Formula One returns to one of the worldâs most iconic race tracks this weekend as the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit hosts the Belgian Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri claimed the first win of his F1 career last time out in Hungary as he took the chequered flag ahead of team-mate Lando Norris after the Brit eventually succumbed to McLarenâs team orders.
Lewis Hamilton finished on the podium in third while Max Verstappen endured a Sunday to forget as he argued with his race engineer and crashed into Hamilton late on, ultimately finishing fifth. Despite this, Verstappen still has a 76-point lead in the world championship to Norris in second with 11 races remaining.
The Red Bull driver looks set to take a 10-place grid penalty this Sunday due to taking a new engine, though he has won from down the grid in the last two years at Spa. It is also a big weekend for his team-mate Sergio Perez, with uncertainty surrounding his future at the team following a run of poor results.
Follow live updates from the Belgian Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX – LATEST UPDATES
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Max Verstappen quickest in qualifying but starts P11 due to penalty
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Charles Leclerc will start on pole; Perez P2; Hamilton P3
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Daniel Ricciardo out in Q2, also out; Albon, Gasly, Bottas, Stroll
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Yuki Tsunoda out in Q1, also out: Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Sargeant, Zhou
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CRASH! Lance Stroll hits the wall in practice
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PREVIEW: Lando Norris must start converting potential into race wins
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Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda receive grid penalties
Sergio Perez after qualifying in third, P2 for tomorrow:
16:10 , Kieran Jackson
âIt was very tricky conditions. It was good to finally put it together. We didnât have any new tyres in Q3, we were a bit lucky to make it from Q2. This was the best we could do. Itâs a long race ahead of us, it looks like it will be dry so weâll see.
âTomorrow is a new opportunity for us to do better than today and go for that win. Itâs a very long race, tomorrow degradation will be tricky. There are a lot of unknowns, I have a good feeling so weâll se.â
TOP-11 ON GRID AT SPA:
16:06 , Kieran Jackson
1. Charles Leclerc
2. Sergio Perez
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. Lando Norris
5. Oscar Piastri
6. George Russell
7. Carlos Sainz
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Esteban Ocon
10. Alex Albon
11. Max Verstappen*
*Verstappen takes a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his engine allocation
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen goes quickest in qualifying!
16:03 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen the quickest man out there but with his 10-place grid drop he will start in 11th!
So who is on pole position?! Itâs Charles Leclerc who produces a terrific lap to go P2 and take pole position!
3-10: Perez, Hamilton, Norris, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Alonso, Ocon
What happened to McLaren?! Only P5 for Norris, which will be P4 tomorrow!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen on provisional pole
15:56 , Kieran Jackson
Some daylight for Max Verstappen, who is top of the timesheet by six-tenths!
And whoâs in second? His Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez! What a lap from the Mexican!
Lewis Hamilton is in third, with Oscar Piastri fourth and George Russell fifth.
6-10: Norris, Sainz, Leclerc, Alonso, Ocon
And it looks like rain could be imminent – could that be that then?!
5:00 to go…
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Q3 underway!
15:49 , Kieran Jackson
Here we go then with the top-10 shootout!
10 drivers involved: Verstappen, Perez, Piastri, Norris, Hamilton, Russell, Leclerc, Sainz, Ocon, Alonso
Who will be on pole position at Spa?!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Sergio Perez escapes!
15:45 , Kieran Jackson
So close – but Perez escapes by 0.003 seconds to Alex Albon in 11th!
Relief for the Red Bull driver!
Bottom-five and out in Q2 (11-15): Albon, Gasly, Ricciardo, Bottas, Stroll
Fairly tight for Lando Norris in eighth too!
Top-3: Verstappen, Hamilton, Russell
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Sergio Perez in P10!
15:39 , Kieran Jackson
Russell and Leclerc get themselves out of the bottom-five – a bottom-five which is changing all the time as the track improves!
Current bottom-five (11-15): Ricciardo, Alonso, Gasly, Bottas, Stroll
2:00 to go…
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Russell and Leclerc in trouble early on
15:34 , Kieran Jackson
Still inters, but George Russell and Charles Leclerc are in the bottom-five after the first flying laps!
