Red Bull pair dominate first FP1 session
Max Verstappen secured the top spot in the opening practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix, beating Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by over a tenth of a second. This early display from Red Bull has put them ahead of the field as they prepare for action at Zandvoort.
The young Dutch driver managed to edge out the veteran British racer with his precise lap in the first 20 minutes of practice, demonstrating the strong form Red Bull is capable of on the track. Red Bull and VERstappen were at the top of the timesheets as they traded fastest laps.
Strong early pace from Verstappen
After a strategic decision, Verstappen stuck with mediums while his teammate adopted softer tyres, swapping positions at the top several times during the initial 20-minute window.
Ferrari’s Hamilton stays close in FP1
Lewis Hamilton was consistently within striking distance and managed to hold off Red Bull's challenge for a significant portion of the session. The gap between the two drivers may not seem substantial now, but it could prove critical during the race.