The 2026 Belgian Grand Prix rolls into the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot from 17–19 July, marking the 59th time Formula 1 has raced at this legendary circuit and the 71st edition of the Belgian Grand Prix as a World Championship round. It’s round ten of the 2026 Formula One World Championship, and with the standings tighter than they’ve been all season, every session this weekend carries extra weight.
Here’s the complete Belgian Grand Prix schedule, session by session, so you know exactly when to tune in.
Where the Championship Stands Before Lights Out
Heading into Spa, Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship with 179 points, holding a 25-point edge over Mercedes teammate George Russell and a 32-point cushion over Lewis Hamilton in third. In the Constructors’ standings, Mercedes sits on top with 333 points, ahead of Ferrari on 255 and McLaren on 179.
That gap between Antonelli and Russell is the equivalent of a single race win — which makes this Belgian Grand Prix schedule one to circle, session for session, if you want to follow how the title fight shifts in real time.
Thursday 16 July: Media Day and Track Prep
Thursday is largely housekeeping — track checks, safety car testing, and the traditional media build-up — but it sets the tone for the weekend.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 14:30 – 15:30 | Drivers’ Press Conference |
| 15:20 | Track Open to F1 Pass Holders |
| 17:00 – 17:30 | FIA Formula 2 Team Managers’ & Drivers’ Meeting |
| 17:30 – 18:00 | FIA Formula 3 Team Managers’ & Drivers’ Meeting |
| 18:00 – 19:30 | Alpine: Run for Anthoine |
| 19:30 | Team Curfew Starts |
The Run for Anthoine, Alpine’s annual on-track tribute, remains one of the more poignant fixtures of the Spa weekend and always draws a strong fan reaction trackside.
Friday 17 July: Practice Gets Underway
Friday is where the on-track action really begins, with F3, F2 and F1 all hitting the circuit across a packed schedule.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 09:55 – 10:40 | FIA Formula 3 Practice Session |
| 11:05 – 11:50 | FIA Formula 2 Practice Session |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | FIA F1 Car Presentation |
| 12:30 – 12:50 | Historic F1 Cars Demonstration (High Speed) |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Formula 1 First Practice Session |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | FIA Formula 3 Qualifying Session |
| 15:30 – 16:30 | Formula 1 Teams’ Press Conference |
| 15:55 – 16:25 | FIA Formula 2 Qualifying Session |
| 17:00 – 18:00 | Formula 1 Second Practice Session |
| 18:30 – 19:15 | Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Practice Session |
Two full hours of Formula 1 track time on Friday gives every team a real chance to dial in their setups for Spa’s unique mix of high-speed corners and elevation changes — critical at a circuit where aerodynamic balance can make or break a weekend.
Saturday 18 July: Sprint Weekend Format Takes Center Stage
Saturday is the busiest day of the weekend, combining F3 and F2 sprint races with Formula 1’s third practice and the all-important qualifying session.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 10:00 – 10:45 | FIA Formula 3 Sprint Race (12 laps or 40 mins + 1 lap) |
| 11:20 – 11:50 | Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Qualifying Session |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Formula 1 Third Practice Session |
| 14:15 – 15:05 | FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race (18 laps or 45 mins + 1 lap) |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | Formula 1 Qualifying Session |
| 17:15 – 17:35 | Historic F1 Cars Demonstration (High Speed) |
| 18:30 – 19:30 | F1 Experiences Champions Club Grid Walk, Trophy Photo & Track Tour |
Saturday’s Formula 1 Qualifying Session is the moment that will define Sunday’s starting grid — and given how narrow the gaps have been between Mercedes and Ferrari in recent rounds, grid position at Spa could prove decisive.
Sunday 19 July: Race Day at Spa-Francorchamps
Race day builds through the morning with the junior categories before the main event under the Ardennes sky.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:20 | FIA Formula 3 Feature Race (15 laps or 45 mins + 1 lap) |
| 10:00 – 11:05 | FIA Formula 2 Feature Race (25 laps or 60 mins + 1 lap) |
| 11:45 – 12:20 | Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Race (12 laps or 30 mins + 1 lap) |
| 12:30 – 12:50 | Historic F1 Cars Demonstration (High Speed) |
| 13:00 – 13:30 | Drivers’ Parade |
| 14:20 – 14:30 | Pit Lane Open |
| 14:44 – 14:46 | National Anthem |
| 15:00 – 17:00 | Formula 1 Grand Prix (44 laps or 120 mins) |
Lights out for the Belgian Grand Prix is scheduled for 15:00 local time, with the race distance set at 44 laps or a maximum of 120 minutes — whichever comes first.
Why Spa’s Timetable Matters This Year
Spa-Francorchamps rewards precision and punishes hesitation, and with Antonelli’s championship lead down to just 25 points over Russell, every session on this schedule — not just the race itself — could shape the next chapter of the title fight. A strong qualifying effort on Saturday sets up track position at a circuit where overtaking is possible but never guaranteed, especially through sections like Eau Rouge and the Kemmel Straight.
Sunday’s Grand Prix will be watched closely not just for who takes the chequered flag, but for how the gap between Mercedes’ two drivers — and Ferrari’s chasing pack — moves heading into the second half of the 2026 season.