TV program and timetable for the Belgian Grand Prix

Formula 1 kicks off its second half of the season in the Belgian Ardennes with the Belgian Grand Prix. This weekend, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit hosts the thirteenth round of the championship, contested in sprint format, with rain as a potential guest. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

McLaren under internal pressure

Consecutive winner in Austria and Great Britain, Lando Norris has reduced his gap in the drivers’ championship with Oscar Piastri to just eight points. The Australian still leads the championship with 234 points but sees his lead shrink race after race.

This comeback by Norris changes the internal dynamics at McLaren. The Woking team must now manage a close duel between its two drivers, a delicate situation when leading both championships. On the constructors’ side, McLaren has a total of 460 points, far ahead of its pursuers, but the individual battle promises sparks.

Red Bull enters a new era

Laurent Mekies makes his debut at the helm of Red Bull following Christian Horner’s surprise departure. The Frenchman, formerly with Ferrari and Racing Bulls, inherits a team losing momentum with Max Verstappen 69 points behind leader Piastri.

This change in direction comes in a tense context with speculation about Verstappen’s future. The Dutchman, regularly linked with Mercedes, hasn’t won in several races and sees his chances of a fifth consecutive title slipping away.

Mekies is familiar with the paddock but is discovering the pressure that comes with leading Red Bull. Spa will be his baptism of fire in a role that Horner had held since 2005. Alan Permane, 58, succeeds him at Racing Bulls, completing this unprecedented reshuffle in the Red Bull galaxy.

Ferrari seeks the breakthrough

No victories in twelve races. Ferrari is experiencing a winless season despite its second place in the Constructors’ Championship with 222 points. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggle to compete with McLaren’s superiority, looking for any opportunity to return to success.

However, for the Belgian Grand Prix, the Italian team is expected to introduce a new rear suspension, tested at Mugello last week, to revive its ambitions and try to make up some of its deficit to McLaren, which is 238 points ahead.

Mercedes in expectation

The future of George Russell at Mercedes remains unclear. No agreement has been formalized for 2026, and speculations about a potential transfer of Max Verstappen are clouding the prospects. A solid fourth in the championship with 147 points, it seems the Briton still needs to prove he embodies the team’s future. His young teammate, Kimi Antonelli, also does not yet have a contract for next year.

Mercedes occupies the third place among constructors with 210 points, just twelve units behind Ferrari. Every race weekend is therefore a test for the current drivers against the team’s future ambitions.

Alpine in survival mode

The situation remains worrying for Alpine, still last in the constructors’ standings with only 19 points. Behind the scenes, the pressure is mounting at Renault, which is grappling with its own difficulties, while takeover rumors continue to fuel speculation.

Pierre Gasly provided some relief at Silverstone with his sixth place, but the French team will need to confirm to reassure its management. While the Rouen native managed to score points, his teammate, Franco Colapinto, has yet to get on the board. The young Argentine is under intense pressure, as his lack of results weighs on the team’s objectives and fuels speculation about his future. Every point scored becomes precious in this fight for survival.

Spa, traditional justice of the peace

The Belgian circuit remains one of the most demanding on the calendar with its 7.004 kilometers. The Raidillon de l’Eau Rouge, Blanchimont and the Bus Stop chicane all present various challenges for the drivers.

The fickle weather of the Ardennes looms over the weekend. Showers are forecasted, potentially shaking up the established hierarchy. On a circuit where the gap naturally widens between the good and bad cars, rain often becomes the only way to mix things up, like at Silverstone where Nico Hülkenberg held off Hamilton’s Ferrari to secure his very first F1 podium.

The sprint format also limits adjustments with only one free practice session on Friday. Teams will therefore have to quickly find the right setup on this track.

The sessions of the Belgian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Canal+ (France), TIPIK and Auvio (Belgium), and RTS (Switzerland). All the schedules can be found below.

The TV Schedule for the Belgian Grand Prix in France

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The TV Program for the Belgian Grand Prix in Belgium

TV Schedule for the Belgian Grand Prix in Switzerland