Live coverage of Free Practice 1 for the 2026 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix will begin at 13:15 CET time on Friday, 17 July. The opening practice session at Spa-Francorchamps is scheduled to start at 13:30 and will run for one hour, concluding at 14:30.
2026 F1 Belgian GP FP1 live from Spa-Francorchamps
Good afternoon and welcome back, dear ScuderiaFans.com readers. We are live to bring you every development from the first practice session of the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix weekend, with minute-by-minute updates and commentary from one of the most demanding circuits on the Formula 1 calendar.
This will be a conventional Free Practice 1 session, giving the teams a full hour to work on their initial car set-ups and assess the conditions at Spa-Francorchamps. Unlike a Sprint weekend, there will still be two additional practice sessions before qualifying and the race, allowing the engineers and drivers more time to refine their configurations and understand how the cars behave around the seven-kilometre Belgian circuit.
The 2026 F1 cars face the University of Spa
The opening session is particularly significant because the new generation of 2026 Formula 1 cars is about to confront one of the sport’s most revered and intimidating challenges. Spa-Francorchamps has always punished weaknesses in aerodynamic efficiency, energy management and driver confidence, but the new technical regulations could make those demands even more severe.
Drivers and teams will have to manage super clipping, electrical energy deployment and the five sections where the movable wings can be opened to help control the remaining energy available over the lap. Finding the correct compromise between straight-line speed, downforce and energy use will be one of the central objectives throughout Belgian GP FP1.
Beyond the technical complexity, Spa retains all the legendary features that have shaped its reputation. Eau Rouge and Raidillon demand commitment, the Kemmel Straight rewards efficient energy deployment, while Blanchimont and the fast Pouhon corner must be approached with both courage and respect.
Ferrari begins its challenge to Mercedes at the Belgian GP
The Belgian Grand Prix could also mark the beginning of a new phase in the 2026 Formula 1 championship. Following the surprises seen at Silverstone, Ferrari arrives at Spa-Francorchamps hoping to establish itself as the leading challenger to Mercedes.
Whether Ferrari can genuinely take on that role could become clearer during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. The opening practice session will provide the first indications of the relative strengths of the leading cars across Spa’s long straights, high-speed corners and technically demanding second sector.
Will Ferrari confirm its progress and begin a sustained challenge against Mercedes? Follow our live minute-by-minute coverage and analysis of Free Practice 1 for the 2026 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix to find out.
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