2026 Belgian GP: Verstappen fastest in FP1

Max Verstappen set the pace in first practice for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, with Lewis Hamilton second as the weekend opened on Friday.

Max Verstappen set the fastest time in first practice for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, with Lewis Hamilton second, as reported by Formula1.com. BBC Sport, Autosport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans also reported Verstappen led the opening session in Belgium.

The session offered an early reference point for two drivers at different stages of the 2026 standings. Verstappen arrived seventh in the drivers' championship on 76 points and brought 71 wins, 51 poles and 129 podiums from 242 Formula 1 starts. Hamilton came into the Belgian round third on 147 points in his first Ferrari season.

Formula1.com also reported that Ferrari's cars were close to the front in FP1. The supplied sources for this story do not include a confirmed classification from second practice, so the verified headline from Friday's opening session remained Verstappen ahead of Hamilton at Spa.