Max Verstappen, Red Bull driver, set the fastest lap time in the first free practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix of the Formula 1 World Championship on Friday, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari as his closest pursuers.

Hamilton, a seven-time F1 champion, and Leclerc, who have each won two races this season, were slower by 0.145 and 0.207 seconds respectively from Verstappen's best time of 1 minute 47.070 seconds.

Verstappen, born in Belgium and a four-time champion, has won three times at Spa-Francorchamps, most recently in 2023, while Hamilton aims for his sixth win to equal the record.

The Dutch driver suffered two high-speed accidents in the last two races, prompting Red Bull to revert to a conventional rear wing.

His teammate Isaac Hajjar, who will start from the back of the grid on Sunday due to an engine-related penalty, recorded the fourth fastest time.

Oscar Piastri, McLaren driver and winner of the 2025 race, placed fifth, while Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes driver and championship leader, placed sixth, and Lando Norris, McLaren driver and title holder, placed seventh.

Antonelli expressed anger at Carlos Sainz, Williams driver, calling the Spaniard an idiot for blocking his path.

Norris was on pole at Spa last year, but this time he will face a 10-place grid penalty, added to his qualifying position.

George Russell, Mercedes driver, placed eighth in the times, ahead of rookie Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls driver, and Gabriel Bortoleto from Audi team.

Russell trails the Italian Antonelli (19 years old) by 25 points after nine rounds of the championship.

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin driver, veered into the gravel at the end of the session.