Belgian GP 2026: Dates, schedule, weather, UK start time and how to watch or stream the F1 race at Spa-Francorchamps live on Sky Sports | F1 News

The final double-header before Formula 1’s summer break begins with the Belgian Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports, on July 17-19.

It’s all to play for at Spa-Francorchamps after Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead was cut significantly at the British Grand Prix following misfortune at Silverstone.

Mercedes team-mate George Russell finished second to close within 25 points after nine rounds, while Lewis Hamilton remains seven points behind after gaining another podium as team-mate Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari’s second win in three races.

While it was more bad luck than any lack of pace that saw Antonelli’s 66-point deficit drop, the 19-year-old is under pressure to reassert himself in the title race.

There will also be plenty of attention on four-time world champion Max Verstappen, whose legions of Dutch fans have traveled to Belgium for the event.

Verstappen’s future will continue to be weighed down by criticism of Red Bull at Silverstone after a technical problem saw him crash for the second weekend in a row, with the Dutchman’s representatives holding talks with McLaren over a potential blockbuster switch.

Belgian GP circuit: Spa-Francorchamps track layout

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the longest track visited by F1 at 4.352 kilometers (7.004km) and one of the fastest with iconic corners such as Eau Rouge, Pouhon and Blanchimont.

Sector 1 is basically just a pin followed by a long flat section that goes through Eau Rouge, Raidillon and down the Kemmel Straight where there is a lot of passing.

The middle section is full of fast, flowing corners before the last part of the fence is very dependent on the speed of the straight line to the final stop, the Bus Stop, where the driver can throw off a flat tire by braking too late or too carefully.

Michael Schumacher holds the record for most Belgian GP wins with six victories at the event which has been a staple of the F1 calendar since 1983.

The weather at the Belgian GP Spa-Francorchamps

As always, the weather in Spa-Francorchamps is very difficult to predict as rain can come from anywhere and the nearby Ardennes Forest can keep the humidity in the area when it is wet.

The current forecast suggests that the heatwave that has swept across Europe could end just in time for the event, with a significant chance of rain predicted for all three track days.

Belgian GP 2026 dates, UK prime time and Sky Sports F1 live coverage

Thursday July 16
2pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
5pm: Paddock Uncut

Friday July 17th
8.50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Belgian GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
2pm: F3 Qualifying
2.30pm: Team Principals Press Conference
2.55pm: F2 Qualifying
3.30pm: Belgian GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Show

Saturday July 18
9am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Belgian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.15pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Belgian GP qualifying build-up*
3pm: BELGIAN GP QUALIFYING*

Sunday July 19
7.30am: F3 Feature Race
9am: F2 Feature Race
10.45am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Build-up to the Belgian GP: Sunday’s Grand Prix
2pm: BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
4pm: Belgian GP Reaction: Checked Flag

*Also on Sky Sports Main Event

How to watch or stream the Belgian Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland

Do you have Sky?

TV: Sky Customers can watch Sky Sports F1 from first practice on Friday morning until The Belgian Grand Prix is ​​on Sunday July 19 at 2pm

Application: Sky customers can also watch on The Sky Sports app – with the option to ride with any driver!

Don’t have Sky?

Stream: Non-Sky customers can stream action on the CURRENT Day or Month pass for any period

Live blog: Anyone on the road can follow coverage of the race weekend with our dedicated F1 blog

The best FREE images: Watch F1 highlights right from flag to flag in the Sky Sports app

How to watch the Belgian GP with the Sky Sports app

Sky Sports subscribers can:

1. Download or open the Sky Sports app
2. Head to the ‘View’ section at 12.30pm to build up, before lights out at 2pm on race day
3. Tap on the Sky Sports F1 or Sky Sports Main Event channel
4. Sign in with your Sky iD (*you’ll only need to do this once)

*Sky iD Help: How to get or create your own Sky ID

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Formula 1’s summer run continues with the Belgian Grand Prix at the prestigious Spa-Francorchamps on July 17-19, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports NOW – no contract, cancel anytime