The 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps unfolds with a packed schedule, but drivers voice frustration over new car designs that prioritize battery management over traditional racing excitement, according to multiple sources.
The 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps will unfold across three days of intense action, with live coverage available via BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website. Friday’s first and second practice sessions run from 12:30-13:30 BST and 16:00-17:00 BST, respectively, followed by third practice and qualifying on Saturday. The race itself begins at 14:00 BST on Sunday, with post-race shows available on BBC iPlayer and YouTube.
Drivers’ Frustration with New Car Dynamics
Formula 1’s 2026 car designs, featuring a near-50/50 split between engine and battery power, have sparked criticism from drivers who feel the changes undermine the sport’s essence. Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso called the new cars “anti-racing,” lamenting that overtaking now relies on any driver input or driver talent
due to battery management tactics. You just press one button, and you overtake if you have a better power unit than the car in front,
he said, citing a move by 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli that bypassed a powerless Lewis Hamilton on a straight.
Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, echoed similar concerns, calling the new cars “anti-racing” and expressing disappointment in the harsh reality of the sport’s evolution. However, not all drivers shared this view. Hamilton, who finished third at the British Grand Prix, said the Spa circuit would be really a lot better than we anticipated. It’s still really great fun to drive this track,
though he acknowledged power drops at high-speed sections. You want the engines to keep going,
he added, highlighting the tension between innovation and tradition.
Spa’s Technical Challenges and Strategic Dilemmas
Spa’s 7.004km length and high-speed nature present unique challenges, with teams grappling over setup choices. Engineers must weigh the trade-offs between downforce for corners and drag reduction for straights, a balance further complicated by 2026’s active aerodynamics and Overtake Mode. A car that’s slow EOS is going to be overtaken on the Kemmel Straight,
explained test driver Leonardo Fornaroli, who emphasized the need for a good compromise
between mechanical grip and straight-line speed.
The circuit’s “middle sector,” dominated by the Pouhon corner and Les Combes chicane, remains a critical battleground. Pouhon is a great example,
Fornaroli said, noting the need for stability on entry while maintaining downforce. Teams face a dilemma: overloading the car for corners risks losing speed on straights, while prioritizing drag reduction can cost time in high-speed sections. This tension was evident in the British Grand Prix, where “yo-yo racing”—overtaking on battery power only to be re-passed moments later—became a recurring theme.
Weather adds another layer of unpredictability. It could be sunny; it could be raining; it can do both at the same time,
said Formula1, highlighting the risks of pit stops and strategy errors. With lap times pushing 1m 50s, even minor miscalculations can have significant consequences.
FP1 Results and Early Signs of Competition
Max Verstappen set the pace in Friday’s first practice session, posting a 1m47.070s lap—0.145s faster than Lewis Hamilton and 0.207s ahead of Charles Leclerc. Aston Martin’s lack of competitiveness was evident, with Jak Crawford 6.129s off the pace.
Verstappen’s performance underscored his dominance, but the broader picture remains uncertain. Yet Spa’s unique challenges may yet reveal whether the sport’s evolution is a step forward—or a step back.
As the field prepares for Sunday’s race, the interplay between innovation and tradition will take center stage. Will the new cars deliver the excitement fans crave, or will Spa become another charging station
for frustrated drivers? The answer lies in the laps to come.
Worth a look