Current bottom-five (11-15): Russell, Gasly, Leclerc, Bottas, Stroll
Hamilton and Sainz in P9 and P10. 7:00 to go in Q2…
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen….
15:29 , Kieran Jackson
âItâs raining a little bit right?â
Engineer: âVery light drizzle Max.â
Itâs getting close to slick tyres on track – unless it rains heavily again of course!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Q2 underway!
15:26 , Kieran Jackson
The Williams of Alex Albon leads the queue out of the pits for Q2!
15 minutes where we will again lose the slowest five drivers!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Russell escapes!
15:22 , Kieran Jackson
With ease in the end, as Russell goes P7!
Yuki Tsunoda is out, though he is starting at the back anyway!
Bottom-five and out in Q1 (16-20): Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Tsunoda, Sargeant, Zhou
Bit hairy for Norris and Hamilton, in 13th and 14th respectively!
Top-3: Piastri, Gasly, Verstappen
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: George Russell in trouble!
15:17 , Kieran Jackson
Two minutes to go and George Russell is down in P17, 0.174 secs off the pace!
Current bottom-five (16-20): Sargeant, Russell, Bottas, Zhou, Hulkenberg
Can Russell escape?! Heâll have one more pop at it…
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: No sign of the rain!
15:14 , Kieran Jackson
A lot of cars now pitting for new intermediate tyres, with dry sections of the track opening up and no rain arriving yet!
Current bottom-five (16-20): Magnussen, Albon, Hulkenberg, Sargeant, Stroll
Fernando Alonso in trouble in P15, while Lando Norris is P12!
4:00 to go…
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Oscar Piastriâs engineer….
15:10 , Kieran Jackson
âThere could be heavier rain in two minutes.â
9:00 to go and the leaderboard ever-changing at the moment!
Current bottom-five (16-20): Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Sargeant, Zhou, Stroll
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen fastest early on
15:08 , Kieran Jackson
Statement early time from Verstappen, who goes quickest by 1.4 seconds. Piastri 2nd, Leclerc 3rd.
More importantly, the bottom-five after the first flying laps (16-20): Zhou, Albon, Bottas, Stroll, Sargeant
Lando Norris needs an improvement, heâs P15!
11:00 to go. No sign of any rain yet, so the track continues to dry…
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lando Norrisâ engineer
15:02 , Kieran Jackson
âItâs possible in these conditions we should go for it on the first timed lap, heavier rain in 8 minutes.â
Big early laps then for the drivers…
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Q1 underway
15:01 , Kieran Jackson
A big queue at the end of the pit-lane as we get Q1 underway – maybe a lot of them think they need to get a time on the board asap, with rain on the way!
A reminder: 18-minute session where we will lose the slowest five drivers from the rest of qualifying…
No DRS due to the rain and, incidentally, Aston Martin have fixed Strollâs car after his accident in third practice.
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Qualifying at Spa!
14:58 , Kieran Jackson
Here we go then!
Itâs overcast and misty in the Ardennes forest – but itâs not raining currently! Rain chance during the session: 80%.
There is a lot of standing water though, so the 20 drivers are near-certain to start with intermediate tyres…
Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:
14:50 , Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen – 265 points
2. Lando Norris – 189 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 162 points
4. Carlos Sainz – 154 points
5. Oscar Piastri – 149 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 125 points
7. Sergio Perez – 124 points
8. George Russell – 116 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 45 points
10. Lance Stroll – 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg – 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo – 11 points
14. Oliver Bearman – 6 points
15. Pierre Gasly – 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen – 5 points
17. Alex Albon – 4 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 3 points
19. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Wet on track but not raining currently
14:48 , Kieran Jackson
This should be dramatic this afternoon!
Itâs very wet on track but at the moment itâs not raining. Should be intermediate tyres, but will the track perhaps dry out enough over the hour-long session for slick tyres?
Weâll find out at 3pm!
Lando Norris suggests McLaren should consider making him undisputed number one
14:44 , Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris finished fastest in practice for the Belgian Grand Prix and said McLaren must consider making him their undisputed number one in order to deliver the British teamâs first world title in 16 years.
Norris will be handed a golden opportunity to slash the 76-point championship deficit to Max Verstappen at Formula Oneâs concluding round before a four-week summer shutdown, with his rival to serve a 10-place grid sanction.
