After a week of break, Formula 1 returns with one of the fans’ favorites: the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. This will be the tenth round of the 2026 season and will mark the start of a double weekend before the summer break in Hungary.
Next, we present five aspects to keep in mind during the race.
The drivers will face energy management
The drivers who usually comment on “battery management” may have the opportunity to do it once again during this edition of the GP. This year, the race is expected to present a dynamic similar to that of Silverstone, where energy management will play a fundamental role.
At the height of La Source, the vehicles will experience a long acceleration zone through Eau Rouge, Raidillon and the Kemmel Straight, with few options to recharge energy until reaching Les Combes. The drivers will need to be strategic about when they deploy energy, with special attention to the areas of Kemmel Straight and Blanchimont.
Kimi Antonelli seeks redemption
Kimi Antonelli, who previously had a high point with five consecutive victories, is now looking to regain lost ground at Spa. After suffering a drop in the rankings due to a series of mechanical setbacks, the Italian driver finds himself with a reduced advantage over his teammate at Mercedes, George Russell.
Spa-Francorchamps represents an opportunity for Antonelli, who had a difficult weekend last year, failing to advance past Q1 in both qualifying sessions. With a year of experience behind him, the goal is to overcome the bad memories.
Challenge for Red Bull on Verstappen’s favorite track
The Belgian GP is usually one of the most anticipated races for Max Verstappen, as Spa holds a special place in his heart. However, this year, the circuit could present a significant challenge for Red Bull, as energy efficiency is expected to be critical. The team principal has acknowledged that their car has struggled in similar circumstances in the past.
Additionally, the situation with their rotating rear wing will continue to be under scrutiny, with a commitment to ensuring its safety on a high-speed circuit.
Questions about Ferrari’s progress
Despite winning two of the last three races, Ferrari faces doubts about its ability to compete against Mercedes. The varied performances in recent races have generated uncertainty about the team’s true potential. Spa, a circuit reminiscent of Silverstone, will be a good test to assess the improvements recently implemented in the car.
The key for Ferrari will be to demonstrate that it can compensate for its power disadvantage on a track that presents its own challenges.
The battle for points between Racing Bulls and Alpine
In recent races, Racing Bulls has been gaining momentum, reducing the gap with Alpine to just one point in the constructors’ standings. The recent changes to Racing Bulls’ car have worked as expected, while Alpine has struggled to make progress.
The Belgian Grand Prix will be crucial in determining if Racing Bulls can maintain this momentum or if Alpine has the answer to reclaim its position.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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