The Belgian Grand Prix practice saw McLaren pull off an impressive feat, securing both top spots in the second session. Amidst a sunny day at Spa, Max Verstappen, despite a 10-place grid penalty, couldn’t outperform the McLaren duo, while Red Bull’s Sergio Perez faced significant challenges.
With a clear track ahead, the second practice session commenced without the expected rain, and Max Verstappen quickly established an early lead, clocking a 1:43.456 on medium tires. However, Lando Norris, sporting soft tires, came very close, just a tenth behind. George Russell from Mercedes completed the early top trio on medium tires.
As the session progressed, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz made his mark with red-walled softs, surpassing Verstappen’s time by posting a 1:43.098. Oscar Piastri from McLaren wasn’t far behind, showcasing McLaren’s pace with a lead of six tenths over others, despite a minor hiccup at Turn 7.
Verstappen’s first attempt on the softs was close but not enough to reclaim top spot. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez trailed significantly, a full second behind his teammate Verstappen. Lando Norris then charted a new course by seizing P1 with a 1:42.260, putting McLaren firmly in the leading position, followed by Piastri.
As the session evolved into race simulations, several teams adjusted their strategies. Verstappen reported clipping issues, while Daniel Ricciardo experienced handling problems, describing his car as ‘wobbly’. McLaren, meanwhile, ended with both Norris and Piastri comfortably at the top of the standings, signaling a promising start for the race weekend.
McLaren showcased an impressive comeback against Max Verstappen in the Belgian GP practice, with both Norris and Piastri leading the charts and Verstappen trailing closely. As the team gears up for the race, all eyes will be on whether this momentum continues into the main event.