Verstappenâs Red Bull has been fitted with a fifth internal combustion engine, one more than the world champion is permitted, meaning the highest he can start will be 11th.
Full piece below:
Lando Norris suggests McLaren should consider making him undisputed number one
Constructorsâ Championship ahead of this weekend:
14:41 , Kieran Jackson
1. Red Bull – 389 points
2. McLaren – 338 points
3. Ferrari – 322 points
4. Mercedes – 241 points
5. Aston Martin – 69 points
6. RB – 33 points
7. Haas – 27 points
8. Alpine – 9 points
9. Williams – 4 points
10. Sauber – 0 points
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Martin Brundle on Max Verstappenâs behaviour on team radio in Hungary
14:39 , Kieran Jackson
“I don’t think you can rinse your team in public like that – it wasn’t his proudest moment” ð¬
Martin Brundle on his disappointment with Max Verstappen for his radio outburst in Hungary ð pic.twitter.com/KS3wOXvalq
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 27, 2024
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Itâs a big day for Sergio Perez
14:35 , Kieran Jackson
The Red Bull driver really needs a strong qualifying session today, after crashing out in Q1 in the last two races.
With Max Verstappen starting down the order too, itâs got to fall into place for Checo in the rain this afternoon.
REMINDER: Max Verstappen to take a 10-place grid penalty
14:30 , Kieran Jackson
Itâs been confirmed by Red Bull that Max Verstappen will take a 10-place grid penalty for Sundayâs Belgian Grand Prix.
It comes after the Dutchman exceeded his engine allowance, with his car fitted with its fifth internal combustion unit of the season, one more permitted than the regulations.
It means an automatic 10-place grid drop following qualifying today. So pole position would actually only amount to 11th on the grid…
PREVIEW: Lando Norris must start converting potential into race wins
14:25 , Kieran Jackson
Ahead of this weekendâs Belgian Grand Prix at the prestigious Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Lando Norris trails Max Verstappen by 76 points in the F1 driversâ championship. After the Dutchman won four of the first five races, it is to McLarenâs credit that they have caught Red Bull in the development race and, on the evidence of the last month, have overtaken Adrian Neweyâs ground-effects juggernaut, most effectively in the second half of the grand prix on Sunday.
But what will be to Norrisâs immense frustration is this: the deficit should be narrower.
Full piece below:
Lando Norris must start converting potential into race wins â but one problem lingers
Start times in Belgium this weekend:
14:22 , Kieran Jackson
Saturday 27 July
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Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 21 July
Lance Stroll crashes in Belgian GP practice as heavy rain falls at Spa
14:16 , Kieran Jackson
Lance Stroll was involved in a heavy crash during practice at the Belgian Grand Prix on a wet Saturday morning at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Canadian driver, 15 minutes into the third and final practice session, lost control of his Aston Martin car going up the famous Eau Rouge hill section.
The car aquaplaned off the circuit, spun and his left-side smashed into the barrier, resulting in his front-left wheel flying up and out of position.
Lance Stroll crashes in Belgian GP practice as heavy rain falls at Spa
Jacques Villeneuve: Sergio Perez would not claim a seat at Williams, let alone Red Bull
14:12 , Kieran Jackson
Sergio Perez would not get a seat at Williams right now amid his Red Bull struggles, says former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve.
The Mexican driver has endured a torrid few months, scoring just 15 points in his last six appearances, with team boss Christian Horner admitting that the 34-year-oldâs form is currently âunsustainable.â
Amid speculation Perez â who only signed a new deal until the end of 2025 a month ago â could be dropped mid-season, the Mexican spun in Q1 and crashed out, leaving him 16th on the grid for Sundayâs Hungarian Grand Prix.
And 1997 world champion Villeneuve, who was highly critical of Daniel Ricciardo last month, insisted in a conversation about Williamsâs driver choice for 2025 that Perez should not be on their list.
