P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The first day at Spa-Francorchamps offered a chance to analyse both one-lap and long-run pace. RacingNews365 technical expert Paolo Filisetti takes a look at the top teams and explains their performances.
The first two free practice sessions for the Belgian Grand Prix painted a clear picture of the track’s power balance, with McLaren leading the pack, closely followed by Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. Both McLaren cars showcased a new configuration, featuring a modified rear wing and a low-downforce front wing. Red Bull’s approach with the RB20s was intriguing, especially with Perez opting out of the new low-downforce setup and a narrower nose, focusing on maximizing Verstappen’s efficiency. Despite Verstappen’s 10-place grid penalty, Red Bull experimented with different rear wing options to find the ideal setup for the race. While McLaren showed consistent performance on long runs, Red Bull faced challenges, and Ferrari aimed to build on progress from Hungary, raising concerns over bouncing. Mercedes struggled to adapt to the track with increased downforce, suggesting McLaren and Red Bull as the top contenders for the weekend. The race’s outcome may hinge on Verstappen’s ability to advance from the midfield quickly, while Leclerc could still spring a surprise in qualifying.
