2024 Belgian Grand Prix preview: timings, how to watch, and more

Hot Topics ahead of the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix

On paper, McLaren has only grown stronger as the season has progressed, with one of its drivers standing on the podium consecutively for the last nine races, a run dating back to the Chinese Grand Prix in April. And now the Woking-based outfit have overtaken Ferrari to sit second in the constructors’ championship. 

Yet, the reality seems that the increased opportunities for success have brought with it a more tense relationship between teammates. Overshadowing Oscar Piastri’s first ever grand prix victory was the jeopardy of whether Lando Norris would follow team orders or not. He did, eventually, but McLaren’s strategy caused a situation that tested and potentially damaged team dynamics.

Belgium will be an opportunity to put on a united front, but Norris will no doubt think twice should team orders come into play again, considering that mathematically, he is still in contention for the drivers’ championship. The young Brit is currently 76 points behind Max Verstappen, and while of course it is a long shot, you can never say never. Especially considering the fact that Verstappen has failed to register a win in the last three races and continues to struggle with his ever-more temperamental Red Bull RB20.

Compared to the reigning champion’s total dominance in 2023, this season is a far more open field and F1 is all the better for it. No driver has won more than two races in a row, and there have been seven different race winners in the first 13 races, Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes each earning victories. And talking of unpredictability, nowhere fits that definition more than the Belgium Grand Prix – specifically the weather. Rain always adds an element of uncertainty, and the iconic Spa-Francorchamps track sets us up for what may well be one of the most exciting races of the season.

This is also the final grand prix before the summer break, where we should learn more about who will be racing where next year. Last week we learned that Kevin Magnussen is set to leave Haas at the end of the season, and several futures remain unclear. With seats remaining at RB, Alpine, Williams, and Mercedes, time will tell who will secure their spot for 2025.

When can I watch the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix?

Action at Spa-Francorchamps begins on Friday, with Free Practice 1 at 12:30 UK time (13:30 local time), followed by Free Practice 2 at 16:00 (17:00). Saturday starts off with Free Practice 3 at 11:30 (12:30) ahead of qualifying for the grand prix at 15:00 (16:00). Lights out for the Belgian Grand Prix is at 14:00 (15:00) on Sunday 28^th July.

How to watch the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix

Sky Sports retains exclusive rights to all live coverage of F1 in the UK. Every session of the Belgian Grand Prix will be shown live and uninterrupted on Sky Sports F1.

US viewers can catch all the action on ESPN, and Australian audiences can watch on Kayo Sports. The F1 TV Pro app will also provide coverage of every F1 session across the weekend to several countries the world over.

Which series are supporting in Belgium?

Both Formula 2 and Formula 3 will be competing in Hungary this weekend. In Budapest, it was Andrea Kimi Antonelli who followed up his sprint win at Silverstone with victory in the feature race. Kush Maini won the sprint race, though Isack Hadjar remains top of the standings. In F3, Nikita Bedrin claimed victory in the sprint race, while Nikola Tsolov took the chequered flag in the feature race. Gabriele Miní continues to lead the drivers’ championship, though his lead over Luke Browning has narrowed further to only four points.

F1 Academy, meanwhile, will be back in action in Zandvoort at the end of August.

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images