Belgian GP schedule: Racing action on the longest lap of the Formula 1 season

On the morning of 8 January 2025, it was confirmed that: Formula 1 has agreed a multi-year contract extension with the organisers of the Belgian Grand Prix – the race will take place at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in the Ardennes in four out of the next six years, namely in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031.

The legendary high-speed circuit, which opened in 1921, is one of only four tracks that were part of the first Formula 1 World Championship in 1950 – alongside Silverstone, Monaco and Monza.

When the Formula 1 circus heads to the Ardennes, it encounters one of the pinnacles of the sport: at 7.004 kilometres, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the longest track on the racing calendar. This makes the circuit one kilometre longer than the second-longest track in Baku (6.003 km).

Due to the length of the circuit, the Belgian Grand Prix has the lowest number of laps on the entire calendar, at 44.

At Spa, the engineers must strike a good balance between downforce levels and the car’s set-up. The first and third sectors feature long straights and full-throttle sections, whilst the second sector is twisty. In the middle sector, a larger wing is therefore an advantage, but this makes the car more vulnerable on the straights. A smaller wing offers less drag on the straights, but also means a lower level of grip in the second sector.

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TV program

Live

Spa: FP1

FIA Formula One World Championship

17.07.2026 - 13:15

Fans can look forward to a packed race programme, as our overview shows.

• Belgian Grand Prix Schedule

• Thursday, 16 July

• 09.00–11.45: Track open to F1 ticket holders

• 13.45–14.00: Track inspection

• 14.00–15.00: High-speed test of the safety car and medical car

• 14.30–15.15: Formula 1 drivers’ press conference

• 17.00–19.15: F1 Experiences Pit Lane Walk

• 17.15–19.15: F1 Experiences Track Tour, Trophy Photo and Pit Lane Walk

• 18.00–19.30: Run for Anthoine

• Friday, 17 July

• 09.05–09.20: Track inspection and safety car test

• 09.55–10.40: Formula 3 practice

• 11.05–11.50: Formula 2 practice

• 12.00–13.00: Formula 1 car presentation

• 12.00–12.30: Paddock Club Track Tour

• 12.00–13.00: Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk

• 12.30–12.50: Demonstration of historic F1 cars

• 13.10–13.20: Track inspection

• 13.30–14.30: First Formula 1 practice session

• 15.00–15.30: Formula 3 qualifying

• 15.30–16.30: Team principals’ press conference

• 15.55–16.25: Formula 2 qualifying

• 16.40–16.50: Track inspection

• 17.00–18.00: Second Formula 1 practice session

• 18.30–19.15: Porsche Supercup practice

• 19.30–20.15: Paddock Club Track Tour

• 19.30–20.15: Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk

• Saturday, 18 July

• 09.10–09.25: Track inspection and safety car test

• 10.00–10.50: Formula 3 sprint race (12 laps or 40 minutes + 1 lap)

• 11.20–11.50: Porsche Supercup qualifying

• 12.10–12.20: Track inspection

• 12.30–13.30: Formula 1 third practice session

• 14.15–15.05: Formula 2 sprint race (18 laps or 45 minutes + 1 lap)

• 15.10–15.40: Paddock Club Track Tour

• 15.10–15.45: Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk

• 15.40–15.50: Track inspection

• 16.00–17.00: Formula 1 qualifying

• 17.00–18.00: Qualifying press conference

• 17.15–17.35: Historic F1 cars demonstration

• 17.15–18.15: Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk

• 17.40–18.30: Paddock Club Track Tour

• 18.30–19.30: F1 Experiences Champions Club Grid Walk and trophy photo

• Sunday, 19 July

• 07.40–07.55: Track inspection and safety car test

• 08.30–09.20: Formula 3 main race (15 laps or 45 minutes + 1 lap)

• 10.00–11.05: Formula 2 main race (25 laps or 60 minutes + 1 lap)

• 11.45–12.20: Porsche Supercup race (12 laps or 30 minutes + 1 lap)

• 12.30–12.50: Demonstration of historic F1 cars

• 12.55–13.35: Global Partner Track Tour

• 12.55–13.55: Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk

• 13.00–13.30: Drivers’ parade

• 14.00–14.10: Track inspection

• 14.46–14.48: National anthem

• 15.00–17.00: Belgian Grand Prix (44 laps or 120 minutes)