The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps is always a special event, but this year's edition was particularly intriguing, with a focus on harvesting strategies and new parts testing. While the race weekend itself is a spectacle, the practice sessions provide a fascinating insight into the teams' preparations and the drivers' performances. Let's delve into the winners and losers from Friday's practice sessions, with a heavy dose of personal commentary and analysis.
Kimi Antonelli: The Early Leader
Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, emerged as the standout performer in Friday's practice sessions. His strong showing in both FP1 and FP2 was a significant course correction for Mercedes, who had hinted at a harder weekend than anticipated. Personally, I find Antonelli's performance particularly fascinating. His ability to adapt and improve between sessions is a testament to his skill and the team's strategic prowess. What makes this even more interesting is the contrast between Mercedes' relatively low-key performance in FP1 and Antonelli's dominance in FP2. It raises a deeper question: Can Mercedes maintain this momentum, or will Antonelli's early lead prove to be a fluke?
George Russell: Struggling Mercedes Driver
In stark contrast to Antonelli, George Russell, also driving for Mercedes, found himself well off the pace in both practice sessions. His deficit of three-tenths to Antonelli in FP1 and 1.285s in FP2 is a cause for concern, especially given the long straights at Spa-Francorchamps. From my perspective, Russell's struggles suggest that Mercedes may need to re-evaluate their strategy and car setup. What many people don't realize is that the power unit issue in FP1 was partly to blame for Russell's deficit. Despite this, he still needs to close the gap quickly, as Spa-Francorchamps is not a track where Mercedes typically excels.
Max Verstappen: The Contender
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, topped a practice session for the first time in 2026 with his FP1 performance, and then finished third in FP2. His usual gearbox gripes were evident, but the positives were clear: long-run pace sufficient to put him in contention with Mercedes, and short runs that could put him in pole contention. In my opinion, Verstappen's performance is a strong indicator of his title aspirations. The half-second gap between him and FP2 leader Antonelli is respectable, and his team-mate Isack Hadjar's back-of-grid engine penalty adds an interesting dynamic to the equation.
Aston Martin: The Underperforming Team
Aston Martin, known for its B-spec car, faced another humbling weekend at Spa. Team representative Mike Krack insists the pace is not worse than expected, but the timesheets tell a different story. Both cars were over five seconds adrift in both sessions, and the regular drivers are aware they're fighting for nothing. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between Aston Martin's expectations and the reality on track. It raises a deeper question: Can Aston Martin turn things around, or will this be another season of underperformance?
Franco Colapinto: The Surprise Package
Alpine's Franco Colapinto sprung the biggest surprise in FP2, going seventh for Alpine, ahead of Mercedes' struggling George Russell. His performance was all the more impressive given that he beat team-mate Pierre Gasly in both practice sessions. Personally, I find Colapinto's turn of pace especially interesting, especially given the cooler conditions and lower-speed corners at Spa-Francorchamps. What this really suggests is that Colapinto may have found a sweet spot with the car, and his results could have a significant impact on Alpine's strategy for the rest of the season.
Pierre Gasly: The Crash-Bound Driver
Pierre Gasly's crash exiting the Fagnes chicane tore off his rear wing and damaged his tyres at the end of FP2. The fate of his gearbox and drivetrain is unknown, and his fastest laptime was deleted. From my perspective, Gasly's crash is a stark reminder of the risks drivers face on the track. It also raises a deeper question: Can Alpine recover from this setback, or will it be a long evening for the team?
Haas: The Decent Showers
Haas had a decent showing on Friday, with Ollie Bearman saying the car 'felt strong'. The team tested a new front wing, which Bearman said represented a slight improvement, despite conceding the team was 'nowhere near' Racing Bulls and Alpine. Personally, I find Haas' performance interesting, especially given their recent struggles. Their ability to make incremental improvements and maintain a competitive spirit is a testament to their resilience. What this really suggests is that Haas may be on the cusp of a breakthrough, and their performance could have a significant impact on the midfield battle.
Conclusion: The Takeaway
Friday's practice sessions at Spa-Francorchamps provided a fascinating insight into the teams' preparations and the drivers' performances. From Kimi Antonelli's early lead to Pierre Gasly's crash, the day was filled with surprises and revelations. As the race weekend unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these performances translate into qualifying and the race itself. One thing that immediately stands out is the importance of strategic adjustments and the impact of track conditions. If you take a step back and think about it, the Belgian Grand Prix is always a spectacle, but this year's edition is shaping up to be particularly intriguing, with a focus on harvesting strategies and the teams' ability to adapt and improve.
