FRIDAY DEBRIEF: How it's looking after Belgian GP qualifying as wet weather sets up spicy weekend

Rain lashed Spa on Friday but eased off as qualifying progressed to set up a thrilling session as conditions improved and lap times tumbled. Teams were limited to just a handful of laps of practice, though, and that means they have no significant long run data heading into Saturday’s Sprint Shoot-out and Sprint as well as Sunday’s Grand Prix. Here’s how things are looking after the opening day of action…
Ferrari looked most comfortable in changeable conditions
With Spa’s epic 7km track sodden from persistent rain, there was very little action in the weekend’s only practice session – but from what we did see, it was the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz who looked the most confident in very tricky conditions.
Next Up
Related Articles
Williams Austria performance 'not good enough' – Sainz
All the key moments from the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix
McLaren explain 'experimental' rear wing no-show
Verstappen reflects on Austrian GP performance
Russell ‘reminded myself I can do it’ with Austrian GP win
Vasseur on main issue behind Ferrari’s Austrian GP struggles