Full piece below:
Jacques Villeneuve: Sergio Perez would not get a seat at Williams, let alone Red Bull
Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:
13:44 , Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen – 265 points
2. Lando Norris – 189 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 162 points
4. Carlos Sainz – 154 points
5. Oscar Piastri – 149 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 125 points
7. Sergio Perez – 124 points
8. George Russell – 116 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 45 points
10. Lance Stroll – 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg – 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo – 11 points
14. Oliver Bearman – 6 points
15. Pierre Gasly – 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen – 5 points
17. Alex Albon – 4 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 3 points
19. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
Lewis Hamilton hits out at Max Verstappen over X-rated radio exchanges with team
13:31 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton has accused Max Verstappen of not acting like a world champion after the Dutchman told his critics to âturn the volume downâ if they do not like his language.
Verstappen, who is set to serve a 10-place grid penalty at Sundayâs Belgian Grand Prix for exceeding his permitted engine parts, has faced a backlash after he turned the airwaves blue in Hungary last weekend.
Full piece below:
Lewis Hamilton hits out at Max Verstappen over X-rated radio exchanges with team
F1 weather forecast:
13:08 , Kieran Jackson
Qualifying on Saturday at 4pm (3pm BST) also shows overcast conditions with a 50% chance of rain, which could make the fight for pole position interesting with drivers and teams having to be sharp in switching tyres dependent on the conditions.
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: FP3 RESULTS IN FULL
12:51 , Kieran Jackson
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen quickest in FP3
12:35 , Kieran Jackson
Prior to Strollâs crash we had about 14 minutes of wet-weather running – and Max Verstappen was quickest, ahead of Oscar Piastri in second.
3. Pierre Gasly
4. Lando Norris
5. Esteban Ocon
6. Charles Leclerc
7. Lance Stroll
8. Valtteri Bottas
9. Lewis Hamilton
10. Sergio Perez
But all in all, not much we can tell from that.
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Session resumes!
12:31 , Kieran Jackson
The FIA feel as though the track is OK for just two minutes of running at the end of the practice session.
Carlos Sainz the first car out – and immediately slides off track! It is very, very wet.
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: RED FLAG!
12:12 , Kieran Jackson
The FIA race director has stopped the session again, though no cars were on track anyway.
Too much standing water out on track right now. The safety car is going through the motions now but with 20 minutes to go, I doubt weâll get anymore running in this session.
WATCH: Lance Strollâs crash in practice
12:06 , Kieran Jackson
Lance Stroll crashes in Belgian GP practice as heavy rain falls at Spa
11:58 , Kieran Jackson
Lance Stroll was involved in a heavy crash during practice at the Belgian Grand Prix on a wet Saturday morning at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Canadian driver, 15 minutes into the third and final practice session, lost control of his Aston Martin car going up the famous Eau Rouge hill section.
The car aquaplaned off the circuit, spun and his left-side smashed into the barrier, resulting in his front-left wheel flying up and out of position.
Lance Stroll crashes in Belgian GP practice as heavy rain falls at Spa
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Session resumes!
11:52 , Kieran Jackson
Stroll is all OK but has been taken back to the pits in the medical car.
With 39 minutes left, the session resumes yet with the rain falling heavily, thereâs no action out on track straight away.
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lance Stroll crash
11:46 , Kieran Jackson
The Aston Martin driver made his way up the hill before his car aquaplained off the track, spun and quite lightly tapped the barrier!
It could have been much worse!
Red flag – session stops with 15 minutes gone.
RED FLAG!
11:45 , Kieran Jackson
Lance Stroll has put it in the wall at Eau Rouge!
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Verstappen runs off track
11:33 , Kieran Jackson
Itâs pretty wet out there and a host of drivers are sliding off track (safely) so far – a combination of the intermediate and extreme wet tyre in use.
Around 10 cars out there at the moment.
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Third practice in Spa!
11:30 , Kieran Jackson
Weâre underway then with the third and final hour of practice – but how much running will we actually get in this session?
Will the drivers actually want to risk their cars and use their tyres in rain?
A few cars out from the off – including Max Verstappen!
FP3 IN BELGIUM!
11:28 , Kieran Jackson
Third practice in Belgium!
11:27 , Kieran Jackson
Itâs time for the third and final hour of practice – and itâs wet in the Ardennes forest!
Who will set the final benchmark – McLaren, Red Bull or a different team?!
Bruno Famin to leave role as Alpine team principal
11:18 , Kieran Jackson
Big news coming out of Alpine yesterday.
