The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix officially marks the beginning of the second half of the Formula 1 season. This event is one of the most iconic and highly anticipated on the calendar, taking place at the legendary and technically demanding Spa-Francorchamps circuit. It is a track that challenges every aspect of performance: from aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical grip to setup refinement and tyre management—testing drivers, engineers, and cars alike.
This year, as was also the case in the 2023 season, the Belgian Grand Prix will adopt the Sprint weekend format, which has already been used in races such as the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai and the Miami Grand Prix. This compressed format reduces the amount of time available for data collection and forces teams to make quick and accurate decisions. It also introduces fascinating strategic variables, especially at a venue like Spa where unpredictable and ever-changing weather conditions often play a decisive role.
Tyre choices: a bold compound jump
For this race weekend, Pirelli has made an unusual and strategically interesting decision by selecting three non-consecutive dry tyre compounds. The C1 will serve as the Hard tyre, the C3 as the Medium, and the C4 as the Soft. A compound jump of this nature has not occurred since the 2022 Australian Grand Prix. The key difference from last year’s selection lies in the hardest compound—now the C1—which could prove crucial for enabling more aggressive two-stop strategies.
Spa-Francorchamps remains the longest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar, with a lap length of 7.004 kilometers. Its three distinct sectors each pose unique challenges that make setup compromises extremely difficult. The first sector is extremely fast and includes the iconic Eau Rouge–Raidillon combination followed by the long Kemmel straight. The second sector is more technical and winding, with corners such as Bruxelles and Pouhon, both of which are taken downhill. The final sector is a long uphill acceleration phase leading to the start-finish line. Finding the right balance to perform well across all three sectors is a nightmare for most teams.
A new asphalt layer was introduced before the 2024 edition of the Belgian GP. It has reduced surface roughness and increased overall grip, making the track faster and less punishing from a mechanical stress standpoint. According to brake supplier Brembo, Spa remains a demanding circuit for the braking system in key sections—most notably at the Bus Stop chicane and La Source hairpin—though it is generally less severe than traditional stop-and-go layouts.
Key challenges and potential frontrunners
Spa-Francorchamps has historically been known as a front-limited circuit, where the front tyres tend to suffer the most due to the prevalence of long, high-speed corners. Thermal management becomes absolutely critical, especially in a weekend where the weather may shift multiple times. Two high-traction zones—La Source and the Bus Stop—present another challenge for teams like Scuderia Ferrari, which have struggled with corner exit performance this season.
However, Ferrari’s recently introduced rear suspension upgrades could help mitigate those weaknesses. The Italian team may now be in a better position to manage the balance between front and rear grip thanks to improvements in both anti-dive and anti-squat systems, allowing for more consistent handling under braking and acceleration across varied track profiles.
McLaren is expected to run a low-drag rear wing setup to maximize its already impressive aerodynamic efficiency, while Red Bull Racing—especially with Max Verstappen at the wheel—should feel right at home. Max Verstappen is likely to capitalize on the strong rear-end stability and traction that have characterized the RB21 this season.
Mercedes remains an open question. Cooler temperatures may work in their favor, but overall performance on the straights will depend on the aerodynamic configuration chosen for the weekend. Attention is also on whether the German outfit has brought any last-minute updates aimed at improving tyre wear and overall consistency across stints.
As always, detailed images from the pit lane provide valuable insights into how each team has approached this crucial weekend.
Rear wing comparisons: key visual indicators of strategy
The first technical references come from the ever-reliable Formula 1 journalist and pitlane analyst Albert Fabrega, who has just shared the first high-quality images of rear wing configurations. These photos offer clear indicators of each team’s aerodynamic strategy and their level of confidence in their car’s floor-generated downforce and ground clearance capabilities.
This time, McLaren appears to be running the most stripped-back rear wing configuration, especially in terms of the main plane profile, which is the lowest-downforce version among the two tested at Silverstone and later used in the race.
Ferrari and Red Bull Racing have opted for similar rear wing concepts, although the Scuderia’s rear wing features a V-shaped cutout in the central section of the adjustable flap, slightly reducing drag. It is a specification that Ferrari had already used during the previous season.
Red Bull has confirmed it will continue to use the rear wing introduced at the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone—a configuration that has paid off in terms of top-speed performance.
Mercedes, on the other hand, has adopted a more unconventional solution. While they have tapered the main plane, they’ve done so using a U-shaped profile rather than the more traditional V-shape. The wing narrows only near the endplates. Based on current visuals, this seems to be a new setup for Mercedes in the 2025 season, although it resembles a rear wing used by the team two years ago on mixed-layout tracks such as Jeddah.
Visa Cash App RB is expected to use a rear wing very similar to Ferrari’s, which was already deployed at Silverstone. Aston Martin, meanwhile, appears to be running a lower-downforce configuration than usual. For the first time, the British team will use a rear wing featuring a reduced main plane with a sharp V-shape, quite similar in design to the one used by McLaren.
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