BRIEFING F1: BELGIAN GP

Only two races remain before Formula 1’s summer break, and the first stop is none other than Spa-Francorchamps — one of the sport’s most iconic venues. Seven kilometers of pure adrenaline, nestled in the Ardennes forest, on a track that — despite modern F1 cars softening some of its edge — still demands a near-perfect lap to truly make a difference.

Once upon a time, Spa was the ultimate test for a driver: you were either up to the challenge, or you weren’t. Today, the overall skill level has risen and the approach has become more “accessible,” but mastering Eau Rouge, navigating Raidillon, and finding flow between fast straights and sweeping corners remains a task for the very best.

Ferrari Faces a Crossroads at Spa

All eyes are naturally on Ferrari. The SF-25 arrives in Belgium with a key upgrade: a new rear suspension. On paper, this update aims to fix one of the car’s biggest weaknesses this season. The goal? Better control over ride height, increased downforce from the floor, and a more forgiving mechanical setup. It all sounds promising — but as we know, the track is the ultimate judge.

The Sprint format won’t make things easier: just one free practice session before the weekend kicks into high gear. Limited time to test, maximum scrutiny, and high stakes. Maranello is placing its faith in the package. Spa could be a proving ground — or a turning point.

McLaren Looking for Confirmation

At Woking, the goal is clear: repeat the success of Silverstone. McLaren has found its spark again, and will bring further updates to Spa, especially to the car’s floor. All eyes, though, are on Piastri: will he too adopt the front suspension tweaks that have seemingly turned the MCL60 into a second skin for Norris? The Brit is coming off two consecutive wins, and the team is eager to ride the momentum.

Red Bull: Turmoil Off Track

The real bombshell in the Red Bull camp didn’t come from the car, but from the pit wall. The abrupt dismissal of Christian Horner — replaced by Laurent Mekies — has sent shockwaves through the paddock. A seismic change, with consequences that are still hard to fully grasp. Some speak of an internal power struggle, others of a strategic reshuffle to retain Verstappen, who’s now being courted by Mercedes.

On track, Red Bull will look to once again leverage its aerodynamic efficiency on Spa’s long straights. But without Horner’s steady hand at the helm, can the team stay on course?

Mercedes: Still Chasing the Right Temperature

Mercedes continues its battle against an invisible opponent: tire temperature. Striking the right balance between optimal operating window, thermal management, and degradation remains the team’s biggest headache. Cooler temps expected this weekend might help, but Spa’s mix of high-speed corners and full-throttle sections will keep the challenge intact.

Pirelli’s Gamble

Adding even more intrigue to the weekend is Pirelli’s bold tire choice: C1, C3, and C4. A double-step between the hard and medium compounds that’s clearly designed to spice up strategies, pushing teams toward softer tires and, ideally, more pit stops. Controlled chaos? Possibly.

Weather: Welcome to the Ardennes

And then there’s the most classic Spa variable of all: the weather. The Belgian track is infamous for its unpredictable climate, and with the Sprint format allowing less room for error, teams will have to adapt on the fly. Less time to learn, more chances to slip up — it’s a recipe for a race that might defy the script.

Fun? Maybe. Chaotic? Likely. But if, amid all the unknowns, a competitive Ferrari were to emerge — perhaps one capable of fighting at the front through the rest of the season — then Spa might turn out to be much more than just a stop before the break.

© Simone Marchetti Cavalieri

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