Team statement: âBWT Alpine F1 Team can confirm that Bruno Famin will move away from his current role as Team Principal of the F1 division by the end of August. Bruno will be in charge of all other Motorsport activities of the Renault Group at Viry-Chatillon.
âA new Team Principal will be announced in due course.â
Max Verstappen to take a 10-place grid penalty
10:56 , Kieran Jackson
Itâs been confirmed by Red Bull that Max Verstappen will take a 10-place grid penalty for Sundayâs Belgian Grand Prix.
It comes after the Dutchman exceeding his engine allowance, with his car fitted with its fifth internal combustion unit of the season, one more permitted than the regulations.
It means an automatic 10-place grid drop following qualifying today.
Constructorsâ Championship ahead of this weekend:
10:44 , Kieran Jackson
1. Red Bull – 389 points
2. McLaren – 338 points
3. Ferrari – 322 points
4. Mercedes – 241 points
5. Aston Martin – 69 points
6. RB – 33 points
7. Haas – 27 points
8. Alpine – 9 points
9. Williams – 4 points
10. Sauber – 0 points
Lando Norris must start converting potential into race wins
10:29 , Kieran Jackson
Ahead of this weekendâs Belgian Grand Prix at the prestigious Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Lando Norris trails Max Verstappen by 76 points in the F1 driversâ championship. After the Dutchman won four of the first five races, it is to McLarenâs credit that they have caught Red Bull in the development race and, on the evidence of the last month, have overtaken Adrian Neweyâs ground-effects juggernaut, most effectively in the second half of the grand prix on Sunday.
But what will be to Norrisâs immense frustration is this: the deficit should be narrower.
Full piece below:
Lando Norris must start converting potential into race wins â but one problem lingers
Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:
10:18 , Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen – 265 points
2. Lando Norris – 189 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 162 points
4. Carlos Sainz – 154 points
5. Oscar Piastri – 149 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 125 points
7. Sergio Perez – 124 points
8. George Russell – 116 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 45 points
10. Lance Stroll – 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg – 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo – 11 points
14. Oliver Bearman – 6 points
15. Pierre Gasly – 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen – 5 points
17. Alex Albon – 4 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 3 points
19. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
Lando Norris suggests McLaren should consider making him undisputed number one
10:13 , Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris finished fastest in practice for the Belgian Grand Prix and said McLaren must consider making him their undisputed number one in order to deliver the British teamâs first world title in 16 years.
Norris will be handed a golden opportunity to slash the 76-point championship deficit to Max Verstappen at Formula Oneâs concluding round before a four-week summer shutdown, with his rival to serve a 10-place grid sanction.
Verstappenâs Red Bull has been fitted with a fifth internal combustion engine, one more than the world champion is permitted, meaning the highest he can start will be 11th.
Full piece below:
Lando Norris suggests McLaren should consider making him undisputed number one
Start times in Belgium this weekend:
10:06 , Kieran Jackson
Saturday 27 July
-
Free practice 3: 11:30am
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Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 21 July
OFFICIAL: Max Verstappen to take a 10-place grid penalty
Friday 26 July 2024 15:52 , Kieran Jackson
Itâs now been confirmed by Red Bull that Max Verstappen will take a 10-place grid penalty for Sundayâs Belgian Grand Prix.
It comes after the Dutchman exceeding his engine allowance, with his car fitted with its fifth internal combustion unit of the season, one more permitted than the regulations.
It means an autoamtic 10-place grid drop following qualifying tomorrow.
Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:
Friday 26 July 2024 15:45 , Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen – 265 points
2. Lando Norris – 189 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 162 points
4. Carlos Sainz – 154 points
5. Oscar Piastri – 149 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 125 points
7. Sergio Perez – 124 points
8. George Russell – 116 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 45 points
10. Lance Stroll – 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg – 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo – 11 points
14. Oliver Bearman – 6 points
15. Pierre Gasly – 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen – 5 points
17. Alex Albon – 4 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 3 points
19. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
COMMENT: The lesson McLaren must learn after Oscar Piastri win turns sour amid Lando Norris row
Friday 26 July 2024 15:31 , Kieran Jackson
As the laps remaining tumbled down at the end of the Hungarian Grand Prix, there was one topic on everyoneâs lips as a papaya storm brewed at the front. Will Lando Norris â Formula Oneâs Mr Popular â follow the instructions of his team? Or, in a shock twist, wonât he?
