2026 Belgian Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Round 10 of the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship headed to the legendary Spa for the Formula 1 Moet & Chandon Belgian Grand Prix 2026.

Lee Parker

By Lee Parker
Published on July 18, 2026
Updated on July 19, 2026

Reviewed and checked by Mark Phelan

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Kimi Antonelli 2026 Belgian GP Winner
Kimi Antonelli 2026 Belgian Grand Prix Winner

The countdown to Formula 1’s summer break began at one of the sport’s most iconic venues as the Belgian Grand Prix launched the final double-header before the paddock paused for August. With only the Hungarian Grand Prix to follow before the month-long summer break, Belgium came at a defining opportunity for drivers and teams to build momentum before Formula 1 disappeared from the calendar for several weeks. Whether it was the fight for the world championships, the battle to establish themselves at the front under the sport’s all-new technical regulations, or the increasingly competitive midfield contest, Spa was sure to provide the kind of dramatic weekend that can alter the direction of an entire campaign.

The legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit, one of F1’s greatest challenges, combines breathtaking speed, relentless elevation changes and famously unpredictable weather. While the sweeping corners and long straights were as demanding as ever, the 2026 generation of Formula 1 cars faced the historic venue with a fresh set of engineering questions under the sport’s latest regulations, making this year’s Belgian Grand Prix one of the most intriguing editions in recent memory.

Race Guide

Season: 2026 F1 World Championship
Race date: Sunday, 19 July 2026
Race start time: 14:00 local time
Circuit: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Laps: 44
Circuit length: 7.004km
2025 winner: Oscar Piastri

Pole position
DriverKimi AntonelliMercedes
Time1:44.361
Fastest lap
DriverLando NorrisMcLaren
Time1:48.890 on lap 44
Podium
FirstKimi AntonelliMercedes
SecondCharles LeclercFerrari
ThirdMax VerstappenRed Bull Racing

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Stats

Few venues in world motorsport can match the reputation of Spa-Francorchamps. Nestled in the forests of the Ardennes, the Belgian circuit is Formula 1’s longest at 7.004km (4.352 miles) and remains one of its fastest, combining breathtaking speed with dramatic elevation changes and famously unpredictable weather. It’s not unusual for one part of the track to be completely dry while another is drenched by a passing shower, making strategy and tyre decisions as important as outright pace.

The lap begins with the tight La Source hairpin before drivers accelerate downhill through the legendary Eau Rouge and Raidillon complex and onto the Kemmel Straight, one of Formula 1’s best overtaking opportunities. The middle sector rewards commitment and precision through a series of fast, flowing corners, including Pouhon, while the final part of the circuit places a premium on straight-line speed before heavy braking into the Bus Stop chicane. It’s a layout that demands complete confidence from drivers, with even the smallest mistake capable of ruining an otherwise perfect lap.

First held in 1925, the Belgian Grand Prix is one of Formula 1’s most historic events and has featured on the world championship calendar almost continuously since 1983. Spa-Francorchamps itself was originally created in 1921 and has long been regarded as one of the sport’s ultimate challenges, hosting the European Grand Prix on six occasions and producing countless memorable races over the decades.

The circuit’s rich history is reflected in its roll of honour. Before the 2026 race, Michael Schumacher remained the most successful driver in Belgian Grand Prix history with six victories at Spa, while Ayrton Senna claimed five wins, including four in succession between 1988 and 1991. Jim Clark also enjoyed remarkable success in Belgium, winning four times in five years during the 1960s. Spa was also the scene of Formula 1’s shortest race in 2021, when torrential rain meant just a handful of laps were completed behind the Safety Car before the event was called after little more than three minutes of racing.

Weekend Schedule

DateSessionLocal Time
17 July 2026Free Practice 1 (FP1)1:30 pm – 2:30 pm local time
17 July 2026Free Practice 2 (FP2)5:00 pm – 6:00 pm local time
18 July 2026Free Practice 3 (FP3)12:30 pm – 1:30 pm local time
18 July 2026Qualifying4:00 pm – 5:00 pm local time
19 July 2026Race3:00 pm local time

Championship background

The fight for the championship headed to Spa-Francorchamps with the momentum beginning to shift after a dramatic 2026 British Grand Prix. Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli remained the championship leader, but another frustrating weekend at Silverstone had seen the advantage he once enjoyed cut significantly as his rivals continued to close in.

