MAX VERSTAPPEN QUICKEST IN PRACTICE FOR THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX... BUT HIS HOPES OF VICTORY TAKE A HUGE DENT AS HIS 10-PLACE GRID PENALTY FOR CHANGING HIS ENGINE IS CONFIRMED

Max Verstappen was quickest in first practice ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix
But Red Bull suffered a major blow as he was handed a 10-place grid penalty
Lando Norris, second in the drivers' standings, could only manage eighth

Max Verstappen was back on his best behaviour and topped the timesheets in impressive fashion during first practice ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Verstappen finished more than half a second clear of McLaren's Oscar Piastri with Williams' Alex Albon third quickest.

It was an encouraging start to the weekend for the Dutchman, though the rest of the field will take comfort in the fact that the Red Bull driver will start Sunday's race in Spa with a 10-place grid penalty for changing his engine too many times this season.

There was even a marked change in tone over the team radio from Verstappen after he was criticised for his foul language at last weekend's race in Budapest.

At one stage the Dutchman and his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase - who copped the brunt of Verstappen's outburst in Budapest - could be heard apologising to one another.

Lando Norris, Verstappen's closest challenger for the world championship, finished eighth with Lewis Hamilton ahead of him in fifth.

There were early concerns for Hamilton and Mercedes, though, with the Brit complaining: ‘I've got to come in. The bouncing is really bad.’

2024-07-26T13:28:20Z dg43tfdfdgfd