Formula 1 resumed activities after a two-week break, starting the second half of the 2025 season with the unique free practice session of the Belgian Grand Prix, held at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Oscar Piastri, from McLaren, led the session with a time of 1m42s022, outperforming Max Verstappen, from Red Bull, and Lando Norris, his teammate, who completed the top 3. The Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, a rookie at Sauber, marked the 13th best time, showing progress in his adaptation to the category. The session, the only one before the classifications for the sprint race and the main GP, was marked by varied tire strategies and unstable weather conditions, with rain forecasted for the weekend. The sprint classification, the next stage of the event, is scheduled for 11:30 AM this Friday, Brasília time, with real-time coverage by ge.globo.
The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, known for its challenging corners like Eau Rouge and Raidillon, required quick adjustments from the drivers in a one-hour session. Piastri, current championship leader with 234 points, demonstrated consistency by recording the fastest lap on soft tires in the final minutes. Verstappen, the four-time champion, was 0s404 behind, while Norris, just eight points behind Piastri in the overall standings, completed the podium of the session. Bortoleto’s presence among the top 13 reflects the progress of the Brazilian rookie, who faced initial difficulties with hard tires but improved with soft compounds.
The dynamics of the practice revealed distinct strategies among the teams, with some prioritizing tests for the sprint race pace and others focusing on preparation for the main GP. Pirelli, the tire supplier, brought varied compounds, but the high probability of rain, above 60%, may influence tactical choices over the weekend. McLaren, boosted by Piastri and Norris’s performance, consolidates its position as a favorite in the title fight.
- Main highlights of the free practice:
- Oscar Piastri set the best time with 1m42s022.
- Max Verstappen was 0s404 behind the leader, showing competitiveness.
- Gabriel Bortoleto, from Sauber, finished 13th, outperforming his teammate.
- Unstable weather conditions may impact the upcoming sessions.
Intense pace at Spa-Francorchamps
The unique free practice session at Spa-Francorchamps put teams under pressure to optimize performance in just 60 minutes. McLaren, led by Piastri, made good use of the time, alternating between hard and soft tires to find the best setup. The Australian, who leads the championship, showed confidence in high-speed corners, especially in the Eau Rouge-Raidillon sequence, where precision is crucial. Verstappen, in turn, tested medium tires before switching to softs, gaining ground in the final minutes but without surpassing the rival’s time.
Lando Norris, seeking to close in on the championship lead, faced difficulties with hard tires at the start but improved with soft compounds, staying 0s504 behind Piastri. The closeness between the two McLaren drivers reinforces the internal rivalry, which has been one of the highlights of the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, had a solid performance but failed to threaten the top 3, with Leclerc in 5th and Hamilton in 7th.
Performance of Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto
Gabriel Bortoleto, in his debut season in Formula 1, continues to draw attention for his quick adaptation. The Sauber driver, who has only four points in the championship against 37 from his teammate Nico Hulkenberg, marked the 13th time in free practice. Despite a challenging start with white-banded tires, Bortoleto gained positions by adopting soft tires in the final minutes. His performance at Spa, one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar, demonstrates potential to fight for points over the weekend.
The Brazilian, who celebrated Hulkenberg’s podium in Silverstone, highlighted the importance of learning from his experienced teammate. Sauber, which introduced updates to the car for 2025, seeks greater consistency, especially on technical tracks like Spa. Bortoleto, at just 20 years old, faces the pressure of competing in a grid full of established talents, but his evolution has been noted in the paddock.
Tire strategies and unstable weather
The choice of tires was a determining factor in free practice. Pirelli provided hard, medium, and soft compounds, but most teams opted to test softs only in the last ten minutes, aiming to simulate qualifying conditions. The strategy reflects the importance of the sprint race, which offers up to 33 points over the weekend, intensifying the championship dispute.
- Factors that influenced the strategies:
- Soft tires were used for fast laps in the final minutes.
- High probability of rain may alter tactical choices on Saturday and Sunday.
- Teams like McLaren and Red Bull tested different compounds to collect data.
- Spa-Francorchamps requires balance between speed and grip in corners.
The rain forecast, with chances above 60% for the weekend, adds an element of unpredictability. Spa is known for variable weather conditions, with sections of the track potentially wet while others remain dry. This requires quick adjustments from drivers and strategic decisions from teams, especially in the sprint race and the main GP classification.