Norris, a championship contender for the first time, was put in an unenviable position by McLaren at the Hungaroring on Sunday. Having regained the lead of the race through the teamâs questionable pit-stop strategy, the British driver was extending his lead on the track from teammate Oscar Piastri, originally in first after a super move at the start.
The gap was six seconds and there were less than five laps remaining. With his race engineer Will Joseph imploring his driver to follow protocol â âplease, do it nowâ â Norris had to swing one way or the other. Be selfless, or selfish?
The lesson McLaren must learn after Piastriâs win turns sour amid Norris row
Haas F1 announce driver to partner Ollie Bearman next year
Friday 26 July 2024 15:18 , Kieran Jackson
Haas have announced that Esteban Ocon will join the F1 team in 2025 to partner Ollie Bearman.
Danish driver Kevin Magnussen, who rejoined the team in 2022 after a previous four-year stint between 2017-2020, has not had his contract extended by the American-owned F1 outfit.
And French driver Ocon, currently racing for Alpine, has been confirmed as the driver to replace Magnussen as Ayao Komatsu wields the changes for next season.
Ocon, 27, teams up with British teenager and Ferrari academy star Bearman, who has already been confirmed as a Haas driver next year.
Haas F1 announce driver to partner Ollie Bearman next year
NEW: Bruno Famin to leave role as Alpine team principal
Friday 26 July 2024 14:55 , Kieran Jackson
Big news coming out of Alpine this afternoon!
Team statement: âBWT Alpine F1 Team can confirm that Bruno Famin will move away from his current role as Team Principal of the F1 division by the end of August. Bruno will be in charge of all other Motorsport activities of the Renault Group at Viry-Chatillon.
âA new Team Principal will be announced in due course.â
2024 Constructorsâ Standings ahead of this weekend:
Friday 26 July 2024 14:48 , Kieran Jackson
1. Red Bull – 389 points
2. McLaren – 338 points
3. Ferrari – 322 points
4. Mercedes – 241 points
5. Aston Martin – 69 points
6. RB – 33 points
7. Haas – 27 points
8. Alpine – 9 points
9. Williams – 4 points
10. Sauber – 0 points
Max Verstappen denies Red Bull gaming ban: âItâs something very important in my lifeâ
Friday 26 July 2024 14:18 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen insists he has not been banned from late-night sim-racing on a grand prix weekend by Red Bull as the fallout from his behaviour in Hungary continues
The three-time F1 world champion lost his rag last Sunday in Budapest, repeatedly swearing at engineer Gianpiero Lambiase and labelling the teamâs in-race strategy âs***â, hours after he stayed up until 3am to game with his sim-racing side, Team Redline.
Respected F1 pundit Martin Brundle said the radio exchanges made him âuncomfortableâ and when members of the media post-race asked the Dutchman about criticism of his team radio conduct, Verstappen said âthey can all f*** off.â
Max Verstappen denies Red Bull gaming ban: âItâs something very important in my lifeâ
McLaren CEO Zak Brown:
Friday 26 July 2024 13:56 , Kieran Jackson
âI know Lando very well, I had no doubt thatâd be move over. We left it too long, they were free to race, we should have made it earlier.
âOscar was flying, the under-cut presented a big gap. You donât want them racing to the last lap!â
âTotally understand, he gets in the lead and is fighting for the world championship, but heâs a team player. I always knew thatâd be the case. Itâs important people understand, they are free to race. It was about re-establishing the order.
âThe constructorsâ championship is on. Maxâs bad days are second or third, thatâll be something we discuss over the summer break.â
NEW: Yuki Tsunoda to take a grid penalty after taking a new power unit
Friday 26 July 2024 13:42 , Kieran Jackson
Tsunoda is now on a fifth ICE, turbocharger, MGU-H and MGU-K as well as his third energy store and third set of control electronics.
As per F1âs regulations, should a driver use more power unit elements than the number permitted, a grid place penalty will be imposed upon them at the first event where each additional element is used.
Max Verstappen will receive a 10-place grid spot but Tsunoda will start from the back of the grid.
FP1 at the Belgian Grand Prix!
