F1 Belgian Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Practice begins as season gets back on track – stream, TV channel, start times

MORE FROM MAX…

“So I think it’s definitely a very positive start but a few things to take into consideration with the weather as well.”

Lewis Hamilton was blocked on his flying run in FP1 and was down in 18th place, but he was up to third in FP2, behind Verstappen and teammate Valtteri Bottas.

He said: “It was an OK day. These sessions are very short so there is not a lot of knowledge we are gaining but we have some work to do tonight.

“Everyone keeps telling us different things about the weather for Sunday. If it rains you generally want more downforce, but if it doesn’t rain you’re stuck and you’re a sitting duck on the straights.

“We have to be very cautious because the set up changes.”

PUSHING IT TO THE MAX

Max Verstappen brushed off a late crash into the barriers as his Belgian GP got off to a mixed start.

The Dutchman topped second practice after being second in the morning’s session but slammed into the barriers late on bringing an early end to proceedings.

He lost control at turn seven and hurtled backwards into the crash barriers, doing plenty of damage to his Red Bull.

Afterwards he said: “I don’t know, I just lost the rear. I did a bit too much oversteer to correct. And, unfortunately hit the wall.

“I think, the whole day, we were quite happy. Of course, there are a few things to fine tune from FP1 to FP2 and overall we’re very happy…”

FINAL CLASSIFICATION

Max Verstappen was fastest in Thursday’s practice with the two Mercedes drivers Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton next in line.

SERG EXTENSION

Sergio Perez has signed a contract extension with Red Bull to remain with the team for next season.

The Mexican will continue to partner Max Verstappen, who already has a contract in place until the end of 2023.

Red Bull Racing Honda CEO and Team Principal, Christian Horner, said: “Checo is a highly respected team member and his experience and race-craft are invaluable as we fight for the Constructors’ Championship.

“His integration into the wider team has been seamless and we have been impressed by his performances during the first half of the season which demonstrate what he’s capable of in our car.

“Next year we move into a new era of Formula One with completely revised regulations and cars, and with over 200 races and a decade of experience under his belt, Checo will play an integral role in helping the team navigate this transition and maximise the RB18.”

Perez added: “I’m really happy to be continuing with a great team like Red Bull into the new era of Formula One and it’s a great opportunity for me. Everyone starts from zero next year with the new regulations, so my only goal is to go all the way to the top with Red Bull.”

CRASH

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has crashed into the barriers on turn five.

According to Ferrari’s Twitter account the driver is okay, but the session has now been red flagged.

‘INVALUABLE’

Max Verstappen has hailed his “invaluable” team-mate Sergio Perez, who will remain his partner for the 2022 F1 season.

Red Bull announced Perez will be remaining with the team as he continues to “play a key role” in its fortunes.

On the news of Perez’s new contract, Verstappen said: “Checo is a highly respected team member and his experience and race-craft are invaluable as we fight for the constructors’ championship.”

NEW DEAL SOON?

Williams has suggested that it will retain Nicholas Latifi at the team for the 2022 Formula 1 season.

Latifi joined Williams for the 2020 campaign alongside George Russell, and was kept on board for 2021. Last time out in Hungary, he scored his first championship points, classifying in seventh.

Latifi recently stated that he was “100% ready” to lead Williams’ driver line-up next year, should Russell depart the squad.

Williams CEO Jost Capito said of Latifi’s leadership comments: “I agree with him.

I think maybe not now yet, but he is really improving race-by-race and I’m sure by the end of the season he is ready to do that.

“Especially his personality is in the right spot to lead the team. He works very well with the engineers, he is very motivational, he is very clear in his direction, where he wants the car to develop and he’s very much liked by the team.

“He’s very demanding. I think he also learned a lot with George, they work together and spend a lot of time together on and off the track, so it’s a fantastic relationship and I’m sure by the end of the season he will be in that position that he can lead the team.

‘I’M REALLY HAPPY’

Sergio Perez has re-signed for Red Bull and will continue to race for the team in 2022.

Perez, currently fifth in the world drivers’ championship, will continue to race for Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen for another year.

He scored the second victory of his career for the team in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in June. By doing so Perez became the first driver other than Verstappen to win a race for Red Bull since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from the team in 2018.

In reaction to the deal Perez said: “I’m really happy to be continuing with a great team like Red Bull into the new era of Formula One and it’s a great opportunity for me.”

SCHUMACHER TRIBUTE

Mick Schumacher is donning a tribute to his dad, Michael, this weekend.

The special helmet design comes 30 years after the legend’s first F1 appearance, which came at Spa in 1991.

VETTEL STILL UNHAPPY

Sebastian Vettel has outlined his frustration at losing his second-placed finish in Hungary due to fuel regulations.