McLaren in the lead of the dispute
McLaren, boosted by Piastri and Norris’s performance, consolidated its position as a dominant force in 2025. The British team introduced a new front suspension on the MCL39, but Norris admitted he still doesn’t feel as comfortable as in the previous season. Despite this, the third place in free practice reinforces the car’s competitiveness. The rivalry between Piastri and Norris, separated by just eight points in the championship, promises to be one of the high points of the Belgian GP.
Red Bull, on the other hand, bets on updates to recover ground. Helmut Marko, the team’s consultant, expressed optimism about the evolutions planned for Spa, believing they can keep Verstappen in the title fight. The four-time champion, facing a more challenging season, demonstrated solid pace but fell behind Piastri in free practice.
Ferrari and Mercedes seeking reaction
Ferrari, now with Lewis Hamilton alongside Charles Leclerc, brought updates to the SF-25, including a new rear suspension. Despite the intense work, the Italian team failed to outperform McLaren or Red Bull in free practice. Leclerc, who led momentarily, finished in 5th, while Hamilton was in 7th. The team seeks second place in the constructors’ championship but faces difficulties in keeping up with the leaders’ pace.
Mercedes, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, showed consistency, with Russell in 4th and Antonelli in 6th. The German team, going through a transition season, focuses on developing the car for 2026, when new engine rules will come into effect. Antonelli, a young promise, impressed by staying close to Russell’s time, indicating potential for the future.
Expectations for the sprint race
The sprint race, scheduled for Saturday at 7 AM, will be a crucial test for the teams. With 15 laps, the event offers important points and may set the tone for the main GP on Sunday. The sprint classification, happening this Friday at 11:30 AM, will determine the starting grid, and teams must prioritize setups that favor race pace over single laps.
The closeness between Piastri and Norris in the championship intensifies the expectation for the sprint. Verstappen, seeking to reduce the gap to the leader, needs a solid performance to maintain his title chances. Bortoleto, in turn, aims for a top 10 to score points and consolidate his position at Sauber.
History of Spa-Francorchamps
Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most iconic circuits in Formula 1, present on the calendar since 1950. With 7 km in length, the track combines long straights with challenging corners, requiring courage and precision from drivers. Michael Schumacher, with six victories, is the biggest winner of the Belgian GP, followed by Lewis Hamilton, with four triumphs. In 2024, Hamilton won after George Russell’s disqualification, who crossed the finish line first.
- Curiosities about the circuit:
- Spa has hosted 56 editions of the Belgian GP since 1950.
- The Eau Rouge-Raidillon sequence is considered one of the most challenging in F1.
- Unstable weather often alters race results.
- Juan Manuel Fangio won the first edition in 1950, for Alfa Romeo.
Preparation for the main GP
The Belgian GP, scheduled for Sunday at 9 AM, will be the 13th stage of the 2025 season. With 44 laps, the main race promises to be a test of endurance, especially with the possibility of rain. Teams that manage to optimize the car setup in the unique free practice session will have an advantage, as the limited time prevents extensive adjustments.
McLaren, with its dominance in free practice, is the favorite, but Red Bull and Ferrari may surprise, especially if weather conditions change. Bortoleto, seeking his first major result in F1, will have the opportunity to shine on a track where the driver’s skill makes the difference.
News in the paddock
The Belgian GP is also marked by movements in the paddock. The recent announcement of Christian Horner’s departure from Red Bull created an atmosphere of uncertainty in the team. Helmut Marko took on a central role, ensuring that car updates will be crucial for the title dispute. Meanwhile, rumors about the future of drivers like Carlos Sainz and Franco Colapinto stir the market, but without official confirmations so far.
Ferrari, with Hamilton and Leclerc, intensifies work for 2026, when new engine rules will come into effect. The Italian team, facing criticism for its conservative strategy, bets on the updates tested at Spa to recover ground in the constructors’ championship.
Focus on feeder categories
In addition to Formula 1, the weekend at Spa-Francorchamps includes stages of Formula 2 and Formula 3. In F2, Richard Verschoor leads the championship with 122 points, followed by Jak Crawford and Alex Dunne. In F3, the Brazilian Rafa Câmara maintains the lead with 120 points, after a solid performance in Silverstone. The feeder categories, running on the same weekend, attract attention for revealing new talents to F1.
- Highlights from feeder categories:
- Richard Verschoor leads F2 with 122 points.
- Rafa Câmara, from F3, has 120 points and seeks to consolidate the lead.
- Spa is a crucial track for young drivers to show skill.