Formula 1 returns to action this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the 2025 season. After a two-week break, teams face the iconic 7.004km circuit, known for its high-speed corners and unpredictable weather in the Ardennes forest.
Spa holds a special place in F1 history as the longest track on the calendar, with 44 laps making up the 308km race distance. It’s hosted 57 world championship races, more than any other venue except Monza. Michael Schumacher claimed six victories here, the record, while Lewis Hamilton and Ayrton Senna each have five. Max Verstappen, the local favourite with Dutch roots, won the last two editions from pole, though he started from the back in 2022 due to penalties and still triumphed.
This year, the event features a sprint format for the third time at Spa, shaking up the weekend schedule. Practice kicks off on Friday, followed by sprint qualifying. Saturday brings the 100km sprint race and main qualifying, with the grand prix on Sunday. Weather could play a big role; forecasts suggest a mix of sun and showers, potentially forcing strategic tyre calls between slicks and intermediates.
In the standings, Verstappen leads the drivers’ championship by 76 points over Lando Norris, but McLaren’s recent form – including wins in Miami and Hungary – has closed the constructors’ gap to Red Bull to just 51 points. Ferrari sits third, 63 points behind McLaren, with Mercedes showing pace after back-to-back victories for Hamilton and George Russell.
Key stats to watch: Spa has seen the most safety car deployments of any track since 2010, with 20 appearances. Overtakes are common, averaging 23 per dry race since 2018, thanks to long straights like Kemmel. The fastest lap record stands at 1:46.286, set by Valtteri Bottas in 2018.
Trivia fans note that Spa was the site of Schumacher’s debut in 1991 and his first win a year later. It’s also where Hamilton secured his 100th pole in 2021. For 2025, keep an eye on rookie Oliver Bearman, stepping in at Haas, and whether Verstappen can extend his streak amid growing competition.
As the final race before the summer shutdown, expect intense battles and possible surprises on this demanding layout.
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