George Russell capitalised with a second-place finish to move within 25 points of his Mercedes team-mate after nine rounds, while Lewis Hamilton sat just seven points further back after another podium finish in P3. Ferrari, meanwhile, arrived in Belgium full of confidence after Charles Leclerc secured the Scuderia’s second victory in the previous three races of 2026, underlining just how competitive the battle at the front had become.

Although Antonelli’s reduced lead had been driven more by misfortune than a lack of outright pace, the 19-year-old now faced fresh pressure to stop the momentum of those behind him and reassert his authority at the top of the standings. With just the Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix remaining before Formula 1’s month-long summer break, Spa was a crucial opportunity to regain control before the championship paused for August.

There was also an intense focus on four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who would once again see huge support from his travelling ‘Orange Army’ at Spa, a circuit that has long felt like a second home thanks to its proximity to the Netherlands. Off the track, however, the spotlight remained firmly on his future. The Red Bull driver cut a frustrated figure after retiring from the British Grand Prix with a technical problem for the second consecutive weekend, while speculation over his long-term plans continued after reports that representatives from Verstappen’s camp held exploratory talks with McLaren over a potential blockbuster move.

Race entries

Aston Martin confirmed ahead of the weekend that their third driver, Jak Crawford, would take part in yet another Free Practice 1 outing for the team in Fernando Alonso‘s car. Crawford had already made two FP1 appearances in 2026 – having sat behind the wheel of Alonso’s car in Japan, before driving in place of Lance Stroll in Austria.

Other than Crawford, the lineup of drivers and teams remained the same as the 2026 season’s entry list, featuring no reserve drivers for the race weekend.

Tyre choices

Pirelli selected the C2, C3 and C4 compounds, providing teams with the middle trio of tyres from the 2026 range for one of Formula 1’s most demanding circuits. In particular, the famous climb from Eau Rouge through Raidillon before reaching the Kemmel Straight. Recent improvements to the track surface, including drainage grooves through this section and the full resurfacing carried out in recent years, were expected to aid performance in wet conditions, although grip levels at the start of the weekend were still likely to be relatively low before improving as more rubber was laid down following the Spa 24 Hours GT event.

2026 Belgian Grand Prix Pirelli Tyres
2026 Belgian Grand Prix Pirelli Tyres

As ever, Spa’s contrasting sectors presented teams with a difficult setup compromise. The opening sector rewarded low drag and maximum straight-line speed, the middle sector demanded confidence through a series of medium- and high-speed corners, while the final sector balanced flowing sections with heavy braking into the Bus Stop chicane. Under Formula 1’s 2026 technical regulations, teams were expected to benefit from the new aerodynamic package by running higher downforce levels through the technical sections while still maximising efficiency on the circuit’s long straights.

Weather conditions were also expected to play a major role in determining strategy. High track temperatures during the Spa 24 Hours suggested thermal degradation could become a significant factor if similar conditions returned for Formula 1, potentially making two-stop races more attractive than in previous years. Even so, the C2 and C3 compounds were widely anticipated to form the backbone of most race strategies, with durability likely to prove more valuable than outright pace over the 44-lap race.

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Free Practice

Max Verstappen laid down an early marker for Red Bull by topping the opening practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix with a 1:47.070, finishing just over a tenth of a second ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, while Charles Leclerc completed the top three. Ferrari emerged as Red Bull’s closest challenger throughout the hour, while Mercedes struggled to match the outright pace despite championship leader Kimi Antonelli finishing sixth after an eventful session that included a near-miss with Carlos Sainz. Isack Hadjar impressed in fourth despite carrying a 20-place grid penalty; Oscar Piastri recovered to fifth before suffering a late hydraulic issue.

