The Belgian Grand Prix practice session saw Max Verstappen take the top spot, just over a tenth of a second ahead of Lewis Hamilton. This early performance from Red Bull demonstrates their strong pace, with Verstappen setting a 1m47.070s lap time, a full five seconds slower than the 2025 practice benchmark. The Red Bull pair traded times at the top of the timesheets in the first 20 minutes, showcasing their early dominance. Verstappen, on mediums, and Hadjar, on softs, quickly moved to the top, with Hadjar briefly taking the lead before Verstappen reclaimed it with a 1m47.070s lap. This early performance is a positive sign for Red Bull, indicating their potential to challenge for the race win.
One interesting development was the introduction of a new, squarer roll-hoop intake by Racing Bulls, with Arvid Lindblad trialling it. This design change could have implications for the team's performance, and it will be interesting to see if it provides an advantage or not. The session also saw Oscar Piastri face issues, with his McLaren car retaining enough hydraulic pressure to return to the garage, avoiding a potential pit stop.
The Ferrari pair of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc split the Red Bulls, with Hamilton just 0.145s shy of Verstappen. This close competition between the top teams is a positive sign for the sport, indicating a close battle for the championship. The session also saw the introduction of a new engine design by Cadillac, with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez showcasing the new power unit. However, Lance Stroll's Aston Martin team struggled, with Stroll 5.7s off the pace, indicating a challenging weekend for the team.
Overall, the Belgian Grand Prix practice session provided an exciting insight into the early performance of the teams, with Red Bull demonstrating their strong pace and the introduction of new designs and engines. The close competition between the top teams bodes well for an exciting race, with the championship battle set to intensify.
