The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps is always a special event, but this year's edition has been a rollercoaster of surprises and disappointments. With the introduction of harvesting strategies and new parts, the teams were eager to test their setups and find the right balance. Here's a look at the winners and losers from Friday's practice sessions, with a heavy dose of personal commentary and analysis.
Kimi Antonelli: The Man of the Moment
Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, was the clear winner of Friday's practice sessions. His performance was a major course correction for the team, who had struggled in previous races. In the first session, Mercedes was relatively low-key, but Antonelli's car was already in the right place, and he was happy with the setup. The second session saw him in the expected spot in qualifying simulations and long runs, which is a huge achievement. Personally, I think Antonelli's performance is a testament to his skill and the team's ability to make quick adjustments. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between Mercedes' initial struggles and Antonelli's dominance. It's a reminder that in Formula 1, a single session can make all the difference.
George Russell: A Long Sunday Ahead
George Russell, driving for Mercedes, was the clear loser of Friday's practice sessions. He was well off the pace in both sessions, with a deficit of three-tenths and 1.285 seconds, respectively. This is a worrying sign for the team, especially given Spa-Francorchamps's long straights. In my opinion, Russell's struggles suggest that Mercedes might be facing a longer weekend than anticipated. What many people don't realize is that a single session can highlight the differences between drivers and teams. Russell's performance is a stark reminder that consistency and reliability are crucial in Formula 1.
Max Verstappen: A Positive Start
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, topped a practice session for the first time in 2026 with his FP1 performance. He finished third in FP2, with a half-second gap to Antonelli. Although he had his usual gearbox gripes, the positives were clear: long run pace sufficient to put him in contention with Mercedes, and short runs that could put him in pole contention. From my perspective, Verstappen's performance is a sign that Red Bull is on the right track. What this really suggests is that the team is making progress, and with the right adjustments, they could be a serious contender for the championship.
Aston Martin: A Humbling Weekend
Aston Martin, known for its B-spec car, was the clear loser of Friday's practice sessions. Both cars were over five seconds adrift in both sessions, and the regular drivers were aware they were fighting for nothing. Team representative Mike Krack insists the pace is not worse than expected, but it's still quite something to see the timesheets so merciless. In my opinion, Aston Martin's performance is a humbling reminder that the gap between the top teams and the rest is still significant. What many people don't realize is that even the smallest adjustments can make a big difference in Formula 1.
Franco Colapinto: A Surprising Turn of Pace
Alpine's Franco Colapinto sprung the biggest surprise in FP2, going seventh for Alpine, ahead of Mercedes' struggling George Russell. Colapinto was 0.15 seconds ahead of the fastest Red Bull, and more reassuringly, six-tenths gap to next-best midfielder, Haas' Ollie Bearman. The Argentinian also beat team-mate Pierre Gasly in both practice sessions. Personally, I think Colapinto's performance is a sign that Alpine is making progress. What this really suggests is that the team is finding the right balance, and with the right adjustments, they could be a serious contender for the points.
Pierre Gasly: A Crash and a Setback
Pierre Gasly, driving for Alpine, was the clear loser of Friday's practice sessions due to a crash. A snap of oversteer exiting the Fagnes chicane led Gasly to lose the rear and smash the barriers. This is a worrying sign for the team, especially given the damage to his car. In my opinion, Gasly's crash is a setback for Alpine, and it's a reminder that even the smallest mistakes can have a big impact in Formula 1. What many people don't realize is that a single crash can highlight the differences between drivers and teams.
Haas: A Decent Showing
Haas had a decent showing on Friday, with Ollie Bearman saying the car 'felt strong'. The team tested a new front wing, which represented a slight improvement, despite conceding they were 'nowhere near' Red Bull and Alpine. Better balance and behaviour represent a good foundation to build on for Haas as it seeks to close the gap to Williams. Personally, I think Haas' performance is a sign that the team is making progress. What this really suggests is that with the right adjustments, they could be a serious contender for the points.
Conclusion: A Weekend of Surprises
The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps has been a weekend of surprises and disappointments. From Kimi Antonelli's dominance to Pierre Gasly's crash, the teams have had to navigate a rollercoaster of challenges. In my opinion, this is a reminder that in Formula 1, a single session can make all the difference. What this really suggests is that the teams must be prepared for anything, and with the right adjustments, they could be a serious contender for the championship.