Kimi Antonelli bounced back to top the second practice session with a 1:45.944, finishing 0.190s clear of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in a disrupted hour at Spa-Francorchamps. The Mercedes driver led much of the session, which was interrupted by two red flags after gravel was dragged onto the circuit and Pierre Gasly suffered a late crash. Ferrari remained firmly in contention with Lewis Hamilton fourth, while Isack Hadjar continued an impressive Friday in fifth despite his looming grid penalty and Oscar Piastri recovered from an early hydraulic issue to finish sixth.

Come Saturday, Kimi Antonelli completed practice with the fastest time in FP3 with a 1:45.990, finishing ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Mercedes’ championship leader carried his impressive Friday form into the final session, while Ferrari’s preparations for qualifying suffered a major setback after Lewis Hamilton crashed at Turn 13 in the closing moments. Elsewhere, George Russell struggled for pace, Isack Hadjar endured a disrupted session before recovering to 10th.

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Free Practice 1 Classification

2026 Belgian Grand Prix FP1, 17 July 2026

Pos.No.DriverTeamTime / GapLaps
13Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing1:47.07024
244Lewis HamiltonFerrari+0.145s22
316Charles LeclercFerrari+0.207s22
46Isack HadjarRed Bull Racing+0.252s23
581Oscar PiastriMcLaren+0.452s21
612Kimi AntonelliMercedes+0.533s23
71Lando NorrisMcLaren+0.861s19
863George RussellMercedes+0.889s22
941Arvid LindbladRacing Bulls+1.164s24
105Gabriel BortoletoAudi+1.336s18
1130Liam LawsonRacing Bulls+1.362s24
1227Nico HulkenbergAudi+1.892s23
1387Oliver BearmanHaas F1 Team+1.940s21
1423Alexander AlbonWilliams+2.267s24
1543Franco ColapintoAlpine+2.333s23
1631Esteban OconHaas F1 Team+2.379s21
1710Pierre GaslyAlpine+2.642s23
1877Valtteri BottasCadillac+2.769s21
1911Sergio PerezCadillac+3.156s22
2055Carlos SainzWilliams+3.792s25
2118Lance StrollAston Martin+5.738s19
2234Jak CrawfordAston Martin+6.129s22

Free Practice 2 Classification

2026 Belgian Grand Prix FP2, 17 July 2026

Pos.No.DriverTeamTime / GapLaps
112Kimi AntonelliMercedes1:45.94418
21Lando NorrisMcLaren+0.190s18
33Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing+0.472s21
444Lewis HamiltonFerrari+0.747s16
56Isack HadjarRed Bull Racing+0.770s20
681Oscar PiastriMcLaren+0.982s11
743Franco ColapintoAlpine+1.203s20
863George RussellMercedes+1.285s20
941Arvid LindbladRacing Bulls+1.350s20
1030Liam LawsonRacing Bulls+1.490s16
1116Charles LeclercFerrari+1.524s18
1287Oliver BearmanHaas F1 Team+1.848s16
135Gabriel BortoletoAudi+2.008s17
1431Esteban OconHaas F1 Team+2.014s19
1523Alexander AlbonWilliams+2.075s19
1655Carlos SainzWilliams+2.312s19
1727Nico HulkenbergAudi+2.389s16
1810Pierre GaslyAlpine+3.011s15
1977Valtteri BottasCadillac+3.255s19
2011Sergio PerezCadillac+3.652s20
2118Lance StrollAston Martin+5.187s17
2214Fernando AlonsoAston Martin+5.474s19

