The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps is a thrilling return to Formula 1 racing, and Friday's practice sessions offered a glimpse into the strategies and performances that will shape the weekend. Here's a breakdown of the winners and losers from the first day of action.
Winners
Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, emerged as a standout performer. While Mercedes' overall performance in FP1 was relatively low-key, Antonelli's car was a different story. The second practice session saw a significant course correction, with Antonelli's car finding its rhythm and drivers expressing satisfaction. His qualifying simulations and strong long-run performance, despite the limited data due to red flags, indicate a promising trajectory for the weekend.
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen, the Dutch star, topped a practice session for the first time in 2026, showcasing his prowess in FP1. Although he faced gearbox gripes, his long-run pace positioned him contending with Mercedes, and his short runs hinted at potential pole contention. Verstappen's performance is a positive sign for his team, especially considering the half-second gap to Antonelli in FP2.
Franco Colapinto
Alpine's Franco Colapinto surprised everyone with his strong showing in FP2, securing seventh place and outpacing Mercedes' George Russell. His consistent performance, with a 0.15s gap to the fastest Red Bull and a six-tenths gap to the next-best midfielder, Haas' Ollie Bearman, is a testament to his skill. Colapinto's comfort with the car and his ability to adapt to Spa-Francorchamps' lower-speed corners have contributed to his success.
Haas
Haas demonstrated a decent showing, with Ollie Bearman praising the car's strength. The team's back-to-back testing of a new front wing, despite being far from the pace of Racing Bulls and Alpine, represented a slight improvement. Better balance and behavior set a solid foundation for Haas as they aim to close the gap to Williams.
Losers
George Russell
George Russell, driving for Mercedes, struggled in both practice sessions, finishing well off the pace. His three-tenths deficit to Antonelli in FP1 and a 1.285s gap in FP2 highlight the challenge he faces. The power unit issue in FP1, which was resolved, might have contributed to the overall performance. Russell needs to address the straight-line speed disadvantage compared to Antonelli, especially with Spa-Francorchamps' long straights.
Pierre Gasly
Pierre Gasly, driving for Alpine, encountered a crash exiting the Fagnes chicane, resulting in damage to his rear wing and tyres. The extent of the damage to his gearbox and drivetrain is unknown, adding to the team's challenges. Gasly's crash and subsequent performance behind Colapinto raise questions about his car's reliability and handling.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin faced a challenging weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, with both cars over five seconds adrift in both practice sessions. Team representative Mike Krack acknowledged the team's struggle, attributing it to the track's difficulty. However, the lack of a realistic chance to fight for results, despite the known pace, is a concern. The team's focus on execution and decision-making is crucial as they navigate the weekend.
Takeaway
Friday's practice sessions revealed a range of performances and strategies, with some teams making significant improvements and others facing challenges. The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps promises an exciting race, with the winners and losers from practice setting the stage for a thrilling weekend of Formula 1 action.
