The Belgian Grand Prix 2026 practice session at Spa-Francorchamps is underway, and the excitement is palpable. With a 10-place grid penalty for Lando Norris due to a new battery, the race is already shaping up to be a dramatic one. The young driver's title lead has been cut to 25 points by Kimi Antonelli, who failed to score points at the British GP. The pressure is on for Norris to make a strong showing.
The session has seen some interesting developments so far. Isack Hadjar, on the soft tyres, has put his car at the top of the leaderboard with a time of 1:47.778. The Audis, Cadillacs, and Alpines are on the hard tyres, while the rest of the pack is on the medium compounds. The Williams and Sergio Perez in the Cadillac have completed the most laps so far, with 10 each.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this session is the strategic use of the 'Get Involved' button. Harry Benjamin, the lead commentator, has turned up for his shift and has forgotten to bring all of his notes, including driver stats, team information, and a track map. He's asking the audience to share what important items they've left behind, adding a layer of interactivity to the commentary.
The session has also seen some technical adjustments. Red Bull is reverting to a conventional rear wing for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix following high-speed crashes for Max Verstappen in the previous two races. The team has discovered a problem with their previous wing in tests since the race at Silverstone, and they are reverting to a wing that opens for straight-line mode in standard fashion.
The weather forecast had suggested Belgium could be the first wet weekend of the season, but the early forecast has been updated to show sunny and dry conditions for Friday's practice sessions. The track temperature is a toasty 42C, and Saturday's qualifying is expected to be free of rain, with sunny intervals and a slight breeze predicted instead.
The session has also been marked by tributes to Anthoine Hubert and Dilano van 't Hoff, who lost their lives at the same circuit in 2019 and 2023, respectively. Pierre Gasly, an Alpine driver, led a run around the Belgian Grand Prix circuit in Anthoine's memory, inviting teams in F1, F2, and F3 to participate each year.
As the session progresses, the tension and excitement continue to build. The race is set to be a dramatic one, with Norris under pressure, technical adjustments, and the threat of rain in the forecast. The audience is eagerly awaiting the next developments, and the commentary team is providing a rich and engaging experience, making the session a must-watch for F1 fans around the world.
