2023 Belgian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Verstappen leads by 110 points over Pérez. Alonso is third, a further 32 back. Red Bull lead the Constructors’ by 229 over Mercedes, with Aston Martin a further 39 behind in third.

Previous race

At Hungary, Verstappen won from second on the grid after overtaking polesitter Hamilton at turn 1. Red Bull Racing extend their record for consecutive constructor wins to twelve, surpassing McLaren’s run of eleven from 1988. Norris finished second and Pérez third; Hamilton was fourth after being passed by both McLarens in the opening laps.

Sprint format

This is the third sprint weekend of the season.

Entrants

Daniel Ricciardo continues at AlphaTauri in the seat he has held since Hungary.

Tyre choices

Pirelli brings the C2, C3, and C4 compounds — designated hard, medium, and soft.

Penalties

Verstappen carries a five-place grid penalty for the Grand Prix after exceeding his allocated number of gearbox components. Charles Leclerc starts from pole position as a result. Magnussen receives a three-place grid penalty for impeding Leclerc in Q2.

Practice

The single free practice session is held in heavy rain and is red-flagged after Sargeant loses control and crashes into the barriers. The session ends prematurely: Sainz tops the timing sheets, with the McLarens of Piastri and Norris second and third. Stroll, Gasly, Ocon, and Verstappen do not set representative times before the session is concluded.