Max Verstappen delivered an unexpected statement of intent by setting the fastest time in the opening free practice session for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, giving Red Bull an encouraging start to one of the most demanding weekends on the Formula 1 calendar.
Heading into the event, Red Bull was widely expected to struggle against the pace of Ferrari and Mercedes after opting to abandon its experimental “Macarena” rear wing. The controversial aerodynamic package had been linked to instability and contributed to crashes involving Verstappen during the Austrian and British Grand Prix weekends. For Belgium, the team reverted to its earlier wing specification in the hope of restoring confidence and consistency.
Despite concerns that the change would leave Red Bull trailing its closest rivals, Verstappen quickly silenced those doubts. The reigning four-time world champion produced a best lap of 1:47.070 during the one-hour practice session, finishing at the top of the timesheets and giving the Milton Keynes outfit a surprising boost ahead of qualifying.
Ferrari emerged as Red Bull’s closest challenger, with Lewis Hamilton finishing second after setting a lap of 1:47.215. Team-mate Charles Leclerc followed closely in third with a 1:47.277, underlining Ferrari’s strong pace around the legendary Spa circuit.
Red Bull’s impressive performance did not end with Verstappen. Team-mate Isack Hadjar also enjoyed a competitive session, recording the fourth-fastest time with a lap of 1:47.322. Having both Red Bull drivers inside the top four suggests the team’s revised setup could prove more competitive than many had anticipated.
McLaren remained in contention despite not matching the outright pace of Red Bull and Ferrari. Oscar Piastri secured fifth place with a 1:47.522, while championship contender Lando Norris ended the session seventh after posting a 1:47.931.
Mercedes also featured prominently, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli finishing sixth on a 1:47.603. George Russell placed eighth with a lap of 1:47.959 as the Silver Arrows continued evaluating different setup options throughout the session.
Further down the order, Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad impressed by taking ninth, ahead of Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto in tenth. Liam Lawson narrowly missed out on a top-10 finish in 11th, while Nico Hülkenberg, Oliver Bearman, Alexander Albon, Franco Colapinto, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly completed the midfield order.
Cadillac drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez finished 18th and 19th respectively, while Williams’ Carlos Sainz endured a difficult session in 20th. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was 21st after limited running, and Jak Crawford rounded out the classification.
The session also marked a notable shift in the competitive order. For the first time this season, neither Mercedes nor Ferrari topped the opening practice session of a Grand Prix weekend, with Verstappen breaking that trend through a commanding performance.
Although only the first practice session, Verstappen’s pace has raised expectations that Red Bull could challenge for pole position despite arriving in Belgium with lower expectations. With qualifying and the race still to come, the opening session has set the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested Belgian Grand Prix weekend.
