
Belgian Grand Prix: Starting Grid For | Weather Sunday | When Does Start
The Formula 1 world turns its eyes once again to the majestic and historic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix. Known for its unpredictable weather, dramatic elevation changes, and the legendary Eau Rouge-Raidillon combination, Spa delivers a unique challenge that separates great drivers from legends.
This article covers everything you need to know: the starting grid for the Belgian GP, detailed weather forecast for Sunday, and crucial timing—when does the race start, both locally and globally.
Belgian Grand Prix Overview
The Belgian Grand Prix is one of the crown jewels of the Formula 1 calendar. Held at Spa-Francorchamps, it offers high-speed straights, complex corners, and iconic elevation changes.
- Location: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
- Track Length: 7.004 km (4.352 miles)
- Race Distance: 44 laps, 308.052 km
- First Grand Prix: 1950
- Most Wins (Driver): Michael Schumacher (6)
- Most Wins (Team): Ferrari (18)
Spa has hosted some of F1’s most iconic moments, including rain-affected drama, massive pileups, and last-lap overtakes. This year’s event is expected to deliver no less.
Belgian Grand Prix Starting Grid
After a fiercely competitive qualifying session, the starting grid for the Belgian Grand Prix was finalized. Here’s how the drivers will line up for Sunday’s race.
Note: Penalties, grid drops, and sprint race results (if applicable) may alter final positions.
Top 10 Starting Grid
Position | Driver | Team | Time |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1:44.512 |
2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:44.923 |
3 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:45.047 |
4 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1:45.230 |
5 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:45.478 |
6 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:45.601 |
7 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Racing | 1:45.770 |
8 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:45.802 |
9 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:46.007 |
10 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 1:46.100 |
Full Starting Grid
- Pierre Gasly – Alpine
- Nico Hülkenberg – Haas
- Valtteri Bottas – Sauber
- Zhou Guanyu – Sauber
- Kevin Magnussen – Haas
- Daniel Ricciardo – RB
- Yuki Tsunoda – RB
- Lance Stroll – Aston Martin
- Logan Sargeant – Williams
- Alexander Albon – Williams (Grid penalty applied)
Stay updated with FIA communications in case of late penalties or parc fermé infringements.
Belgian Grand Prix Weather Sunday Forecast
One of the most critical factors at Spa is the weather. The Ardennes forest region is infamous for localized and fast-changing conditions. Wet weather can affect one part of the track while another remains dry.
Here’s the Sunday weather forecast for the Belgian Grand Prix:
- Date: Sunday, Race Day
- Forecast: Partly cloudy to overcast
- Chance of Rain: 40%
- Temperature: 18–21°C (64–69°F)
- Wind: 15–25 km/h (gusty in exposed areas)
- Humidity: 75–85%
- Track Conditions: Potentially damp in the first half of the race
Key Weather Insights:
- Teams are preparing for a mixed-condition race.
- Intermediate tyres may come into play depending on rain timing.
- Wind at Blanchimont and Kemmel Straight could affect top speeds.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on minute-by-minute radar apps. Weather at Spa can flip in under 10 minutes!
When Does the Belgian Grand Prix Start?
Timing is everything in Formula 1. Whether you’re watching from Europe, the Americas, Asia, or Australia, you’ll want to know when lights go out for the main event.
Belgian GP 2025 Start Time (Local and Global)
- Local Time (Belgium): 15:00 CEST (Central European Summer Time)
- UK: 14:00 BST
- USA (East): 09:00 EDT
- USA (West): 06:00 PDT
- India: 18:30 IST
- Australia: 23:30 AEST
- Japan: 22:00 JST
Coverage begins 1 hour earlier with the pre-race show, driver interviews, and grid walk.
Strategy Insights & Race Predictions
Tyre Strategy:
Pirelli has provided the C2 (Hard), C3 (Medium), and C4 (Soft) compounds for the weekend. With the unpredictable weather:
- One-stop strategy: Medium to Hard (dry conditions)
- Wet scenario: Expect multiple stops, with Intermediates and possibly Full Wets in play
DRS Zones:
- Zone 1: Kemmel Straight (Turn 4–5)
- Zone 2: Pit Straight
What to Watch For:
- Max Verstappen’s dominance, but wet races can throw surprises.
- Ferrari’s front-row chances – Can Leclerc convert into victory?
- McLaren’s rising form with Norris and Piastri.
- Midfield chaos – Alpine, Haas, and Sauber have close pace.
Driver Quotes Before the Race
Max Verstappen (Red Bull):
“Spa is special to me. The car feels strong, but the rain could change everything.”
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari):
“We’ve got a good car in qualifying, but we need to manage tyre wear better on Sunday.”
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes):
“Third on the grid is promising. If the rain comes, we’ll be in the mix.”
Where to Watch the Belgian Grand Prix Live
Fans worldwide can catch the action on various platforms:
TV Broadcast
- UK: Sky Sports F1
- USA: ESPN / ESPN+
- India: F1 TV Pro or FanCode
- Australia: Fox Sports
- Canada: TSN
- Europe (varies): DAZN, Canal+, Viaplay
Online Streaming
- F1 TV Pro: Full coverage, onboard cameras, team radios
- Sky Go / ESPN App: Region-based streams
- YouTube F1 Channel: Highlights and post-race interviews
Ensure subscriptions or VPN access where necessary.
Belgian GP Historical Stats
Year | Winner | Team | Weather |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Dry |
2023 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Wet |
2022 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Dry |
2021 | No Race (Rain) | — | Wet |
2020 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Dry |
The Belgian GP has always delivered unexpected twists—expect no less this year.
Final Thoughts: Why Spa-Francorchamps Never Disappoints
The Belgian Grand Prix is not just another race—it’s a spectacle. With a powerful blend of historic legacy, technical complexity, and wild weather, Spa continues to captivate F1 fans worldwide.
This year’s edition is poised to thrill once again with a competitive grid, potential wet race, and multiple drivers eyeing the podium.
Summary Table
Topic | Details |
---|---|
Starting Grid | Max P1, Leclerc P2, Hamilton P3 |
Weather Forecast | Partly cloudy, 40% chance of rain |
Race Start Time (CEST) | 15:00 (local Belgium time) |
Watch Live | Sky Sports, ESPN, F1 TV, Fox Sports |
Strategy | One-stop dry or multi-stop in wet conditions |
Track | 7.004 km Spa-Francorchamps Circuit |
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