Belgian Grand Prix: How to Follow the Action on the BBC

The 2026 Formula 1 season continues with its tenth round at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the Belgian Grand Prix, taking place from July 17-19. Following a dramatic British Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli’s lead in the drivers’ championship has been trimmed to 25 points over his Mercedes teammate George Russell. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari secured victory at Silverstone, with Russell and Lewis Hamilton completing the podium.

The 44-lap race at Spa is scheduled to begin at 14:00 BST on Sunday, July 19.

BBC Broadcast Schedule

Fans can follow the entire race weekend through various BBC platforms. Live commentary will be available across BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, Sports Extra 2, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app. Listeners can also access broadcasts by asking smart speakers to “play Sports Extra” or “play Sports Extra 2.”

The Chequered Flag podcast will also be releasing episodes throughout the weekend, offering in-depth analysis and insights. For the first time this year, a post-race show for each Grand Prix will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and YouTube.

Key Broadcast Times (all times BST):

Friday, July 17
First practice: 12:30-13:30
Second practice: 16:00-17:00

Saturday, July 18
Third practice: 11:30-12:30
Qualifying: 15:00-16:00

Sunday, July 19
Race: 14:00

Weather Forecast

Belgium could experience its first wet weekend of the season, with rain forecast across all three days of track action. Friday and Saturday are expected to see light rain and a gentle breeze, with temperatures ranging between 23C to 25C. There is a 65% chance of rain for Saturday’s qualifying session, which begins at 4pm local time.

For Sunday’s race, which starts at 3pm local time, drizzle is forecast in the morning, but the sun is expected to appear during the Grand Prix. Temperatures are predicted to reach a high of 23C.

Championship Standings Update

The recent British Grand Prix saw Charles Leclerc claim victory, narrowing the gap at the top of the drivers’ championship. Kimi Antonelli, who failed to score points in the main race, now holds a 25-point advantage over his Mercedes teammate George Russell. The performances at Silverstone have set the stage for an intriguing battle as the season progresses towards Spa.

Key facts

This information is crucial for Formula 1 fans looking to follow the Belgian Grand Prix, ensuring they don’t miss any of the action from one of the sport’s most challenging circuits. The detailed broadcast schedule and weather outlook provide fans with everything they need to plan their race weekend.

Source: How to follow Belgian Grand Prix on the BBC, https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/belgian-grand-prix-bbc-063455109.html