Belgian Grand Prix: F1 – live

Key events

Verstappen spotted making his way to the grid.

How will P6 affect his finish?

Red Bull's Max Verstappen (centre) is pictured on the grid before the Belgian Grand Prix.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen (centre) is taking a five-place grid following a gearbox change. Photograph: Stéphanie Lecocq/Reuters

Does the FIA prioritise the safety of their drivers?

George Russell believes that the F1 governing body shouldn’t second guess cancelling races in the interest of safety.

“Following recent events, the FIA have to be bold with their decisions when it comes to safety, when it comes to visibility,” he said.

“Everybody wants to race but when you are going down that straight at over 200 miles an hour and you can’t see 50 metres in front of you, there will be huge incidents.”

Read more below.

Not a great start for Nico Hulkenberg…

It's not a good Sunday for Nico Hulkenberg so far...

He's already starting from the pit lane after his Haas team changed car parts in parc ferme conditions

And now he's back in the garage after reporting smoke coming from the car during his out lap#BelgianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/U2Com1Pvdd

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 30, 2023

A new Grand Prix, a new winner?

Probably not.

It’s the Belgian Grand Prix, where we’ll get to watch 44 laps at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

The question on everyone’s mind before today’s race (and seemingly every other race this year) is if anyone can stop Max Verstappen’s winning streak.

The Dutchman is hoping to become the second driver in Formula One history to win eight races in a row.

The current leader of the F1 championship is sixth on the grid after a gearbox change, but last year he managed to win this race from 14th.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc sits in pole position alongside Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in third for Mercedes.

The conditions at the track haven’t been consistent all weekend, which may make today a bit more exciting.

Currently, it’s quite dry out in Stavelot, but we’ll see if that changes.

Lights out: 2pm UK time