Belgian Grand Prix

The 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps starts at 14:00 CEST (UTC+2) on Sunday 19 July. At 7.004 km, it is the longest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar, threading through the forests and valleys of the Ardennes.

This is not a sprint weekend. Practice, qualifying, and the race run across the standard three-day format.

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the circuit that drivers love above all others. At over 7 km, it is the longest lap on the calendar, threading through the forests and valleys of the Ardennes. Eau Rouge and Raidillon, the uphill compression that launches cars from the valley floor to the crest above, is the most iconic corner sequence in motorsport. The Kemmel Straight that follows provides one of the best overtaking opportunities of the season, with cars arriving at Les Combes at well over 300 km/h.

Spa has produced some of F1's most dramatic races. Michael Schumacher won his debut Grand Prix victory here in 1992 for Benetton, announcing himself to the world. The 1998 race saw a massive first-lap pileup in the rain that wiped out half the field. Kimi Raikkonen's victory in 2009 for Ferrari was a superb race management performance starting from sixth on the grid. In 2021, the race was controversially run behind the safety car for just two laps due to torrential rain, with Max Verstappen declared the winner after the field completed the minimum distance.

For European fans, the 14:00 CEST start is a comfortable Sunday afternoon watch. UK viewers tune in at 13:00 BST. North American audiences get a morning slot at 08:00 Eastern and 05:00 Pacific. Australian fans face a 22:00 AEST start, while Asian viewers watch at 20:00 JST and 20:00 CST. Check Belgium time for the exact start in your location.

Spa's microclimate is legendary. The circuit is so long that it can rain on one section while the sun blazes on another. This has produced some of the most chaotic and memorable races in F1 history, where tire choices become existential decisions. Under the 2026 aerodynamic regulations, the approach to Eau Rouge, where commitment is everything, will test how much drivers trust their new cars at the absolute limit.