Max Verstappen recorded the fastest time in the opening practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix today. The Red Bull driver posted a lap of 1:44.215 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. This established an early benchmark for the weekend’s proceedings.
Teammate Sergio Pérez secured the second position, trailing Verstappen by 0.187 seconds. This strong showing from Red Bull Racing indicated competitive form from the outset. The team focused on initial setup work.
Charles Leclerc placed his Ferrari in third, 0.350 seconds behind the leading Red Bull. McLaren’s Lando Norris finished fourth, with George Russell completing the top five for Mercedes.
Track conditions remained dry throughout the session. Ambient temperatures reached 21°C, with the track surface at 32°C. Most teams utilized medium and soft compound Pirelli tyres for their initial runs.
Verstappen commented on the session, stating, ‘The car felt balanced, but there is always room for improvement, especially in the first sector.’ His feedback will guide further adjustments.
Red Bull Racing’s performance suggests a strong start to the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. The team will now analyze data to optimize settings for the upcoming sessions.
No significant incidents or red flags disrupted the 60-minute Free Practice 1 session. Attention now shifts to Free Practice 2, scheduled for later this afternoon.
