The final double-header before Formula 1’s summer break begins with the Belgian Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports, on July 17-19.
Everything is to play for at Spa-Francorchamps after Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead was significantly reduced at the British Grand Prix following more misfortune at Silverstone.
His Mercedes team-mate George Russell finished second to close within 25 points after nine rounds, while Lewis Hamilton is just seven points further back after claiming another podium as his team-mate Charles Leclerc earned Ferrari a second win in three races.
While it’s been largely misfortune rather than any lack of speed that has seen the 66-point Antonelli had built shrink, the 19-year-old is now under pressure to reassert himself in the title battle.
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Highlights from the 2026 British Grand Prix.
There will also be plenty of attention on four-time world champion Max Verstappen, whose Dutch army of fans travel in huge numbers to Belgium for this event.
Verstappen’s future will continue to be subject to heavy speculation:he was critical of Red Bull at Silverstone after a technical issue caused him to crash for a second successive weekend, with those incidents coming after the Dutchman’s representatives held talks with McLaren over a potential blockbuster switch.
Belgian GP circuit: Spa-Francorchamps track layout
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the longest track F1 visits at 4.352 miles (7.004km) and also one of the fastest with iconic corners such as Eau Rouge, Pouhon and Blanchimont.
Sector 1 is essentially made up of just a hairpin followed by a long flat out section through Eau Rouge, Raidillon and down the Kemmel Straight where there is plenty of overtaking.
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George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri were involved in a thrilling finale at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix.
The middle sector is full of fast, flowing corners before the final part of the lap heavily relies on strong straight line speed going into the final chicane, the Bus Stop, where a driver can throw away a brilliant lap by braking too late or being too conservative.
Michael Schumacher holds the record for the most Belgian GP wins with six triumphs at the event which has largely been a staple on the F1 calendar since 1983.
Belgian GP weather in Spa-Francorchamps
As usual, the weather in Spa-Francorchamps is very difficult to predict as a rain shower can spring up from anywhere and the nearby Ardennes Forest can keep moisture in the area when it is wet.
The current forecast suggests that the heatwave sweeping across Europe could come to an end just in time for the event, with a significant chance of rain predicted for all three days of track action.
Belgian GP 2026 dates, UK start time and Sky Sports F1’s live schedule
Thursday July 16
2pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
5pm: Paddock Uncut
Friday July 17
8.50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Belgian GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
2pm: F3 Qualifying
2.30pm: Team Principals’ Press Conference
2.55pm: F2 Qualifying
3.30pm: Belgian GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday July 18
9am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Belgian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.15pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Belgian GP Qualifying build-up*
3pm: BELGIAN GP QUALIFYING*
Sunday July 19
7.30am: F3 Feature Race
9am: F2 Feature Race
10.45am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Belgian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
2pm: THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
4pm: Belgian GP reaction: Chequered Flag
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
How to watch or stream the Belgian Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland
Got Sky?
TV: Sky Customers can watch on Sky Sports F1 from the first practice session on Friday morning to the Belgian Grand Prix itself on Sunday July 19 at 2pm
App: Sky Customers can also watch on the Sky Sports app – with the option to go onboard with any driver!
Not got Sky?
Stream: Non-Sky Customers can stream the action with a NOW Day or a cancel-anytime Month pass
Live blog: Anyone on the move can follow live coverage of the race weekend through our dedicated F1 blog
FREE Highlights: Watch F1 highlights shortly after the chequered flag on the Sky Sports app
How to watch the Belgian GP with the Sky Sports app
Sky Sports Subscribers can:
- Download or open the Sky Sports app
- Head to the ‘Watch’ section at 12.30pm for build-up, ahead of lights out at 2pm on raceday
- Tap on the Sky Sports F1 or Sky Sports Main Event channel
- Sign in with your Sky iD (*you’ll only need to do this once)
*Sky iD help: How to find or create your Sky iD
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Formula 1’s summer run continues with the Belgian Grand Prix at legendary Spa-Francorchamps on July 17-19, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