Free Practice 3 Classification

2026 Belgian Grand Prix FP3, 18 July 2026

Pos.No.DriverTeamTime / GapLaps
112Kimi AntonelliMercedes1:45.99013
21Lando NorrisMcLaren+0.139s21
33Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing+0.148s14
463George RussellMercedes+0.367s12
544Lewis HamiltonFerrari+0.392s17
616Charles LeclercFerrari+0.760s17
781Oscar PiastriMcLaren+0.795s20
827Nico HulkenbergAudi+0.934s20
95Gabriel BortoletoAudi+1.059s18
106Isack HadjarRed Bull Racing+1.106s19
1141Arvid LindbladRacing Bulls+1.186s23
1230Liam LawsonRacing Bulls+1.700s23
1343Franco ColapintoAlpine+1.914s20
1487Oliver BearmanHaas F1 Team+1.930s23
1510Pierre GaslyAlpine+1.959s21
1623Alexander AlbonWilliams+2.000s19
1777Valtteri BottasCadillac+2.654s22
1855Carlos SainzWilliams+2.702s20
1931Esteban OconHaas F1 Team+2.740s22
2011Sergio PerezCadillac+3.000s21
2114Fernando AlonsoAston Martin+4.165s17
2218Lance StrollAston Martin+4.641s15

Qualifying

Kimi Antonelli claimed his sixth pole position of the 2026 season with a stunning final lap of 1:44.361 to secure top spot for the Belgian Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver delivered when it mattered most, finishing three tenths clear of Max Verstappen, while Lando Norris completed the top three after initially leading the way in Q3. George Russell qualified fourth ahead of Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, with the top six covered by just over half a second.

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Grid penalties would significantly reshape Sunday’s starting order. Norris dropped 10 places for exceeding his power unit allocation, while Isack Hadjar fell to the back of the grid after a 20-place penalty despite qualifying 10th. Liam Lawson narrowly missed out on Q3 by just 0.038s, Nico Hülkenberg’s qualifying ended early following a hydraulic issue, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll would also take substantial grid penalties.

Qualifying Classification

2026 Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying, 18 July 2026

Pos.No.DriverTeamQ1Q2Q3Laps
112Kimi AntonelliMercedes1:46.3041:45.1421:44.36115
23Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing1:45.9301:45.5891:44.67812
31Lando NorrisMcLaren1:45.8651:45.4541:44.80111
463George RussellMercedes1:46.1851:45.6891:44.86918
516Charles LeclercFerrari1:46.2781:45.3971:44.89318
644Lewis HamiltonFerrari1:46.1241:45.5431:44.89515
781Oscar PiastriMcLaren1:46.4331:45.6711:45.01617
841Arvid LindbladRacing Bulls1:46.1911:45.6291:45.14318
95Gabriel BortoletoAudi1:46.6091:46.0821:45.62818
106Isack HadjarRed Bull Racing1:46.0621:45.823DNF13
1130Liam LawsonRacing Bulls1:46.5011:46.12012
1210Pierre GaslyAlpine1:46.6791:46.33112
1343Franco ColapintoAlpine1:46.7951:46.39212
1427Nico HulkenbergAudi1:46.8931:46.67112
1555Carlos SainzWilliams1:47.0801:46.77712
1687Oliver BearmanHaas F1 Team1:47.1131:46.77912
1723Alexander AlbonWilliams1:47.1206
1831Esteban OconHaas F1 Team1:47.8016
1977Valtteri BottasCadillac1:47.8238
2011Sergio PerezCadillac1:47.9718
2114Fernando AlonsoAston Martin1:50.0026
2218Lance StrollAston Martin1:50.1778

What happened in the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix?

Kimi Antonelli strengthened his grip on the 2026 F1 World Championship with a hard-fought victory in an action-packed race, overcoming early pressure from Max Verstappen before fending off a determined late challenge from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The Mercedes driver converted pole position into his sixth victory of the season at Spa-Francorchamps, while team-mate George Russell’s race ended almost before it had begun after a first-lap collision dramatically altered the championship picture.

Antonelli crossed the finish line 1.952 seconds clear of Leclerc after controlling much of the 44-lap Grand Prix, with Verstappen completing the podium in third to claim his third top-three finish of the year. Although the Italian briefly lost the lead during the opening lap, he quickly regained control of the race and never relinquished it again, surviving both a Safety Car restart and sustained late pressure from Ferrari to end a run without victory stretching back to the Monaco Grand Prix.

Verstappen made a sensational launch from the front row and immediately seized the initiative through the iconic Eau Rouge and Raidillon sequence, sweeping past Antonelli on the opening lap in one of the race’s defining moments. However, Red Bull’s advantage proved short-lived. Antonelli wasted little time fighting back, reclaiming the lead before Verstappen could establish any meaningful gap at the front of the field.

