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F1 LIVE | Follow FP1 for the Belgian Grand Prix
It's the final race before the month-long summer break, which means that Formula 1 has arrived in Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix. After coming off the back of an action-packed Hungarian Grand Prix, tensions will be high throughout the grid as teams will want to go into the summer break on the front foot. At the iconic Spa circuit, the longest in the F1 calendar, can Oscar Piastri back up his maiden victory, or will Lando Norris and Max Verstappen continue to do battle? All those early indications will be found in FP1. Follow the action in the liveblog down below!
F1 Live - FP1 from the Belgian Grand Prix
Will team orders hamper McLaren, or will they shine in Spa?
The Grand Prix in Budapest last weekend was dominated by McLaren, earning a fantastic 1-2 and outlined themselves in their challenge for the constructors' championship, and the drivers' championship with Norris. However, they will hope their pace and consistency are not dogged by their poor communication which almost cost them their perfect weekend. Team orders saw Norris give up P1 to Piastri after he led most of the race, but giving Norris the early pit stop meant he came out in the lead ahead of his teammate. It looked like Norris would not give the position back after being ordered to do so as the gap between the two drivers increased, but he did with just three laps to go. Can McLaren improve on their almost faultless performance in the Belgian forest?
Verstappen will be hoping that is not the case. The Dutchman and Red Bull have not been at their dominant best, but they will want to enter the summer break on the front foot, hoping to hold on to their lead in both the drivers' and constructors' standings. Will Verstappen's expletive team radio messages stop this weekend after coming under some criticism for them too? The Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will also be looking to get back to winning ways after taking wins in Austria and Silverstone. Can the Silver Arrows find the top step of the podium once more?