Max Verstappen puts radio row behind him to go fastest in Belgian GP practice

Verstappen’s conduct is in the spotlight here at Formula One’s concluding round before the summer break following a string of X-rated outbursts at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

But the Dutch driver, who insisted on Thursday that he has no plans to adapt his radio approach, hit the top of the time charts, with a half-second advantage over McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Alex Albon finished an impressive third for Williams ahead of Mercedes pair George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. Lando Norris was eighth.

However, Verstappen will start Sunday’s race at Spa-Francorchamps a long way down the order after it was confirmed he will serve a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his number of allocated engine parts.

Verstappen started his bid for a fourth world championship in succession with seven victories from the opening 10 rounds. But the Dutchman’s season has unravelled in recent races with Red Bull no longer the force they were.

He arrives in the Ardennes winless from his last three races, and a week after he accused Red Bull’s strategy of being “s***”.

He also faces an uphill challenge to prevent his losing streak from extending to four races following the engine penalty which will leave him 11th on the grid even if he takes pole.

Verstappen’s sanction clears the way for Norris to reduce the 76-point deficit in the standings.

The McLaren driver, who might have won the last five races but for mistakes by driver and team, finished eighth in first practice, one second off Verstappen’s pace.

Piastri, who claimed his maiden win in Hungary after Norris was controversially ordered aside, was 0.531 sec back, with Albon seven tenths adrift.

Charles Leclerc finished sixth, 0.934 sec behind, with Sergio Perez, in desperate need of a strong performance as he fights to save his career, the only other driver within a second of Verstappen. He finished seventh. Second practice gets under way at 5pm local time (4pm BST).