Friday’s practice sessions at the Belgian Grand Prix were electrifying, and not just because of the track action. With Max Verstappen facing a 10-place grid penalty, all eyes were on how the teams would adapt and strategize.
McLaren seized the moment on Friday. Lando Norris led FP2 with the fastest time, followed closely by teammate Oscar Piastri. This came after Verstappen had dominated FP1, showing he is ready to fight despite his penalty.
Verstappen’s 10-place penalty is due to taking new power unit components, a move he has made before at Spa. He managed to win in previous years despite similar penalties. This year, however, the competition is fiercer, particularly from McLaren.
Will Verstappen manage another incredible comeback? The McLarens locked out the top two spots by the end of FP2, hinting they might have the upper hand this weekend. Norris and Piastri’s lap times showed that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz of Ferrari also showed strong performance, trailing just behind the McLarens and Verstappen. Meanwhile, the Mercedes team, with drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, struggled with balance issues and straight-line speed.
Weather always plays a wildcard at Spa. Initial forecasts predicted rain, but the sessions remained dry. If the rain returns for qualifying, everything could change, adding another layer of unpredictability to the race.
Drivers have varied strategies for attacking the tricky Spa circuit. Norris and Verstappen offered different approaches in the tightest corners, which could influence race outcomes depending on how aggressive each driver decides to be.
In terms of long-run pace on medium tires, Piastri and Verstappen were almost evenly matched. However, pit strategies and tire management will play critical roles since McLaren and Red Bull have shown similar paces on those tires.
Max Verstappen commented, ‘We tried quite a few things today, tweaking and testing the car. It’s always tricky to find the right balance. We started off quite positively today and have some things to work on from FP2.’
Lewis Hamilton, reflecting on the day, said, ‘It’s a pretty bad day. The car felt completely different, and we couldn’t improve on the soft tire. To be 1.2 seconds behind is not great.’
As we head into the weekend, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown at Spa. Will Verstappen defy the odds once again, or will the McLarens capitalize on their impressive pace? Only time will tell!
