The start of the first Formula 1 weekend after the summer break will be a math exercise in Spa-Francorhamps. Max Verstappen drives the best time, but already knows that he has to go to the end of the field - this also applies to World Cup rival Charles Leclerc and Mick Schumacher is also affected.
Audi is coming in 2026, Max Verstappen is dominating now - and yet he has to follow: The Formula 1 world champion set the clear best time of the day in free practice for half his home race in Spa and gave a foretaste of what the fans at the Grand Prix on Sunday ( 3 p.m./Sky and in the live ticker at ntv.de) can expect from him: a brilliant race to catch up. Because the Dutchman, who was born in Hasselt, Belgium, has to chase the field because of a complete drive change.
Red Bull star Verstappen was unbeatable in Friday practice with a time of 1:45.507 minutes. The world championship leader was an incredible 0.862 seconds faster than Charles Leclerc, who is also the closest to him in the championship with a deficit of 80 points. The two opponents will also be close together on the starting grid: Engine parts and gearboxes were also changed on the Ferrari of Monegasque Leclerc.
A total of six drivers accept a start from far behind for the first race after the Formula 1 summer break, including Haas driver Mick Schumacher, who finished free practice in changeable conditions in 20th place (4.434 seconds). Sebastian Vettel, who is retiring at the end of the season, finished 15th in the Aston Martin (2.360). Determining the final starting line-up should therefore become a tricky arithmetic game for the race commissioners after qualifying on Saturday (4 p.m. / Sky and in the live ticker on ntv.de).
Overtaking is relatively easy on the high-speed circuit at Spa-Francorchamps, much better than in the following race at Zandvoort. Further redeployments over the course of the weekend cannot therefore be ruled out. In Formula 1 there have been restrictions on the use of drives for a long time. If the limit is exceeded, a fixed penalty system takes effect.
Beneficiaries of the penalty festival could be Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari, as well as Verstappen teammate Sergio Perez, or the two Mercedes drivers: The world champion racing team of the past eight years has not yet won this year, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are going according to the current status but also without being put back into the race. In training, they finished sixth and eighth. The constellation with Verstappen and Leclerc far behind could "be a great opportunity," said Mercedes engineer Andrew Shovlin on Sky: "But we have to keep improving the car."
The sporty thing was a bit overshadowed by big news on Friday. In the morning in Spa, Audi announced its entry into Formula 1 for the 2026 season, initially only as an engine manufacturer. However, the cooperation with an existing team will be announced by the end of the year. Everything points to the Sauber racing team, not least because it was also announced on Friday that the name sponsorship with Alfa Romeo will not be extended. The contract runs until the end of 2023.
In addition, it is expected that another VW subsidiary, Porsche, will soon announce its entry and merge with Red Bull. The sports car manufacturer would find an intact team with the top star of the scene behind the wheel.
