Monday in Formula 1 was marked by doubts about Max Verstappen’s future and preparations for the Belgian GP. The approach of the Spa-Francorchamps stage also brought warnings about rain, energy management, and the strength of the main teams in the championship.
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Verstappen returned to the center of the market after the British media pointed to advanced negotiations with McLaren for 2027. Despite the information, there is still no confirmation of an agreement, and other investigations indicate that staying at Red Bull or even leaving F1 appear as more likely possibilities. The Dutchman also admitted that he needs a few days to regain focus after the retirement in Silverstone, caused by yet another failure in the RB22.
On the track, Ferrari and Mercedes arrive as the main references for Spa. The Italian team is experiencing its best moment after Lewis Hamilton’s victories in Barcelona and Charles Leclerc in England, while Mercedes remains the most consistent team of the season. Red Bull seeks a reaction, McLaren tries to turn speed into results, and Audi arrives excited by recent evolution and Gabriel Bortoleto’s performance in Silverstone.
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Fernando Alonso, however, issued a warning about the 2026 cars. The Spaniard fears that electric energy management will make F1 slower than Formula 2 in some sections of Spa, especially when the battery runs out on the long straights. The weather may also complicate Friday, which has the highest chance of rain, while Saturday and Sunday present a lower risk of precipitation.
The Belgian GP takes place between July 17 and 19. TL1 starts on Friday at 08:30, followed by TL2 at 12:00. Qualifying will be on Saturday at 11:00, and the race takes place on Sunday at 10:00, always Brasília time. Outside Belgium, F1 has practically ruled out rescheduling the Bahrain GP and is watching the Qatar and Abu Dhabi stages with concern.
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