprise in store. Kimi Antonelli still leads the standings, but a shock retirement at the last round has allowed his Mercedes team mate George Russell to slash that lead down to just 25 points. With Russell fresh off a home podium and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc hunting for back-to-back momentum after his recent win, the pressure is mounting at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
This is a classic venue, and the challenge remains as brutal as ever. Drivers have to balance the high-speed flow of corners like Eau Rouge, Radillon, Pouhon, and the Bus Stop while chasing the perfect downforce setup. It is a legendary test of machine and driver, one that usually forces a choice between outright speed and stability. And this year? We might finally see the field struggle with a truly wet track. We haven’t had a rain-soaked race yet in 2026, and with a warm, unpredictable forecast, the elements could turn the entire weekend on its head.
Mercedes and Ferrari look to be the favorites, though you can never count out Lewis Hamilton here. The man holds the record for the most pole positions at this track, with six, and his recent podium form at Silverstone has the Silver Arrows looking sharper than ever. Keep a close eye on Antonelli, too; he needs to shake off those recent reliability gremlins and rediscover his rhythm if he wants to fend off the charging pack.
For those tuning in, the action kicks off on Friday, July 17, with Free Practice 1 at 1330 local time and Free Practice 2 at 1700. Saturday, July 18, starts with a final hour of practice at 1230 before Qualifying at 1600. The 44-lap main event—the Belgian Grand Prix—is set for 1500 local time on Sunday, July 19.
Fans looking to watch can catch every session via F1 TV Pro or F1 TV Premium, which offer 4K Ultra HD/HDR coverage and access to multiple feeds. Beyond the main show, F2 and F3 are also in action, with championship leaders Nikola Tsolov and Ugo Ugochukwu looking to solidify their campaigns at the Belgian circuit.