Preview for 2023 Belgian Grand Prix as F1 heads to Spa Francorchamps, Belgium looking to enter the summer break on a high.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen enters this weekend sat 110 points clear of Sergio Perez and just four Grand Prix wins away from potentially wrapping up the title in Singapore in mid-September, as he seeks to continue his dominance.
Belgium though sees the return of the Sprint weekend format which promises to mix things up with the added weather threat of rain forecast for the weekend, whilst several teams look to build upon the positives of Hungary.
Now, here is a full guide to everything that you need to know ahead of 2023 Belgian GP weekend.
Track Guide
Circuit: Spa Francorchamps
Laps: 44
Race Distance: 308.052km
Tyre Compounds: C2, C3 & C4
Schedule
| Date | Session | Time (BST) |
| Friday 28 July | Practice | 12:30pm |
| Friday 28 July | Qualifying | 4:00pm |
| Saturday 29 July | Sprint Qualifying | 11:00am |
| Saturday 29 July | Sprint | 3:30pm |
| Sunday 30 July | Race | 2:00pm |
Five Key Pointers
- With this race taking place in July for the first time, tyre degradation could be higher due to potential higher temperatures than in previous years.
- After struggling with the high downforce of Hungaroring, Aston Martin will be eager to bounce back with a strong weekend despite their struggles with the sprint weekend format.
- Straight-line speed will be key around Spa Francorchamps given the many straights spread across the circuit, although cornering and braking will just be as crucial to nailing the perfect lap.
- Teams will need to be wary of potential for mixed track conditions if rain sweeps in because there is potential for half of the circuit to be wet, yet other half completely dry and affect strategy calls.
- One-stop strategies have often been favoured in dry races around Spa Francorchamps in recent years, but pit stop timing could well be crucial if safety car is deployed at any point.
Last Time Out
Verstappen stormed through the field from 14th on the grid in 2022 to take the lead on Lap 12 before he eventually repassed pole-sitter, Carlos Sainz on Lap 18 to secure a ninth victory, whilst Perez and Sainz rounded out the podium.