Verstappen and Antonelli Lead F1 Belgian GP Practice Sessions

Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli were the fastest in the first two practice sessions for the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix on Friday.

In the first session, Verstappen clocked a lap of 1 minute 47.070 seconds, outpacing both Ferrari drivers: Lewis Hamilton by 0.145 seconds and Charles Leclerc by 0.207 seconds.

Antonelli, who was sixth in FP1, led the second session with a time of 1:45.944. He beat reigning world champion Lando Norris (McLaren) by 0.190 seconds, Verstappen by 0.472 seconds, and Hamilton by 0.747 seconds.

Alpine's Pierre Gasly crashed during FP2 but emerged without injury. Saturday will feature the third practice and qualifying, with the race on Sunday.

Norris will start ten places lower on the grid due to a battery change. After nine rounds, Antonelli leads the drivers' standings with 179 points, followed by George Russell (Mercedes) on 154 and Hamilton on 147. Leclerc has 108, Norris 97, Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 82, and Verstappen 76. In the constructors' championship, Mercedes (333) leads Ferrari (255), McLaren (179), and Red Bull (128).

The season was originally set for 24 rounds, but the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grands prix were canceled due to conflict in the Middle East. The season will conclude in Abu Dhabi in early December. Last year, Norris won his first world title, and McLaren clinched the constructors' crown.