Max Verstappen Opens Belgian Grand Prix Victory Chance

Max Verstappen opened the possibility of ending his winless run this season after setting the fastest time in first practice for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.

The result came as a surprise because it marked the first time this season that neither a Mercedes nor a Ferrari driver had topped an FP1 session. Verstappen placed the RB22 at the head of the timesheets, while team-mate Isack Hadjar finished fourth.

Verstappen’s pace also arrived amid concerns over the straight-line performance of Red Bull Racing. The team has not used its “Macarena” rear wing this weekend and has returned to the original specification, which was expected to bring a compromise on Spa’s long straights.

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Despite that concern, Verstappen finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, who placed the two Ferraris between the Red Bull drivers. The result gave the team a strong initial platform from which to develop its set-up for the remaining sessions.

Leading FP1 does not provide a definitive picture of Verstappen’s victory prospects because the opening session does not fully represent qualifying pace or long-run performance. However, his position at the top showed that the RB22 remains competitive with the conventional rear-wing configuration.

Strong Dutch support in the Spa-Francorchamps grandstands will also accompany Verstappen’s efforts throughout the weekend. After a difficult start to the season, the Belgian Grand Prix could provide an opportunity to return to the front if Red Bull can retain the balance and pace displayed in FP1.

The next assessment will come in the remaining sessions, when qualifying simulations and race runs provide a clearer indication of whether Red Bull’s early speed can be converted into a genuine victory opportunity.