Verstappen Leads Practice at Spa, Hamilton Second
Max Verstappen was the surprise leader in the first practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix, outpacing Lewis Hamilton as Mercedes showed less than expected pace.
Verstappen is the strong favourite for pole and a dominant win if Red Bull can maintain this performance advantage throughout the weekend.
The opening practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps saw an unexpected result at the top of the timesheets, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen setting the fastest lap. This performance put him ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who managed to secure the second-quickest time.
Crucially, the established pace from Mercedes was not as strong as anticipated. Both their cars appeared to be struggling to find their usual speed on the demanding Ardennes circuit. Verstappen's leading performance suggests a strong start for the Dutch driver on his home-adjacent race weekend.
The session provided an early indication that while Red Bull might be strong, Mercedes could have a significant challenge on their hands to match the pace of their rivals, especially on a track known for its varied corners and demanding nature.
Early pace from Verstappen at Spa indicates Red Bull might have the edge, leaving Mercedes with significant work to do.
