Max Verstappen leads opening practice at Belgian Grand Prix over Hamilton
BBC Sport • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 17, 2026, 12:41 PM
Last updated Jul 17, 2026
Max Verstappen topped the first practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix on July 17, 2026, finishing just over a tenth of a second ahead of Lewis Hamilton from Ferrari. The Red Bull Racing team showed competitive pace, with Verstappen's best time coming as he switched to medium tires, while his teammate utilized softs. The session featured a back-and-forth between the Red Bull drivers early on, highlighting their strong form ahead of the weekend's events.
- •Verstappen is quickest in the first practice session at Spa-Francorchamps.
- •Hamilton finished just behind Verstappen, showcasing Ferrari's competitiveness.
- •Verstappen's time was recorded on medium tires, indicating potential strategies.
- •The session displayed strong early pace for Red Bull Racing.
- •Practice continues with further sessions leading into the Grand Prix.
- 12:59 PMBBC Sport — Verstappen top in first practice as Hadjar takes grid penalty
- 12:55 PMRacer — Verstappen tops Hamilton in first Belgian GP practice
- 12:41 PMMotorsport.com — F1 Belgian GP: Max Verstappen quickest in FP1 over Lewis Hamilton
- 12:40 PMAutosport — F1 Belgian GP: Verstappen quickest in FP1 over Hamilton
"Max Verstappen headlined the opening Formula 1 practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix, just over a tenth clear of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton as Red Bull demonstrated strong early pace. The Red Bull pair traded times at the top of the timesheets in the first 20 minutes of the session, Verstappen sporting mediums and Hadjar on the softs. Verstappen, who moved to the top at the end of the first ...Keep reading
"Max Verstappen headlined the opening Formula 1 practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix, just over a tenth clear of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton as Red Bull demonstrated strong early pace. The Red Bull pair traded times at the top of the timesheets in the first 20 minutes of the session, Verstappen sporting mediums and Hadjar on the softs. Verstappen, who moved to the top at the end of the ...Keep reading
"Max Verstappen bested Lewis Hamilton to the fastest time of the opening practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix while the Mercedes drivers languished down the field.
Sources
External links- BBC SportJul 17, 2026, 12:59 PMVerstappen top in first practice as Hadjar takes grid penalty
Red Bull's Max Verstappen heads Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton at the top of the times in first practice at the Belgian Grand Prix.
- RacerJul 17, 2026, 12:55 PMVerstappen tops Hamilton in first Belgian GP practice
Max Verstappen bested Lewis Hamilton to the fastest time of the opening practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix while the Mercedes drivers languished down the field.
- Motorsport.comJul 17, 2026, 12:41 PMF1 Belgian GP: Max Verstappen quickest in FP1 over Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen headlined the opening Formula 1 practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix, just over a tenth clear of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton as Red Bull demonstrated strong early pace. The Red Bull pair traded times at the top of the timesheets in the first 20 minutes of the session, Verstappen sporting mediums and Hadjar on the softs. Verstappen, who moved to the top at the end of the first ...Keep reading
- AutosportJul 17, 2026, 12:40 PMF1 Belgian GP: Verstappen quickest in FP1 over Hamilton
Max Verstappen headlined the opening Formula 1 practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix, just over a tenth clear of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton as Red Bull demonstrated strong early pace. The Red Bull pair traded times at the top of the timesheets in the first 20 minutes of the session, Verstappen sporting mediums and Hadjar on the softs. Verstappen, who moved to the top at the end of the ...Keep reading
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