Friday 26 July 2024 12:25 , Kieran Jackson
Weâre a few minutes away now from first practice at Spa-Francorchamps!
In contrast to the weather forecast, itâs dry and sunny in the Ardennes forest – perfect conditions to get up to speed at what is the longest circuit on the F1 calendar!
Who will set the early pace?
Jacques Villeneuve: Sergio Perez would not claim a seat at Williams, let alone Red Bull
Friday 26 July 2024 12:20 , Kieran Jackson
Sergio Perez would not get a seat at Williams right now amid his Red Bull struggles, says former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve.
The Mexican driver has endured a torrid few months, scoring just 15 points in his last six appearances, with team boss Christian Horner admitting that the 34-year-oldâs form is currently âunsustainable.â
Amid speculation Perez â who only signed a new deal until the end of 2025 a month ago â could be dropped mid-season, the Mexican spun in Q1 and crashed out, leaving him 16th on the grid for Sundayâs Hungarian Grand Prix.
And 1997 world champion Villeneuve, who was highly critical of Daniel Ricciardo last month, insisted in a conversation about Williamsâs driver choice for 2025 that Perez should not be on their list.
Full piece below:
Jacques Villeneuve: Sergio Perez would not get a seat at Williams, let alone Red Bull
Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:
Friday 26 July 2024 12:10 , Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen – 265 points
2. Lando Norris – 189 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 162 points
4. Carlos Sainz – 154 points
5. Oscar Piastri – 149 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 125 points
7. Sergio Perez – 124 points
8. George Russell – 116 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 45 points
10. Lance Stroll – 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg – 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo – 11 points
14. Oliver Bearman – 6 points
15. Pierre Gasly – 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen – 5 points
17. Alex Albon – 4 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 3 points
19. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
Itâs a big weekend for Sergio Perez:
Friday 26 July 2024 12:00 , Kieran Jackson
The Red Bull driver really needs a strong race at Spa after a few months to forget and his seat very much in danger now…
Start times for the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend:
Friday 26 July 2024 11:45 , Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Friday 26 July
-
Free practice 1: 12:30pm
-
Free practice 2: 4pm
Saturday 27 July
-
Free practice 3: 11:30am
-
Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 21 July
COMMENT: The lesson McLaren must learn after Oscar Piastri win turns sour amid Lando Norris row
Friday 26 July 2024 11:30 , Kieran Jackson
As the laps remaining tumbled down at the end of the Hungarian Grand Prix, there was one topic on everyoneâs lips as a papaya storm brewed at the front. Will Lando Norris â Formula Oneâs Mr Popular â follow the instructions of his team? Or, in a shock twist, wonât he?
Norris, a championship contender for the first time, was put in an unenviable position by McLaren at the Hungaroring on Sunday. Having regained the lead of the race through the teamâs questionable pit-stop strategy, the British driver was extending his lead on the track from teammate Oscar Piastri, originally in first after a super move at the start.
The gap was six seconds and there were less than five laps remaining. With his race engineer Will Joseph imploring his driver to follow protocol â âplease, do it nowâ â Norris had to swing one way or the other. Be selfless, or selfish?
The lesson McLaren must learn after Piastriâs win turns sour amid Norris row
How can I watch it online and on TV?
Friday 26 July 2024 11:15 , Kieran Jackson
The Belgian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom – and ESPN in the United States. Skyâs coverage of Sundayâs race starts at 12:30pm (BST).
You can watch highlights on free-to-air Channel 4 at 7:30pm (BST) on Saturday evening for qualifying and 6:30pm on Sunday evening for the race.
Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action at Spa-Francorchamps on the Sky Go app. If youâre not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
If youâre travelling abroad and want to watch the Belgian Grand Prix then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market.
Haas F1 announce driver to partner Ollie Bearman next year
Friday 26 July 2024 11:00 , Kieran Jackson
Haas have announced that Esteban Ocon will join the F1 team in 2025 to partner Ollie Bearman.
Danish driver Kevin Magnussen, who rejoined the team in 2022 after a previous four-year stint between 2017-2020, has not had his contract extended by the American-owned F1 outfit.
And French driver Ocon, currently racing for Alpine, has been confirmed as the driver to replace Magnussen as Ayao Komatsu wields the changes for next season.