Behind the leaders, the race was thrown into early drama as Mercedes suffered a significant setback in both the Constructors’ Championship and the Drivers’ title fight.

Russell lost ground to both Ferraris during the opening exchanges before making contact with Lewis Hamilton. The collision pitched the Mercedes into the gravel, ending Russell’s race almost immediately and triggering an early retirement with potentially major consequences for his championship aspirations.

Hamilton’s afternoon remained under scrutiny after the incident. The Ferrari driver received a five-second time penalty for causing the collision and later faced an additional post-race investigation following an alleged unsafe release during his pit stop, complicating what otherwise proved to be another competitive outing for the Scuderia.

At the front, Antonelli managed every challenge thrown his way. Following the Safety Car period, the Italian controlled the restart perfectly before gradually rebuilding his advantage, although Leclerc ensured victory was never entirely comfortable. Ferrari’s race winner from two of the previous three Grands Prix steadily reduced the deficit during the closing stages, but Antonelli responded whenever required to preserve his lead and secure another crucial triumph.

Leclerc ultimately settled for second after falling just short of consecutive victories, while Verstappen completed the podium after a largely lonely race once the early battle for the lead had subsided. Hamilton recovered well despite his time penalty to finish fourth, limiting the damage after his eventful afternoon, with Oscar Piastri bringing home valuable points for McLaren in fifth.

One of the standout performances came from Isack Hadjar. After starting from the back of the grid following his 20-place penalty, the Red Bull driver produced an outstanding recovery drive to finish sixth, overtaking throughout the race to secure one of the strongest results of his Formula 1 career.

Norris also enjoyed an impressive recovery after beginning only 13th because of his own grid penalty. The McLaren driver climbed through the field to seventh, salvaging valuable championship points after a difficult qualifying result had left him with significant work to do on race day.

Audi continued its encouraging weekend with Gabriel Bortoleto taking eighth place, while Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad once again impressed by adding another points finish in ninth. Franco Colapinto completed the top 10 after a composed drive that ensured Alpine ended the afternoon with a valuable championship point.

Just outside the points, an intense battle developed over the final top-10 position during the closing laps. Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson and Nico Hülkenberg fought throughout the final stint but ultimately finished narrowly outside the scoring positions, while Haas driver Ollie Bearman crossed the line a little further behind in 14th.

Williams endured another difficult afternoon, with Alex Albon finishing 15th ahead of team-mate Carlos Sainz in 16th. Esteban Ocon followed in 17th, while Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso completed the list of classified finishers.

Several drivers failed to reach the chequered flag. Russell’s first-lap retirement proved the most significant from a championship perspective, while Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll were both forced out with mechanical issues, leaving Bottas and Alonso as the only finishers for Cadillac and Aston Martin, respectively.

Ultimately, however, the day belonged to Antonelli. The Mercedes driver responded emphatically after recent setbacks by converting pole position into victory, extending his championship advantage with a composed and mature display around one of Formula 1’s greatest circuits. With the final race before the summer break now looming in Hungary, Antonelli headed to Budapest carrying renewed momentum and an increasingly commanding position in the battle for the 2026 world title.

2026 Belgian Grand Prix race results

The 2026 Belgian Grand Prix was held on Sunday, 18th July at 3:00 pm local time.

Pos.No.DriverTeamLapsTime / RetiredPts.
112Kimi AntonelliMercedes4401:24:4225
216Charles LeclercFerrari44+1.952s18
33Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing44+11.586s15
444Lewis HamiltonFerrari44+17.245s12
581Oscar PiastriMcLaren44+18.988s10
66Isack HadjarRed Bull Racing44+23.307s8
71Lando NorrisMcLaren44+24.014s6
85Gabriel BortoletoAudi44+49.140s4
941Arvid LindbladRacing Bulls44+50.406s2
1043Franco ColapintoAlpine44+76.037s1
1110Pierre GaslyAlpine44+76.991s0
1230Liam LawsonRacing Bulls44+77.523s0
1327Nico HulkenbergAudi44+78.348s0
1487Oliver BearmanHaas F1 Team44+94.465s0
1523Alexander AlbonWilliams44+104.684s0
1655Carlos SainzWilliams44+105.856s0
1731Esteban OconHaas F1 Team44+110.925s0
1877Valtteri BottasCadillac43+1 lap0
1914Fernando AlonsoAston Martin42+2 laps0
NC18Lance StrollAston Martin25DNF0
NC11Sergio PerezCadillac13DNF0
NC63George RussellMercedes0DNF0

