2026 Belgian Grand Prix: Schedule, TV times and a championship fight tightening at Spa

Formula 1 returns to Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix with Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead slashed to just 25 points. George Russell and a resurgent Ferrari are closing fast as the season hits a critical final double-header before the summer break.

Why it matters:

The Belgian Grand Prix kicks off the final double-header before F1’s month-long summer shutdown, making it a pivotal weekend in the title race. Antonelli held a commanding 66-point lead after Monaco, but a retirement in Barcelona and a non-points finish at Silverstone have swung momentum toward his rivals. With Ferrari winning two of the last three races and Russell delivering consistent podiums, the championship fight has tightened at the worst possible time for the leader.

The details:

• Antonelli’s slump: His 66-point advantage after Monaco has melted to just 25 following a DNF in Barcelona and a non-points result at Silverstone. His sprint victory at the British GP remains his only win since his five-race streak ended.
• Russell’s charge: The Mercedes driver has been flawless during that same stretch, finishing second in Barcelona, winning in Austria, and placing second again at Silverstone to sit just 25 points adrift of his teammate.
• Ferrari’s resurgence: Lewis Hamilton won in Barcelona and Charles Leclerc triumphed at Silverstone, moving Hamilton to within 32 points of the lead and just seven behind Russell.
• Local flavor: Max Verstappen races at his second home as he chases a first win of 2026, while Lando Norris carries Belgian nationality through his mother. Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, returns as the defending Spa winner.

The big picture:

Spa-Francorchamps remains one of the calendar’s great tests at 7.004km, featuring dramatic elevation changes and iconic high-speed sections like Eau Rouge, Raidillon, and Blanchimont. Unpredictable weather is almost certain, adding another layer of jeopardy to an already tense title fight. Ferrari holds the record for most Belgian Grand Prix victories, though it has not won at Spa since Leclerc’s maiden triumph in 2019. Hamilton leads the current grid with five Spa wins.

What's next:

The weekend runs from July 17-19 (AEST), with the 44-lap grand prix starting at 11pm on Sunday. Australian viewers can watch live on Fox Sports 506 or stream via Kayo Sports and Foxtel Go. The field then heads straight to Hungary to complete the final double-header before the August summer break.