Belgian GP FP1: Piastri tops timesheets at Spa with a super 2nd sector

The iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps kicked off the Belgian Grand Prix weekend with a solitary Free Practice 1 session, setting the stage for the third Sprint event of the 2025 season. Under initially misty, then sunny skies with track temperatures climbing to 39.1°C, teams had just 60 minutes to fine-tune their cars for both Sprint Qualifying and Sunday's Grand Prix. This compressed schedule, coupled with the ever-present threat of Ardennes rain, made every lap crucial.

McLaren Sets the Pace in FP1

Oscar Piastri emerged as the dominant force in the session, topping the timesheets with a commanding 1:42.022 on the Soft compound tyre. His McLaren looked exceptionally well-balanced through Spa's challenging corners, suggesting a strong high-downforce setup. Teammate Lando Norris, fresh off back-to-back wins, also showed promising pace, securing third position, just half a second adrift of Piastri, despite a minor wide moment at Stavelot. McLaren's early performance indicates they are keen to maintain their championship momentum.

Red Bull and Ferrari Show Their Hand

Max Verstappen, piloting the Red Bull, finished second, 0.404 seconds behind Piastri. The reigning champion's car was seen sporting flow-vis paint, indicating Red Bull's focus on data gathering and potentially testing new components or setup directions. While not topping the session, Verstappen's proximity to the McLarens suggests Red Bull will be a formidable contender once they dial in their package.

Ferrari, arriving with a new rear suspension to complement their recent floor upgrades, demonstrated solid pace. Charles Leclerc secured fifth place, while Lewis Hamilton, despite reporting some rear locking and instability early on, managed a respectable seventh. The Scuderia's performance will be closely watched as they aim to maximize the potential of their updated machinery.

Mercedes' Intriguing Tyre Strategy

Mercedes opted for a different approach to their rivals, with George Russell delivering a highly impressive fourth place on the Medium compound tyre, showcasing strong long-run potential. Kimi Antonelli also performed well, placing sixth on the Mediums. Neither Mercedes driver ran the Soft tyre during the session, a strategic choice that could pay dividends later in the weekend, particularly given the mandatory Medium tyre usage in the initial phases of Sprint Qualifying. This decision highlights their focus on race pace and understanding the less aggressive compounds.

Early Session Challenges and Incidents

The limited practice time proved costly for some. Carlos Sainz faced immediate issues with a fuel system problem, keeping his Williams in the pits for a significant portion of the session. This lost track time will undoubtedly put him on the back foot for Sprint Qualifying. Lance Stroll also had a delayed start due to a seat change, but managed to get out and put in a competitive eighth-place lap on the Softs, demonstrating the potential of Aston Martin's upgraded package.

An incident between Franco Colapinto and George Russell was noted by the stewards for impeding, though no further action was taken. Such moments underscore the challenge of managing traffic on the lengthy Spa circuit, especially with all 20 cars eager to maximize their limited running.

Tyre Strategy and Sprint Weekend Dynamics

The unique Sprint weekend format, with only one practice session, places immense pressure on teams to make the right setup and tyre choices. Pirelli's decision to skip a compound (C1, C3, C4 available) adds another layer of complexity. While many teams started on the Hard compound, Red Bull and Haas notably began on the Mediums. The mandatory Mediums for SQ1 and SQ2, followed by Softs for SQ3, means teams had to balance gathering data for both qualifying and race simulations. Those who ran Mediums extensively in FP1, like Red Bull, Haas, Racing Bulls, and Mercedes, might have an advantage in understanding that compound for Sprint Qualifying.

Looking Ahead to Sprint Qualifying

With FP1 concluded, all eyes now turn to Sprint Qualifying. The session provided a tantalizing glimpse of the pecking order, with McLaren appearing to have a slight edge. However, the varying tyre strategies and the inherent unpredictability of Spa, especially with the ever-present threat of rain, mean that surprises could be in store. The abridged qualifying format will demand immediate performance, and any missteps could prove costly. The battle for the first pole position of the weekend promises to be fast and frantic.