From Friday, July 25 to Sunday, July 27, the Formula 1 caravan pauses at one of the most iconic races of the season: the Belgian Grand Prix at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit. For many—drivers and fans alike—this is one of the absolute highlights of the season. With its challenging layout, unpredictable weather conditions, and rich history, it promises to be an exciting race weekend. Read all about this race here.
Spa-Francorchamps: A Mythical Place
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is located in the Belgian Ardennes, in the municipality of Stavelot, province of Liège. The first races took place in 1921, using a course made up of public roads connecting Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot. In 1950, Spa-Francorchamps was included in the very first Formula 1 calendar. Since then, the circuit has become a fixture, beloved by drivers for its unique combination of fast corners, elevation changes, and technical sections.
After several serious accidents, especially in the 1960s and 1970s, it became clear that safety was lacking. As a result, the circuit underwent major modifications. Since 1979, drivers have raced on a revised layout of just over 7 kilometers—still the longest circuit on the F1 calendar. This year, Spa celebrates its 75th anniversary in Formula 1—a milestone that adds extra shine to the race weekend.
Legendary corners such as Eau Rouge-Raidillon, Blanchimont, and La Source capture the imagination. These combinations demand courage, precision, and confidence in the car. Among fans, Spa is known as the ultimate driver’s circuit.
The Weekend Schedule
The race weekend in Belgium kicks off on Friday, July 25 with a one-hour free practice session from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. That same day at 4:30 PM, the sprint qualifying session is scheduled. This qualifying sets the starting grid for the sprint race, which will take place on Saturday, July 26 at 12:00 PM. The sprint race consists of 15 laps and gives drivers a chance to earn extra points. Later on Saturday, at 4:00 PM, the qualifying session for the Grand Prix itself will be held, determining the starting grid for Sunday’s main race.
The Belgian Grand Prix will be run on Sunday, July 27, traditionally starting at 3:00 PM. The race consists of 44 laps, totaling approximately 308 kilometers. Under normal conditions, the race lasts about an hour and a half—but at Spa, nothing is ever guaranteed. Due to the unpredictable Ardennes weather, safety cars and red flags are never out of the question.
The Favorites
The 2025 Formula 1 season has been an intriguing spectacle so far, with multiple teams contending for victory. At the moment, McLaren is the team to watch. The British outfit is in impressive form, with wins on both technical and high-speed circuits. Lando Norris is having the best season of his career, recently claiming victories in Austria and Great Britain. With his aggressive yet controlled driving style, Spa suits him well. His teammate Oscar Piastri, the current championship leader, will be extra motivated after a disappointing result at Silverstone due to a time penalty. Expect fireworks from the young Australian.
Ferrari hopes to turn the tide in Belgium. The Italian team is introducing a new rear suspension system, specifically designed to better manage tire wear—a major weakness in previous races. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz possess both the speed and experience to challenge McLaren. Especially in variable weather—which is never far off at Spa—they could make the difference.
Mercedes, after a tough start to the season, is showing signs of recovery. George Russell will be looking for redemption after his disqualification at Spa in 2024, when he was initially declared the winner but lost the victory due to a technical infringement. The cool Ardennes temperatures seem to suit the characteristics of the W16. Lewis Hamilton is also a well-known name at Spa: the seven-time world champion knows exactly how to perform under pressure.
Red Bull—and especially Max Verstappen—can never be counted out. Although the team has been less dominant this season compared to previous years, Verstappen remains in a league of his own. He has already won three times at Spa and knows the circuit like the back of his hand. However, internal turmoil at Red Bull—rumors of technical disagreements and management issues—seems to be affecting their performance. This makes the team hard to read. But never underestimate Max on a circuit like this.
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