Formula 1 returns to Spa-Francorchamps for the third Sprint event of the 2025 season. The legendary Belgian circuit hosts its second Sprint race, the first having taken place in 2023, which Max Verstappen won. This time, the spotlight is on a different star, with Oscar Piastri grabbing headlines after a standout qualifying performance that placed him on pole for the Sprint.
The Sprint format continues to bring excitement, and 2025 has already seen victories from both Lewis Hamilton in China and Lando Norris in Miami. The Spa Sprint begins today, Saturday, July 26th, at 11:00 BST. Later the same day, at 15:00 BST, qualifying for the main Belgian Grand Prix will take place, setting the stage for Sunday’s race.
This year’s Sprint qualifying session was anything but routine. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri delivered a masterful lap in challenging conditions, securing the top spot ahead of Verstappen and Norris. His performance was a clear statement, putting the grid on notice and giving McLaren a valuable boost. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson expressed frustration over a chaotic qualifying, reflecting how tricky Spa can be.
In contrast, Lewis Hamilton experienced a difficult outing, described as a “horror show,” further complicating Mercedes’ already challenging season. McLaren, however, faces concerns of its own, with both Norris and Piastri close to receiving grid penalties due to component usage—casting a shadow over their recent successes.
As anticipation builds for both the Sprint and the full Grand Prix, the 2025 Belgian weekend is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling rounds of the season. With changing weather, grid penalties looming, and young talents rising, Spa is once again proving itself as one of F1’s most unpredictable and exciting battlegrounds.
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