Formula One returns to one of the world’s 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 McLaren’s 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: Lance Stroll crash
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.
Kieran Jackson27 July 2024 11:46
RED FLAG!
Lance Stroll has put it in the wall at Eau Rouge!
Kieran Jackson27 July 2024 11:45
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Verstappen runs off track
It’s 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.
Kieran Jackson27 July 2024 11:33
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Third practice in Spa!
We’re 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!
Kieran Jackson27 July 2024 11:30
Third practice in Belgium!
It’s time for the third and final hour of practice – and it’s wet in the Ardennes forest!
Who will set the final benchmark – McLaren, Red Bull or a different team?!
Kieran Jackson27 July 2024 11:27
Bruno Famin to leave role as Alpine team principal
Big news coming out of Alpine yesterday.
Team statement: “BWT 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.
“A new Team Principal will be announced in due course.”
Kieran Jackson27 July 2024 11:18
Max Verstappen to take a 10-place grid penalty
It’s been confirmed by Red Bull that Max Verstappen will take a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday’s 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.
Kieran Jackson27 July 2024 10:56
Constructors’ Championship ahead of this weekend:
5. Aston Martin – 69 points
Kieran Jackson27 July 2024 10:44
Lando Norris must start converting potential into race wins
Ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix at the prestigious Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Lando Norris trails Max Verstappen by 76 points in the F1 drivers’ championship. After the Dutchman won four of the first five races, it is to McLaren’s credit that they have caught Red Bull in the development race and, on the evidence of the last month, have overtaken Adrian Newey’s ground-effects juggernaut, most effectively in the second half of the grand prix on Sunday.
But what will be to Norris’s immense frustration is this: the deficit should be narrower.
Kieran Jackson27 July 2024 10:29
