Monday in Formula 1 was marked by questions about Max Verstappen’s future and by preparations for the Belgian Grand Prix. The approaching Spa-Francorchamps round also brought warnings about rain, energy management, and the strength of the championship’s leading teams.
Verstappen returned to the center of market speculation after British media pointed to advanced negotiations with McLaren for 2027. Despite the report, there is still no confirmation of an agreement, and other investigations indicate that staying with Red Bull or even leaving F1 appear as more probable possibilities. The Dutch driver also admitted that he would need a few days to regain focus after his retirement at Silverstone, caused by yet another failure in the RB22.
On the track, Ferrari and Mercedes arrive as the main reference points for Spa. The Italian team is enjoying its best moment after Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Barcelona and Charles Leclerc’s in England, while Mercedes remains the most consistent package of the season. Red Bull is looking for a reaction, McLaren is trying to turn speed into results, and Audi arrives buoyed by recent progress and by Gabriel Bortoleto’s performance at Silverstone.
Fernando Alonso, however, issued a warning about the 2026 cars. The Spaniard fears that the management of electric energy could slow F1 down compared to Formula 2 in certain sections of Spa, especially when the battery runs out on the long straights. Weather could also complicate Friday, which carries the greatest chance of rain, while Saturday and Sunday present a lower risk of precipitation.
The Belgian Grand Prix takes place from July 17 to 19. FP1 starts on Friday at 08:30, followed by FP2 at 12:00. Qualifying will be on Saturday at 11:00, and the race will take place on Sunday at 10:00, always in Brasília time. Outside Belgium, F1 has virtually ruled out rescheduling the Bahrain Grand Prix and is watching with concern the rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
