Facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2026 Belgian GP

Formula 1 returns to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit this weekend for the Belgian Grand Prix, marking the 10th round of the 2026 season. The schedule kicks off with practice sessions on Friday, July 17, followed by qualifying on Saturday and the main race on Sunday, July 19. Former driver Jolyon Palmer highlights the unique challenge of Spa, emphasizing the difficult trade-off between setting up for high-speed straights or the technical middle sector, with the Kemmel Straight and the Pouhon corner posing critical tests for drivers. Technical demands remain high as Pirelli brings C2, C3, and C4 compounds, noting that while the track is less severe on tyres than Silverstone or Suzuka, high temperatures could force two-stop strategies. Teams are focused on balancing aerodynamic efficiency to manage the technical sections while maintaining speed on the long straights. The weekend also sees Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli looking to defend his championship lead, which has been reduced to 25 points over team mate George Russell, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc closing in. Meanwhile, the competitive landscape is tightening elsewhere as McLaren seeks to rebound from recent struggles and Red Bull aims for recovery after Max Verstappen’s disappointing exit at Silverstone. In the midfield, the battle for fifth in the Constructors' Championship intensifies as Racing Bulls have narrowed the gap to Alpine to just a single point, setting the stage for a dramatic weekend at one of the sport's most historic venues.