Formula One returns to one of its most iconic race tracks this weekend as the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit hosts the Belgian Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri claimed the first win of his F1 career last season in Hungary when he took the checkered flag ahead of team-mate Lando Norris after the Brit finally capitulated to the McLaren team order.
Lewis Hamilton finished on the podium in third while Max Verstappen had a Sunday to forget when he argued with the race engineer and crashed into Hamilton at the end, eventually finishing fifth. Despite this, Verstappen still has a 76-point lead in the world championship with Norris in second with 11 races remaining.
The Red Bull driver looks set to take a 10-place grid penalty this Sunday for taking on a new engine, although he has won from down the grid in the past two years at Spa. It was also a big weekend for Sergio Perez’s teammates, with uncertainty surrounding his future at the team after a poor run of results.
Follow live updates from the Belgian Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Big day for Sergio Perez
The Red Bull driver really needed a strong qualifying session today, after crashing in Q1 in the last two races.
With Max Verstappen starting down so badly, it should fall to Checo in the rain this afternoon.
Kieran JacksonJuly 27, 2024 2:35 p.m
WARNING: Max Verstappen to take a 10 place grid penalty
It has been confirmed by Red Bull that Max Verstappen will take a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.
This comes after the Dutchman exceeded his engine allowance, with the car fitted with an internal combustion unit for the fifth time this season, one more than the regulation allowed.
That means an automatic 10-place box drop after qualifying today. So pole position is actually only 11 on the grid…
Kieran JacksonJuly 27, 2024 2:30 p.m
PREVIEW: Lando Norris needs to start turning his potential into winning races
Ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix at the prestigious Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Lando Norris trails Max Verstappen by 76 points in the F1 drivers’ championship. After the Dutchman won four of the first five races, because of McLaren he has caught Red Bull in the development race and, in evidence of last month, has overtaken the ground effect juggernaut Adrian Newey, most effectively in second. half of the grand prix on Saturday.
But what will frustrate Norris is this: the deficit needs to be narrower.
Kieran JacksonJuly 27, 2024 2:25 p.m
Start times in Belgium this weekend:
Kieran JacksonJuly 27, 2024 2:22 p.m
Lance Stroll crashes in Belgian GP practice in heavy rain at Spa
The Canadian driver, 15 minutes into the third and final practice session, lost control of his Aston Martin car going up the famous Eau Rouge hill section.
The car aquaplaned from the circuit, spun and the left side smashed into the barrier, resulting in the front-left wheel flying up and out of position.
Kieran JacksonJuly 27, 2024 2:16 p.m
Jacques Villeneuve: Sergio Perez will not claim a seat at Williams, let alone Red Bull
Sergio Perez will not get a seat at Williams now amid Red Bull’s struggles, former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has said.
The Mexican has endured a torrid few months, scoring just 15 points in his last six appearances, with team boss Christian Horner admitting the 34-year-old’s current form is “unsustainable”.
Amid speculation Perez – who only signed a new contract until the end of 2025 last month – could be sacked mid-season, the Mexican played in Q1 and collapsed, leaving him 16Th on the grid for Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
And 1997 world champion Villeneuve, who was highly critical of Daniel Ricciardo last month, insisted in a conversation about Williams’ driver selection for 2025 that Perez was not on the list.
Kieran JacksonJuly 27, 2024 2:12 p.m
Driver standings ahead of this weekend:
1. Max Verstappen – 265 points
2. Lando Norris – 189 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 162 points
4. Carlos Sainz – 154 points
5. Oscar Piastri – 149 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 125 points
7. Sergio Perez – 124 points
8. George Russell – 116 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 45 points
10. Lance Stroll – 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg – 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo – 11 points
14. Oliver Bearman – 6 points
15. Pierre Gasly – 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen – 5 points
17. Alex Albon – 4 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 3 points
19. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
Kieran JacksonJuly 27, 2024 1:44 p.m
Lewis Hamilton reached out to Max Verstappen over an X-rated radio exchange with the team
Lewis Hamilton has accused Max Verstappen of not behaving like a world champion after the Dutchman told critics to “turn down the volume” if they don’t like his language.
Verstappen, who will serve a 10-place grid penalty at Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix for exceeding the permitted engine parts, has faced backlash after he turned the airwaves in Hungary last weekend.
Kieran JacksonJuly 27, 2024 1:31 p.m
F1 weather forecast:
Qualifying on Friday at 16:00 (3pm BST) also shows cloudy conditions with a 50% chance of rain, which could make the battle for pole position interesting with drivers and teams having to change tires depending on the conditions.
Kieran JacksonJuly 27, 2024 1:08 p.m
F1 Belgian Grand Prix: FP3 RESULTS IN FULL
Kieran JacksonJuly 27, 2024 12:51 p.m