Fourteenth stage and last weekend before the summer break. The Belgian GP it is the last event where Ferrari and Red Bull can respond on track to a McLaren in particularly good form. The double in Hungary brings the Woking team to the circuit Spa-Francorchamps as the weekend's favorite, but the longest track in the championship and the weather could change the cards on the table. Let's see what happened in FP1, the first free practice session of the Belgian GP.
The main news comes from Milton Keynes with RedBull who, on Max Verstappen's car, has replaced theICE . New internal combustion engine and 10 penalty positions to be served on the grid. Power Unit all new instead Yuki Tsunoda forced to start from last position.
Despite the uphill race, there are many technical innovations for the weekend. Red Bull has chosen to continue with the 2024 configuration, failing momentarily what was seen on RB20 of Verstappen at the Hungaroring. They return "Bazooka" on the three-time world champion's single-seater to return to competing at the top on the Belgian circuit.
Another important news of the weekend is the directive TD045G. Helmut Marko's suspicions about the McLaren's front wing have been "upheld" and now, based on the new technical directive, we will try to understand whether it will be necessary to modify or introduce new controls. Viewfinders and cameras appear on some single-seaters to better verify and understand the flexions and twists of the wings.
On the market front to complete the line-up Haas in 2025 together with Oliver Bearman will be Esteban Ocon. After five seasons with Alpine Or with he is ready for a new adventure. The new Team Principal Ayao Komatsu has opted for a big change, also underlining the new direction of the American team which is certainly more ambitious with a more than excellent driver pool.
The program in the first part of the FP1 of the Belgian GP
The first part of Free Practice 1 of Belgium took place under the sun and generally high temperatures. A Verstappen immediately in great form, unique of the top drivers with hard rubber (H) than with a 1:44.524 he immediately takes first place. Seven laps with rubber Hard which immediately show the Dutch driver doing well. Russell, Hamilton, Piastri, Leclerc, Norris, Sainz work instead on medium (M).
After the first 15 minutes, meglio Mercedes Benz compared to McLaren although both teams are very close. Ferrari follows, unable to keep up with the Mercedes-powered cars. Small gaps but some difficulties in the first sector where a lot of solidity is needed on the straight.
After the first half hour, first Verstappen, then all the drivers take to the track on the soft tyres. Giro launched for the Dutch rider in 1:43.372 and then start a simulation again on soft tyres. Times that increase after 5-6 laps; high revs on1:49 half and some 1:50 low but at the moment it doesn't look like a race tire. Norris, with the same laps as Verstappen, with the average he ran at similar times.
Big drop in performance also on Charles Leclerc's tyre, initially a 1:49.500 before collapsing to 1:50.200. Similar situation also with rubber (M) at the end of the session. Lots of 'hopping' in a straight line which doesn't help the SF-24. A weekend still to be deciphered for the Monegasque driver, but his teammate seems to be doing better more at ease at the end of the first Free Practice of the Belgian GP.
The session comes to an end, here it is top 10 waiting for Free Practice 2 which will start at 17pm:
P1 – Max Verstappen
P2 –Oscar Piastri
P3 – Alexander Albon
P4 – George Russell
P5 – Lewis Hamilton
P6 –Charles Leclerc
P7 – Sergio Perez
P8 – Lando Norris
P9 – Carlos Sainz
P10 – Lance Stroll
