​Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton was on track at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, Belgium, during the opening practice session ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix on July 17, 2026. The seven-time world champion was photographed taking part in Friday running as teams began preparations for one of the most iconic weekends on the F1 calendar.
Formula 1 has reached the final stretch before its traditional August summer shutdown, with only two races left before the paddock pauses for the break. This weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps is followed by next week’s Hungarian Grand Prix, making the next two rounds crucial in the battle for championship momentum. With the Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Championship still developing, qualifying at Spa could play a major role in shaping Sunday’s race.
The key question heading into Belgian Grand Prix qualifying is simple: who will claim pole position at historic Spa-Francorchamps? The legendary Belgian circuit is one of the fastest and most challenging venues in Formula 1, featuring famous sections such as Eau Rouge, Raidillon, Kemmel Straight, Pouhon, and Blanchimont. Because of its long straights, high-speed corners, and unpredictable weather, Spa often produces dramatic qualifying sessions and mixed-up starting grids.
Friday practice offered an early look at the main contenders for pole. Max Verstappen set the pace in the first hour of practice, putting his car at the top of the timing sheets ahead of the Ferrari pairing of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Verstappen’s strong start suggested he would once again be among the favorites for qualifying, particularly at a circuit where confidence, straight-line speed, and aerodynamic efficiency are all essential.
However, the picture changed in the second practice session. Drivers’ Championship leader Kimi Antonelli responded by going fastest in FP2, delivering an impressive lap time of 1:45.944. Antonelli finished the session ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Verstappen, making clear that the fight for Belgian Grand Prix pole position could involve several teams. Hamilton continued Ferrari’s solid Friday by placing inside the top five, while Isack Hadjar also impressed by rounding out the top five in the second practice hour.
Although practice times provide valuable clues, the real test comes in qualifying. After the final practice session, the lap times will finally count, and the grid for the 2026 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix will begin to take shape. Spa-Francorchamps is known for rewarding bravery and precision, but it can also punish small mistakes. Track limits, traffic management, tire preparation, and weather conditions could all influence the final qualifying order.
SB Nation will be following Belgian Grand Prix qualifying live as the Formula 1 field battles for position at Spa. The session is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Eastern, with updates throughout qualifying as drivers advance through Q1, Q2, and Q3. Fans can also follow the discussion on SB Nation’s new F1 Feed, where the conversation around the Belgian Grand Prix, qualifying strategy, team performance, and championship implications will continue across the weekend.
The provisional starting grid for the 2026 F1 Belgian Grand Prix will be updated as qualifying unfolds. At the moment, the grid remains unfilled, but two major penalties are already set to affect the final order. Lando Norris will serve a ten-place grid penalty after McLaren fitted his MCL40 with a new power electronics unit. It is his fourth of the season, exceeding the three permitted under Formula 1 regulations.
Isack Hadjar is also facing a significant penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix. Red Bull installed several new power unit components above his season allowance, resulting in penalties totaling 30 grid places. Because of that, Hadjar is expected to start from the back of the grid regardless of where he qualifies. That penalty could have a major impact on his race strategy, especially at Spa, where overtaking is possible but still dependent on straight-line speed, tire life, and timing.
With Verstappen, Antonelli, Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris, and others all showing pace, Belgian Grand Prix qualifying promises to be one of the most important sessions of the weekend. Pole position at Spa-Francorchamps is never easy to secure, and with grid penalties already in play, the final starting order for the 2026 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix may look very different from the raw qualifying results.