Formula 1 3 Days

Last updated: July 17, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Belgian Grand Prix Practice and Penalties

Practice at Spa-Francorchamps offered a mixed bag for teams heading into the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. Lando Norris admitted to feeling "downbeat" despite showing pace in practice, noting a muddled picture on a circuit traditionally favoring power units. Pierre Gasly's session ended prematurely due to a crash in FP2, an incident Alpine is analyzing. Meanwhile, Red Bull's Isack Hadjar faces a grid penalty for the race after exceeding his engine allocation, meaning he will start from the back.

Team Updates and Driver Speculation

Racing Bulls is implementing a cooling upgrade for the Belgian GP, with a driver battle between Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad influencing who receives the component. Aston Martin is "flat out" working on updates for Hungary, though concerns linger over spare parts readiness. In driver news, Max Verstappen announced a link to a McLaren F1 junior, fueling ongoing speculation about his own future, though Verstappen remained tight-lipped on the subject during the official press conference. Red Bull has reverted to its original rear wing design for Spa following issues with its revised "Macarena" concept, which saw Verstappen crash during practice.

Driver Perspectives on F1's Future

George Russell expressed difficulty in matching the performance of junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, likening the challenge to "being asked to draw the Mona Lisa". Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto urged drivers to move past complaints about the 2026 regulations, stating that Formula 1 has not lost its "magic". One fan is enjoying an incredible season, attending every race as part of a lifelong dream.