The weather is set to be a key factor in the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which is the venue for the Formula 1 race. The Circuit is known for its erratic weather, and this weekend is no exception, with rain expected to hit parts of Friday before gradually easing over the rest of the weekend.
The weather may make a big difference for the championship contenders Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in both qualifying and the race as the title battle moves into a critical stage.
Rain Expected Early in the Weekend at Belgian GP
According to Formula 1's official weather forecast, Friday is expected to be the wettest day of the weekend, with scattered showers likely during Free Practice. Dry spells are expected, but teams should be ready for some rain, which may restrict valuable set-up work before the Sprint and Grand Prix sessions.
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The weekend will be mild, but moderate to fresh winds may be another challenge. The long straights and high-speed corners of Spa are especially prone to crosswinds, where car balance and driver confidence are essential.
Weather conditions can change significantly throughout the 7.004-kilometer circuit as they do at Spa. One section of the track can be wet and another dry, which can lead to some tricky decisions on tyre strategy and pit-stop timing.
Dryer Weekend Could Favor Championship Contenders
The forecast improves after Friday. Forecasts indicate that running will be mostly dry on Saturday and Sunday, but with a small chance of isolated showers, as Spa is well known for its variable weather. Winds are also expected to be less choppy than on Friday, providing teams with a more stable platform for qualifying and the race.
A dry race would be good for Mercedes, who have been the dominant team in much of the 2026 season. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli is coming into Spa with a desire to put an end to a string of mixed fortunes and extend his 25-point advantage over teammate George Russell, while Lewis Hamilton is hoping Ferrari's recent revival can continue at one of his best circuits.
The weather is likely to be one of the main topics of discussion at the Belgian Grand Prix, as it was last year, with rain, wind and strategy all expected to play a role in the race.