Formula One (F1) heads to a fan favourite, Spa-Francorchamps, for the tenth round of the 2026 championship. Kimi Antonelli, who enjoyed early-season dominance, is now struggling and will be looking to regain the advantage in Belgium. In this article, we discuss all the important stories ahead of the 2026 Belgian GP.
Also Read
Track and Weather
In 1921, designers Jules de Thier and Henri Langlois van Ophem built the original triangle-shaped circuit between the towns of Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot using public roads. The original Spa-Francorchamps measured 14.9 km. Following its redevelopment in 1979, the circuit’s length was reduced by half, but it remains the longest track on the Formula One calendar.
The fan-favourite circuit features a mix of long straights and fast corners that challenge drivers to push their cars to the limit. The track is so long that it can be raining in one section while remaining dry in another, meaning grip levels can vary significantly throughout the lap.
The most noticeable feature of the circuit is Eau Rouge, the most famous sequence of corners in Formula One.
| Circuit Lenght | 4.657 km |
| Number of Turns | 19 |
| Number of Laps | 66 |
| Race Distance | 308.052 km |
| Fastest Lap Record (Race) | 1:44.701 Sergio Perez 2024 (Race) |
Spa is known for its rapidly changing weather. After weeks of heatwaves, temperatures are expected to drop across Europe this week, including at Spa. Wet weather is also expected. On race day, temperatures are forecast to reach a high of 19°C and a low of 8°C.
Time for Antonelli to bounce back at the 2026 Belgian GP
Kimi Antonelli dominantly started the season, winning five races in a row and building a 66-point lead in the World Drivers’ Championship (WDC). Things started to unravel for the Italian at the Barcelona GP, where he suffered technical issues. He then missed the podium at the Austrian GP, while his championship rival George Russell claimed victory, reducing Antonelli’s lead.
At Silverstone, the 19-year-old again suffered reliability issues and received a penalty, finishing 16th without scoring any points, while Russell collected 18 points. As a result, the gap between them has been reduced to just 25 points.
Antonelli has experience at Spa and enjoyed success there during his junior career. It will be interesting to see whether he can use that experience to regain momentum in the championship.
Will Red Bull’s misery continue in Spa?
Spa is a circuit that places high demands on energy management. Like Silverstone, this race is expected to favour teams with stronger battery and energy deployment. Red Bull has struggled in this area, and it is expected to face another difficult weekend at the Belgian GP.
Keep Reading
Argentina Do It Again: Late Messi Magic Sinks England To Reach The Final