Aston Martin withdrew their appeal against the punishment having failed to provide the necessary amount of fuel for testing post-race.

Vettel stated: “It’s very bitter because I think first, we did not have an advantage.

“Second, there was no intention, or no way we could actually explain that too little fuel was in the car.

“So something happened over the course of the race, I don’t know, a leakage or something, that the fuel simply wasn’t there anymore.

“I think it was the last lap, we found out something might not be right and we were very surprised when the fuel wasn’t in the car. It’s very bitter but those are the rules, so we have to accept and carry on.”

WHO WILL PARTNER LEWIS?

George Russell and Valtteri Bottas have remain tight-lipped on their tussle over next season’s Mercedes seat.

A decision from the championship leaders was expected this weekend but no announcement has been forthcoming.

Bottas told reporters: “Maybe I know something, maybe I don’t. But like I said, there’s no news to share.

“I think the same for me and George, that we have a job to do here, and there’s no news, and we’re going to focus on racing and getting maximum points for the team we are racing with.”

Russell said: “There’s nothing to announce one way or another this weekend, and probably not next weekend either, to be honest.

“I think it’s no problem. Do things right rather than quickly, let’s say.”

CHEQUERED FLAG

That is it for FP1, with Lewis Hamilton down in 18th with no serious time put in on the Softs.

Valtteri Bottas claims top spot with Max Verstappen second.

LAST SHOT FOR LEWIS

No points on offer in practice but Lewis Hamilton will want to put in a strong lap to finish the session off.

The Brit is back in 18th having lost that quick lap at the final chicance, having got caught behind Nicholas Latifi.

SPOTS OF RAIN

Charles Leclerc glides through the gravel at Turn 7 as the rain begins to drift back in at certain points of the track.

That could explain Max Verstappen’s slow Sector 3 that denied him top spot with that lap.

LEW UP NEXT

The rear wing on Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes is much thicker and should deliver a quicker time through the tight, technical Sector 2.

Indeed, he gains around four-tenths on Valtteri Bottas here but loses time on the straights before pulling out after getting caught behind Nicholas Latifi.

Max Verstappen follows him through on the Softs – but is SLOWER than Bottas.

BOTTAS GOES TOP

First up is Valtteri Bottas, running a lower downforce setup than Lewis Hamilton in FP1.

A 1:45.199 sends him top with a gap to Max Verstappen of about 0.8 seconds – that won’t be enough.

SOFTS ARE COMING OUT

Nicholas Latifi, Daniel Ricciardo and Lance Stroll all enter the top four on the quickest tyre compound.

But they still can’t get close to Max Verstappen on the Hards – the slowest, most durable tyre.

Let’s see what the Mercedes can muster…

MAX POWERING AHEAD

On the Hard tyres, Max Verstappen is putting in consistently quick laps to top the leaderboard.

His latest, a 1:45.905 gives him a 1.2 second lead over team-mate Sergio Perez in second – with Valtteri Bottas almost two seconds back.

KIMI OFF AGAIN

Kimi Raikkonen smacks the side of the pit wall as he comes in.

Fortunately his Alfa Romeo stays in tact as he skids alongside the concrete barrier and he is able to guide his car back to the garage. Not a pretty moment.

HAMILTON DRAGGING

Over the radio, Lewis Hamilton declares he’s far too slow on the straights.

The Mercedes star has stated previously that his car has lost a lot of raw speed to the Red Bull in recent months – and the Brit is back in 13th.

Of course, with the likelihood of rain the Mercs may be preparing their setup for wet conditions later in the weekend rather than the current dry track.

TOP TEN AT HALFWAY

1. VER
2. SAI
3. OCO
4. GAS
5. RIC
6. PER
7. STR
8. LEC
9. VET
10. BOT

TIMESHEET TAKING SHAPE

Esteban Ocon is currently quickest ahead of Pierre Gasly and Daniel Ricciardo.

Is that a sign the Alpine will double up on its shock Hungarian GP win? Not quite.

The track is still drying out and drivers are gently pushing harder, with the Mercedes duo in eighth and tenth on the slower Hard tyres.

KIMI GOES FOR A SPIN

Kimi Raikkonen is the first driver to get a bit tail-happy, down at La Source.

That is one set of Hard tyres ruined for the Finn, who gets back underway without an issue.

Moments later, Yuki Tsunoda also loses it at the same spot, causing a bit of a traffic jam as he blocks the pit lane.

LANDO GETS US GOING

Lando Norris is on the Medium tyres for a first hot lap of the weekend.

Let’s see what the rest of the pack has in store for us.

INTERMEDIATES TO START

The majority of the runners have ventured out, including Lewis Hamilton, to take a look at the track.

But we have no timed laps yet as the track looks like it might soon dry out.