2026 Belgian Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.No.DriverTeamLapTime of DayTimeAvg. Speed
11Lando NorrisMcLaren4416:28:581:48.890231.558
212Kimi AntonelliMercedes4116:23:051:49.098231.116
36Isack HadjarRed Bull Racing4416:28:571:49.298230.694
416Charles LeclercFerrari2315:50:071:49.333230.620
544Lewis HamiltonFerrari3316:08:401:49.454230.365
681Oscar PiastriMcLaren2315:50:141:49.562230.138
73Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing2315:50:131:49.618230.020
85Gabriel BortoletoAudi2215:48:411:50.334228.527
927Nico HulkenbergAudi4116:24:181:50.503228.178
1041Arvid LindbladRacing Bulls2315:50:351:50.536228.110
1130Liam LawsonRacing Bulls4416:29:521:51.075227.003
1210Pierre GaslyAlpine3916:20:341:51.101226.950
1387Oliver BearmanHaas F1 Team2215:49:061:51.109226.933
1443Franco ColapintoAlpine4216:26:071:51.162226.825
1555Carlos SainzWilliams2415:52:581:51.363226.416
1623Alexander AlbonWilliams2115:47:101:51.894225.341
1731Esteban OconHaas F1 Team4416:30:251:51.900225.329
1877Valtteri BottasCadillac3616:14:301:52.011225.106
1914Fernando AlonsoAston Martin3516:13:231:52.948223.239
2011Sergio PerezCadillac1015:25:421:53.520222.114
2118Lance StrollAston Martin2115:47:581:53.980221.217

2026 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings for Drivers’ and Teams after the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix.

2026 Post-Race F1 Drivers’ Championship Standings

POSDriverNationalityCarPTS
1Kimi AntonelliITAMercedes204
2Lewis HamiltonGBRFerrari159
3George RussellGBRMercedes154
4Charles LeclercMONFerrari126
5Lando NorrisGBRMcLaren103
6Oscar PiastriAUSMcLaren92
7Max VerstappenNEDRed Bull Racing91
8Isack HadjarFRARed Bull Racing60
9Pierre GaslyFRAAlpine42
10Liam LawsonNZLRacing Bulls39
11Arvid LindbladGBRRacing Bulls22
12Franco ColapintoARGAlpine19
13Oliver BearmanGBRHaas F1 Team18
14Gabriel BortoletoBRAAudi10
15Carlos SainzESPWilliams6
16Alexander AlbonTHAWilliams5
17Esteban OconFRAHaas F1 Team3
18Fernando AlonsoESPAston Martin1
19Nico HulkenbergGERAudi0
20Valtteri BottasFINCadillac0
21Sergio PerezMEXCadillac0
22Lance StrollCANAston Martin0

2026 Post-Race F1 Constructors’ Championship Standings

POSCarPTS
1Mercedes358
2Ferrari285
3McLaren195
4Red Bull Racing151
5Alpine61
6Racing Bulls61
7Haas F1 Team21
8Williams11
9Audi10
10Aston Martin1
11Cadillac0

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Lee Parker

Staff Writer

Lee Parker

Lee is our staff writer specialising in anything technical within Formula 1 from aerodynamics to engines. Lee writes most of our F1 guides for beginners and experienced fans as well as our F1 on this day posts having followed the sport since 1991, researching and understanding how teams build the ultimate machines. Like everyone else on the team he listens to podcasts about F1 and enjoys reading biographies of former drivers.