Round 10 of 22 · Belgian Grand Prix

Belgian Grand Prix

3:00 PM GMT+2 · Spa-Francorchamps · Spa-Francorchamps

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Spa-Francorchamps

Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium · Europe/Brussels

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is a 7.004 km (4.352 miles) circuit carved through the Ardennes forest in eastern Belgium, with 19 corners across a 44-lap race distance of 308.052 km. It is the longest circuit on the F1 calendar and, by near-universal consensus among drivers, the greatest. The original track dates back to 1921, first hosting an F1 championship race in 1950. Sergio Perez holds the lap record at 1:44.701, set in 2024.

The lap begins with the La Source hairpin before plunging downhill into Eau Rouge and up through Raidillon, a compression-and-climb sequence taken flat out at over 300 km/h. The Kemmel Straight that follows is the primary DRS and overtaking zone, where slipstreaming battles produce dramatic side-by-side racing into Les Combes. The middle sector flows through Rivage, Pouhon (a fast double-apex left-hander), and Fagnes. The back section includes Stavelot, Blanchimont (a flat-out left kink at 300 km/h), and the Bus Stop chicane. The massive elevation changes test every aspect of car performance.

Spa has been the site of legendary races. On 30 August 1998, Damon Hill won a chaotic rain-soaked race for Jordan, the team’s first-ever victory, after a massive first-lap pileup. On 28 August 2022, Max Verstappen drove from 14th on the grid to victory after taking engine penalties. The 2021 race on 29 August was infamously shortened to two laps behind the safety car due to standing water, awarding half points. Spa’s weather is its defining wild card; the circuit is large enough that rain can fall on one section while another remains dry.

The timezone is Europe/Brussels at CEST (UTC+2). A 14:00 local start is 12:00 GMT and 08:00 EDT. European fans get a perfect Sunday afternoon race, while North American viewers can watch over breakfast. Asian fans can catch the race in the evening. Check Belgium time and Brussels time for conversions.

July in the Ardennes brings mild temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius, but afternoon thunderstorms are common. The forested hillsides, the scent of pine, and the sound of cars echoing through the valley make Spa-Francorchamps a pilgrimage for motorsport fans. Spectators can camp in the surrounding forests, and the circuit is accessible from Brussels, Liege, and Cologne. There is no circuit on earth quite like it.

See the full race schedule and session times at the Belgian Grand Prix page.

Live Race Tracker

When the Belgian Grand Prix goes live, this page transforms into a real-time race tracker. Every car plotted on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit map, updating multiple times per second. No app to install, no subscription required.

The tracker connects directly to F1's official timing feed via WebSocket and streams live data to your browser: race positions, gap to leader, interval to car ahead, tire compound, pit stop count, and lap times for all 20 drivers.

Click any driver to see their full race data: fastest lap, last lap time, grid position, tire strategy with stint history, and points scored. The driver card follows their car on the circuit map showing position and gap in real time.

Team radio messages appear in a live feed as they are broadcast. These are the actual audio recordings from the pit wall: engineer instructions, driver reactions, pit calls, and celebrations. Each message has a play button. During the Belgian Grand Prix, expect 40 to 60 radio clips across all teams.

Race control decisions appear instantly: safety car deployments, yellow flags, driver investigations, penalties, and DRS activation. You see what the stewards are looking at before the television broadcast catches up.

The tracker activates automatically 30 minutes before the session starts and stays connected through red flags, weather delays, and safety cars. If the session is interrupted, the tracker waits and reconnects when racing resumes.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is the Belgian Grand Prix in my timezone?

The Belgian Grand Prix starts at 15:00 local time in Spa-Francorchamps on 2026-07-19. This page automatically converts the start time to your local timezone.

Where is the Belgian Grand Prix held?

The Belgian Grand Prix takes place at Spa-Francorchamps in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.

Is the Belgian Grand Prix a sprint weekend?

No, the Belgian Grand Prix follows the standard weekend format with practice, qualifying, and the race.

Can I watch the Belgian Grand Prix live timing for free?

Yes. whensport.com provides a free live race tracker for the Belgian Grand Prix with real-time car positions on a circuit map, live standings, gap times, tire strategy, pit stops, and playable team radio audio. No app or subscription required. The tracker activates 30 minutes before the session starts.

Can I listen to Belgian Grand Prix team radio live?

Yes. The whensport.com live tracker streams real F1 team radio audio during the Belgian Grand Prix. You hear actual driver-engineer conversations as they happen, with a play button for each message. Expect 40 to 60 radio clips during the race.