F1 live: Belgian GP 2025 thrills Spa with free broadcast, promising excitement at Spa-Francorchamps Por Carolina Costa
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Spa-Francorchamps hosts the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix this weekend, from July 25 to 27, marking the 13th stage of the 2025 season. The race, held at the iconic Belgian circuit, will have live broadcast by Band, Band.com.br, and Bandplay, starting at 9:30 am (Brasília time) on Sunday, for free. The event promises intense disputes, with drivers like Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen fighting for the top positions. The track, known for challenging curves like Eau Rouge and unpredictable weather, is the stage for historical moments in F1. The presence of Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, from Sauber, raises expectations from the local audience. Band also covers the race on radio, with BandNews FM and Rádio Bandeirantes, while F1TV offers a premium experience by subscription. The GP, with sprint format, began on Friday with practices and qualifications.
The 70th edition of the Belgian GP, the 57th at Spa, highlights the circuit’s relevance in motorsport. McLaren, led by Piastri and Norris, arrives strong after recent victories, while Verstappen, from Red Bull, seeks to maintain his dominance at home. The Sunday race, with start at 10 am, is crucial for the second half of the championship.
- Main attractions of the weekend:
- Sprint race on Saturday, won by Max Verstappen.
- Lando Norris on pole position for the main race.
- Gabriel Bortoleto starting in 10th, standing out at Sauber.
- Forecast of rain, which may alter strategies.
History of Spa-Francorchamps
The Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, located in the Ardennes, is one of the oldest and most revered in Formula 1. Since its debut in the 1950 championship, won by Juan Manuel Fangio, the track combines long straights and fast curves, demanding precision from drivers. With 7 km in length, Spa is the largest circuit on the current calendar. The Eau Rouge curve, with its 40-meter elevation, challenges competitors to keep the foot on the accelerator. The unstable weather in the region, with possibility of rain in parts of the track, adds unpredictability to the race.
Michael Schumacher, with six victories, is the biggest winner at Spa. Lewis Hamilton, with four triumphs, seeks to approach the record. Max Verstappen, born in Belgium, won three of the last four editions, consolidating his dominance. The track was also the stage for first victories of drivers like Charles Leclerc, in 2019, and Michael Schumacher, in 1992.
- Notable winners at Spa:
- Michael Schumacher: 6 victories (record).
- Lewis Hamilton: 4 victories, including 2024.
- Ayrton Senna: 5 victories, with sequence from 1988 to 1991.
- Max Verstappen: 3 recent victories (2021-2023).
Drivers’ performance in 2025
Oscar Piastri leads the championship with 234 points, closely followed by Lando Norris, with 226. McLaren dominates the Constructors’ World Championship, with 460 points, after winning nine of the initial 12 races. Max Verstappen, with 165 points, is in third, but his sprint race victory reinforces his competitiveness. Gabriel Bortoleto, debutant in F1 for Sauber, surprised by reaching the top-10 on the grid, with a time of 1:42.387. His consistent performance, surpassing teammate Nico Hülkenberg, positions the Brazilian as a promise for the race.
Saturday’s qualifying defined Norris on pole, with Piastri in second, forming a McLaren one-two. Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari, starts in third, while Verstappen, despite the sprint win, starts in fourth. The closeness in scoring among the leaders promises intense duels, especially with the internal rivalry at McLaren.
Sprint format and strategies
The 2025 Belgian GP adopts the sprint format, introduced in 2021 to increase the excitement of the weekends. The sprint race, held on Saturday, has 100 km and distributes points to the top eight, with Verstappen claiming the victory. The main qualifying, also on Saturday, defined the grid for Sunday’s race. The format reduces free practice time, with only one session on Friday, challenging teams to adjust cars quickly.
Pirelli chose a differentiated tire allocation (C1, C3, and C4), skipping the C2 compound, to offer greater strategic flexibility. The possibility of rain, with 45% probability on Sunday, may favor varied pit stop strategies. Teams like McLaren and Red Bull, with fast cars on straights, have an advantage at Spa, but Ferrari and Mercedes seek to surprise.
- Strategic factors for the race:
- Weather: rain may change the race dynamics.
- Tires: choice between medium and soft compounds will be crucial.
- Eau Rouge curve: requires balance between speed and grip.
- Pit stops: one or two stops, depending on the weather.
Broadcast and coverage in Brazil
Band leads the broadcast of the Belgian GP in Brazil, with live coverage on open TV starting at 9:30 am on Sunday. The narration is by Sérgio Maurício, with comments from Tiago Mendonça and Max Wilson, and reports by Mariana Becker directly from Spa. Bandplay and Band.com.br offer free streaming, while BandSports covers practices, qualifications, and the sprint race on closed TV. F1TV Pro, by subscription, provides onboard cameras and detailed analyses. BandNews FM and Rádio Bandeirantes follow in real time, ensuring options for all audiences.
Bortoleto’s presence raises interest from Brazilians, who follow Formula 2 on F1TV, where the driver also competes. Band’s multi-platform coverage reinforces access to the event, highlighting the convenience of free streaming on Bandplay.
- Where to watch in Brazil:
- Band: open TV, starting at 9:30 am (Sunday).
- BandSports: practices, sprint, and race on closed TV.
- Bandplay: free streaming, with start at 10 am.
- F1TV Pro: premium streaming with multiple angles.
- BandNews FM and Rádio Bandeirantes: audio coverage.
Expectations for the race
Sunday’s race promises to be a milestone in the 2025 season, with McLaren seeking to consolidate its leadership. Norris, on pole, has the chance to extend his advantage over Piastri, while Verstappen, with a strong history at Spa, is a favorite to fight for victory. The possibility of rain may shuffle strategies, benefiting drivers like Leclerc, who has won in adverse conditions. Bortoleto, starting in 10th, has the opportunity to score points in his debut season, especially if the weather favors overtakes.
The Belgian circuit, with its long straights and technical sectors, requires a well-balanced car. McLaren, with its efficient aerodynamics, leads the bets, but Red Bull, with adjustments for 2025, remains a threat. Ferrari, third in the Constructors’ World Championship, seeks to reduce the 238-point gap to McLaren. Mercedes, with Hamilton, may surprise if rain alters track conditions.
Curiosities of the Belgian GP
The Belgian GP is one of the oldest events in F1, present since 1950. Besides Spa, the Zolder and Nivelles tracks have hosted the race, but Spa-Francorchamps is the main stage, with 57 editions. The race is famous for iconic moments, like Mika Häkkinen’s overtake on Schumacher in 2000. The track was also the scene of notable debuts, like Lando Norris’s first pole in 2021.
- Historical moments at Spa:
- 1950: Juan Manuel Fangio wins the first edition.
- 1992: Michael Schumacher conquers his first victory.
- 2000: Historical overtake by Häkkinen on Schumacher.
- 2019: First victory of Charles Leclerc in F1.
- 2024: Lewis Hamilton wins after Russell’s disqualification.
