Max quickest in Spa FP1

Published on 26 July 2024 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen was quickest in the opening practice session of the Belgian Grand Prix. Around his favoured Spa-Francorchamps, the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver was fastest ahead of Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Williams’ Alex Albon.

When the lights go out for the start of FP1, it’s cloudy but dry in the Ardennes. Max hits the ground running with a quick first timed lap, propelling him to the top of the timing sheets. He does so on the hard Pirelli. The Dutchman continues to improve during an eight-lap stint on the same set of tyres.

At the halfway mark, the first soft runners make their appearance with Russell being the first driver to pip Max to P1. The Mercedes driver is unable to enjoy his effort for long as Max retaliates by going almost a second faster with his first timed effort on the softs. Piastri and Albon both put in impressive laps but are unable to topple the triple world champion.

In the final third of the session, the teams switch to long runs in preparation for Sunday’s Grand Prix. It means lap times are no longer bettered resulting in Max finishing FP1 at the top of the timing sheets. It is an encouraging start to a weekend where the Red Bull racer will face a ten place grid penalty due to requiring new power unit parts.

Contest Belgian GP: win a by Max Verstappen signed Verstappen.com Racing cap!

Results first free practice Belgium: