Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set the pace in opening practice at Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix ahead of the two Ferraris.

Red Bull parked its ‘Macarena’-spec rear wing for the Spa weekend after back-to-back crashes for Verstappen in Austria and Silverstone.

But it made a strong start to Spa as Verstappen and team-mate Isack Hadjar took turns at leading FP1.

Verstappen ultimately ended up on top with a 1m47.070s, the first time he’s topped a practice session in 2026.

He was 0.145s clear of his closest competition, Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari. The British GP winner Charles Leclerc was third, 0.207s off Verstappen.

Hadjar, who will start from the back of the field due to multiple engine component changes beyond his allowance, was fourth fastest ahead of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren.

Piastri hit drama in the closing moments of FP1 as he had to tour very slowly back to the garage, having suddenly encountered an issue on the Kemmel Straight.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was sixth fastest for Mercedes ahead of Lando Norris’s McLaren, another driver facing a 10-place grid penalty this weekend for taking a new battery.

George Russell was eighth quickest ahead of the midfield leaders, Arvid Lindblad’s Racing Bulls and Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi.

Jak Crawford took Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin for the session and ended up with a fastest lap 6.129s off the pace, but was within four tenths of Lance Stroll's best effort.