Oscar Piastri set the pace in Friday’s second practice at Spa-Francorchamps, hinting at McLaren’s edge for the Belgian Grand Prix. The Australian clocked a 1m42.475s lap, edging out teammate Lando Norris by two tenths, as the team tested upgrades that shone in the dry.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, hit with a 10-place grid penalty for a new engine, ran third but focused on long runs rather than outright speed. His new teammate Liam Lawson, stepping up this season, lagged in 10th, still adapting to the RB21’s quirks.
Ferrari showed promise too, with Charles Leclerc fourth and Lewis Hamilton, in his debut Ferrari year, fifth. Both praised the car’s balance, though Hamilton noted tweaks needed for wet conditions.
Rain looms large for Saturday, with forecasts predicting showers during qualifying. Teams scrambled in FP1’s damp track to gather data, but FP2’s dry spell offered a clearer picture. Mercedes’ George Russell, sixth fastest, warned that variable weather could shuffle the order.
Aston Martin’s Oliver Bearman, replacing the retired Fernando Alonso, impressed in eighth, while Alpine’s Jack Doohan, in his first full season, rounded out the top 10.
Piastri downplayed his session-topping time, stressing race pace over one-lap glory. With McLaren’s recent form—wins in Miami and Monaco—rivals know they’re the team to beat, but Spa’s twists and potential downpours might level the field. Qualifying beckons as the real test.
