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Belgian Grand Prix: Who takes pole position at Spa?

Who takes pole position at the F1 Belgian Grand Prix?

TOPSHOT-AUTO-PRIX-F1-BEL-PRACTICE
TOPSHOT-AUTO-PRIX-F1-BEL-PRACTICE
TOPSHOT - Ferrari’s British driver Lewis Hamilton takes part in the first practice session at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, in Spa, ahead of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix, on July 17, 2026. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Mark Schofield
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.

Just two races remain ahead of Formula 1’s August shutdown, this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix and the Hungarian Grand Prix next week.

Who will take pole position at historic Spa-Francorchamps?

Max Verstappen topped the timing sheets in the first hour of practice on Friday, ahead of the Ferrari duo of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. But Drivers’ Championship leader Kimi Antonelli struck back in the second hour of practice, leading the way with a lap time of 1:45.944, ahead of Lando Norris and Verstappen. Hamilton and Isack Hadjar rounded out the top five in FP2.

But later today, following the third hour of practice, the lap times will count for real. Follow along with us here at SB Nation as we track qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. The session begins at 10:00 a.m. Eastern, so check back early and often. And you can also join the conversation at the brand new F1 Feed, here at SB Nation.

Belgian Grand Prix provisional grid

Here is the provisional starting grid for the 2026 F1 Belgian Grand Prix, which will be filled in throughout the session. It is worth noting that Norris will take a ten-place grid penalty as McLaren has fitted his MCL40 with a new power electronics unit, the fourth of the season and one more than the three allowed under the rules. Hadjar is also going to start at the back of the grid as Red Bull installed several new components over the season allowance, adding up to a 30-place penalty and a back-of-the-grid start.

Row

Position

Driver

Team

Position

Driver

Team

Row 112
Row 234
Row 356
Row 478
Row 5910
Row 61112
Row 71314
Row 81516
Row 91718
Row 101920
Row 112122
See More:

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