Belgian Grand Prix 2025: pre-qualifying/sprint

This is up a day earlier than usual due to the timing of the sessions this weekend.

It’s not really a surprise that the McLarens and Verstappen topped the first and only practice session but there was a bit more of a gap than there might have been. Piastri was four-tenths up on the Dutchman and five ahead of Norris. Russell was close behind Norris but then there was nearly half a second back to Leclerc. Antonelli, Hamilton, Stroll, Alonso, and Hadjar completed the top 10.

I have very mixed feelings about sprint weekends. As a spectator, I dislike the money-grubbing format, but as a bettor the sprint is often a fantastic guide to race pace.

I’m not inclined to bet after a single practice session, but will be paying close attention to pace in both the sprint and qualifying ahead of the Grand Prix.

The pre-race ramble will be up Sunday morning (UK time).



Morris

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