Verstappen praises teammate after Belgian Grand Prix qualifying

On Saturday 18 July 2026, the third free practice for the Belgian Grand Prix took place. Pierre Gasly crashed his Alpine during the second practice session, prompting an investigation into the cause of the slip. The Racing Bulls team introduced a new component that had been tested at Silverstone and fitted it to Arvid Lindblad’s car. Lewis Hamilton commented on the new regulations, noting that straight‑line excitement was reduced but the corners remained enjoyable.

In qualifying, Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured pole position, improving his lap times across sectors despite a changing track surface. Max Verstappen finished second and thanked teammate Isack Hadjar for providing a slipstream in the final sector, saying “my teammate gave me a good wind‑box.” McLaren’s Lando Norris recorded the third‑fastest time but will start from 13th after receiving a penalty. Other drivers expressed mixed views on their performances and the conditions.