Overview
- The Belgian Grand Prix runs at Spa-Francorchamps from 17–19 July with the 44-lap race starting at 14:00 BST on Sunday and live coverage on Apple TV in the US plus Sky Sports F1 and Channel 4 in the UK.
- Forecasts have been revised this week to concentrate rain on Friday, with RacingNews365 showing a 0% chance for Saturday qualifying and a reduced 28% chance for Sunday’s race, shifting earlier predictions of a fully wet weekend.
- Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead was cut to 25 points after Silverstone, leaving Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc as the closest threats as teams head into Spa.
- Technical analysis finds Spa’s long straights and heavy battery use should favour Mercedes’ package while pundits warn McLaren’s car may struggle to match top pace on the Kemmel Straight and high-speed sectors.
- Spa’s length, fast corners and changeable Ardennes weather make strategy and tyre choice critical, recalling last year’s rain-delayed race won by Oscar Piastri and raising the stakes if Friday’s wet running persists.