Ocon, 27, teams up with British teenager and Ferrari academy star Bearman, who has already been confirmed as a Haas driver next year.
Haas F1 announce driver to partner Ollie Bearman next year
Belgian GP 2024 F1 weather forecast: Rain expected at Spa-Francorchamps
Friday 26 July 2024 10:27 , Kieran Jackson
The Belgian Grand Prix starts on Friday and the weather is set to be mixed over the three days of action at the world-famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
For practice on Friday, rain is expected throughout the day, starting off very heavy in the morning before gradually easing as the afternoon progresses.
The Met Office forecast states a 50% chance of rain for first practice at 1:30pm (CET), following a morning where downpours are anticipated.
More detail below:
Belgian GP 2024 F1 weather forecast: Rain expected at Spa-Francorchamps
2024 Constructorsâ Standings ahead of this weekend:
Friday 26 July 2024 10:14 , Kieran Jackson
1. Red Bull – 389 points
2. McLaren – 338 points
3. Ferrari – 322 points
4. Mercedes – 241 points
5. Aston Martin – 69 points
6. RB – 33 points
7. Haas – 27 points
8. Alpine – 9 points
9. Williams – 4 points
10. Sauber – 0 points
Lewis Hamilton hits out at Max Verstappen over X-rated radio exchanges with team
Friday 26 July 2024 09:57 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton has accused Max Verstappen of not acting like a world champion after the Dutchman told his critics to âturn the volume downâ if they do not like his language.
Verstappen, who is set to serve a 10-place grid penalty at Sundayâs Belgian Grand Prix for exceeding his permitted engine parts, has faced a backlash after he turned the airwaves blue in Hungary last weekend.
Full piece below:
Lewis Hamilton hits out at Max Verstappen over X-rated radio exchanges with team
2024 Driver Standings
Friday 26 July 2024 09:46 , Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen – 265 points
2. Lando Norris – 189 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 162 points
4. Carlos Sainz – 154 points
5. Oscar Piastri – 149 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 125 points
7. Sergio Perez – 124 points
8. George Russell – 116 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 45 points
10. Lance Stroll – 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg – 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo – 11 points
14. Oliver Bearman – 6 points
15. Pierre Gasly – 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen – 5 points
17. Alex Albon – 4 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 3 points
19. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
Max Verstappen denies Red Bull gaming ban: âItâs something very important in my lifeâ
Friday 26 July 2024 09:42 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen insists he has not been banned from late-night sim-racing on a grand prix weekend by Red Bull as the fallout from his behaviour in Hungary continues
The three-time F1 world champion lost his rag last Sunday in Budapest, repeatedly swearing at engineer Gianpiero Lambiase and labelling the teamâs in-race strategy âs***â, hours after he stayed up until 3am to game with his sim-racing side, Team Redline.
Respected F1 pundit Martin Brundle said the radio exchanges made him âuncomfortableâ and when members of the media post-race asked the Dutchman about criticism of his team radio conduct, Verstappen said âthey can all f*** off.â
Max Verstappen denies Red Bull gaming ban: âItâs something very important in my lifeâ
Start times for the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend:
Friday 26 July 2024 09:39 , Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Friday 26 July
-
Free practice 1: 12:30pm
-
Free practice 2: 4pm
Saturday 27 July
-
Free practice 3: 11:30am
-
Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 21 July
F1 Belgian Grand Prix LIVE!
Friday 26 July 2024 09:37 , Kieran Jackson
Formula One returns to one of the worldâs most iconic race tracks this weekend as the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit hosts the Belgian Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri claimed the first win of his F1 career last time out in Hungary as he took the chequered flag ahead of team-mate Lando Norris after the Brit eventually succumbed to McLarenâs team orders.
Lewis Hamilton finished on the podium in third while Max Verstappen endured a Sunday to forget as he argued with his race engineer and crashed into Hamilton late on, ultimately finishing fifth. Despite this, Verstappen still has a 76-point lead in the world championship to Norris in second with 11 races remaining.
The Red Bull driver looks set to take a 10-place grid penalty this Sunday due to taking a new engine, though he has won from down the grid in the last two years at Spa. It is also a big weekend for his team-mate Sergio Perez, with uncertainty surrounding his future at the team following a run of poor results.
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