Verstappen's Spa Dominance
Verstappen Puts Red Bull Atop Belgian GP FP1 Times, Hamilton Edges Close Behind
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Key Points
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Verstappen's fastest FP1 lap was 1m47.070s on soft tires, finishing over 0.1s clear of Hamilton, with Hadjar briefly leading early on at 1m47.322s and Antonelli having topped the early times at 1m47.603s.
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Oscar Piastri encountered a hydraulic pressure issue late in the session but managed to return to the pits and keep the car running, preserving enough hydraulic pressure to continue.
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Red Bull has switched away from the 'Macarena' rear wing to a conventional design at Spa after previous high-speed wing failures contributed to Verstappen's crashes in earlier races.
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Jak Crawford drove Fernando Alonso's car for FP1, marking a notable session detail as he participated in the rookie outing for Aston Martin.
Max Verstappen set the pace at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday, clocking a 1m47.070s lap on soft tires to top the Belgian Grand Prix's opening practice session. He beat Lewis Hamilton by 0.145 seconds, with Charles Leclerc rounding out the top three — marking the first time this season a non-Ferrari driver led a practice session, according to Racer.
The result was an early signal that Red Bull may be back as a genuine threat at a track that suits their car. But with only one session done, teams will be watching FP2 closely to see if Verstappen's advantage holds.
Verstappen Breaks Ferrari's Practice Session Streak
All year long, Ferraris had topped every practice session. That changed Friday at Spa. Verstappen's 1m47.070s put him clear of Hamilton's Ferrari and Leclerc's Ferrari. Racer noted it was the first time in 2025 that a driver not in a Ferrari led a practice session. Despite sitting seventh in the drivers' championship, Verstappen looked sharp and in control throughout.
Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, briefly topped the early times with a 1m47.603s before being pushed back. He eventually finished sixth for Mercedes. Isack Hadjar also ran at the front early, posting a 1m47.322s, but later picked up a 10-place grid penalty, according to BBC Sport.
Red Bull Ditches Controversial 'Macarena' Wing at Spa
Red Bull came to Belgium with a key technical change. The team dropped their so-called 'Macarena' rear wing — an unusual flexible design — in favor of a conventional wing. The decision came after high-speed wing failures played a role in Verstappen's crashes at earlier rounds this season.
Spa is one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, with corners like Eau Rouge and Blanchimont putting huge stress on rear wings. The switch to a safer, conventional design appeared to pay off immediately. Red Bull looked stable and fast throughout the 90-minute session, Alloaa Advertiser reported.
Piastri Hits Hydraulic Scare, Crawford Fills In for Alonso
Oscar Piastri had a nervy moment late in the session. His McLaren developed a hydraulic pressure issue. He managed to nurse the car back to the pits without stopping on track. The team kept enough pressure in the system to avoid a full failure, preserving the car for the rest of the weekend.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin handed Fernando Alonso's seat to rookie Jak Crawford for FP1. It was part of the team's mandatory young driver practice program. Crawford took the wheel and completed his running without incident — a quiet but notable subplot in an otherwise pace-focused session, BBC Sport noted.
Mercedes Lag as McLaren and Red Bull Eye Race Pace
Mercedes struggled to match the top pace in FP1. Antonelli's sixth place was their best result, while George Russell also ran without troubling the top three. Eritv News reported that Mercedes were noticeably off the pace at Spa, a track where they have historically been strong.
McLaren's Norris was competitive in the mix but couldn't match Verstappen's headline time. With Piastri's hydraulic scare adding uncertainty, the McLaren camp will want clean running in FP2. All eyes now turn to the second session to see if Red Bull's early edge is real — or just a soft-tire flash.
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