Formula One is on track to meet its ambitious goal of becoming carbon net zero by 2030, according to its newly released 2025 Sustainability Update. At the end of 2024, the study confirmed a 26% reduction in its carbon emissions compared to its 2018 baseline, which is more than halfway to its goal of a 50% reduction by 2030. Since 2018, the sport has expanded the calendar from 21 to 24 races, which is something that would have caused emissions to increase by 10% without intervention. The biggest carbon savings have been made in the sport’s factories and facilities, which have been transitioned to renewable energy sources. Travel and logistics have also recorded notable improvements, with more work being done remotely and investments being made in shipping procedures. Additional improvements are expected to come as the sport continues to invest in sustainability, including the introduction of sustainable fuel for cars in 2026.
Heading into the first race weekend without Christian Horner at the helm of the Red Bull team, some high-profile members of the team broke their silence about Horner’s departure. Four-time World Champion Max Verstappen insisted that the decision was not driven by either of the drivers, citing poor performance as a potential reason for the exit. “I think the last one-and-a-half years have not gone how we would have liked, and management decided they wanted to see a shift in a different direction, probably, and then everyone else, of course, has to agree to that and look forward,” he explained ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko echoed similar sentiments in interviews with the media, saying that although Horner’s exit was due to “various factors”, performance was the largest.
Max Verstappen and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff both shrugged off rumours that the two had met recently to discuss bringing the four-time champ to Mercedes. The rumours were sparked primarily by plane trackers who noted that both F1 figures visited Sardinia at the same time. Both parties insist it was only a coincidence that they both had a holiday on the island. Verstappen went further, shutting down rumours that he is planning to leave Red Bull. “Life is unpredictable and, in general, I am happy with where I am at,” he explained. “The target was that when I signed my deal, I would drive here until the end of my career.”
Oscar Piastri started the Belgian Grand Prix weekend off strong, topping the sole free practice session of the weekend on Friday. The teams were eager to get their cars on the circuit to perfect their setups ahead of sprint qualifying. Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll both suffered with mechanical issues on their cars in the early stages, but were able to return after quick trips to the garage. Max Verstappen set the pace in the opening portion of the session in his newly upgraded Red Bull. This changed when the field began running qualifying simulations, bumping Piastri ahead of the Dutchman by a considerable margin. Lando Norris finished the session in P3, but could not get to within half a second of his teammate.
The top three in practice would remain unchanged at the end of sprint qualifying, with Oscar Piastri taking the pole. Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton were both shockingly eliminated in the first sprint qualifying session, with both drivers spinning on their flying laps. Piastri was lucky to advance to SQ3 after nearly getting beaten out by Liam Lawson in SQ2. The McLaren driver set a time that was only 0.041s faster. Haas had an excellent showing in SQ3, putting Esteban Ocon in P5 and Oliver Bearman in P7 for the sprint race on Saturday morning.
Max Verstappen wound up in the lead by the end of the 15-lap sprint, finishing ahead of both McLarens. Oscar Piastri had an excellent start from pole position. Verstappen spun his wheels on the exit of the first corner, dropping him behind the lead McLaren. But that turned out to be an advantage for the Dutchman, who used the slipstream down the long Kemmel Straight to take the lead. Lando Norris was similarly overtaken by Charles Leclerc, but retook the position a few laps later when DRS was enabled. The McLaren teammates attempted to chase down Verstappen to challenge for the lead, but neither driver could make any inroads. Click here to read our summary of the sprint race.
It was a battle between the McLaren duo in qualifying, and Lando Norris would best his teammate to take pole position. There was early drama in Q1 when Nico Hulkenberg and Lance Stroll collided in the pit lane, while Fernando Alonso complained about a near collision with Oliver Bearman. There was further drama late in the session when Lewis Hamilton’s lap time was deleted for track limits, dropping him from P7 to P16 and out of the session. Norris led Q1, but his teammate managed to rebound in Q2 to take the lead. Norris returned to the top at the end of Q3 to take pole position ahead of Piastri, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen. Alex Albon had an impressive session in P5 ahead of George Russell and Yuki Tsunoda, who chalked up his best qualifying result since making the move to Red Bull.
Oscar Piastri made up for losing the sprint race by winning the main event on Sunday. The race start was delayed by nearly an hour and a half due to rainy conditions. When the race finally started, polesitter Lando Norris appeared to lack confidence, allowing Piastri to overtake him on the opening lap. As the laps ticked on, the track began to dry rapidly, prompting Lewis Hamilton to make the switch to slicks. Other drivers followed, taking the medium tyres. Norris’ side of the McLaren garage took a gamble on the hard tyres, anticipating the medium runners would lose tyre life at the end of the race. This was nearly the case, as Norris closed an eight-second gap down to three seconds in the closing laps, but there was not enough time for the Brit to challenge for the lead. Click here to read our full summary of the Belgian Grand Prix.
Only one race stands between the drivers and a much-deserved summer break: the Hungarian Grand Prix. The action will resume around the Hungaroring next weekend, with the race set for August 3.
It can be challenging for even the most avid fans to keep up with the fast-paced world of Formula One. The Weekly F1 Recap is a series published each Monday that breaks down the action, both on and off the circuit, into bit-sized pieces. It's perfect for casual and experienced fans alike.
