Belgian Grand Prix: F1 preview and beginning of end for Ricciardo at McLaren

All you need to know in the lead up to Sunday night’s Belgian Grand Prix (28 August) including news updates, drivers’ championship standings plus when and how to watch live on Kayo.

David Gavin

3 min read

September 1, 2022 - 6:18PM

Daniel Ricciardo’s 2022 season has gone from bad to worst. Picture: Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images

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Drivers and teams are back from their mid-season summer break and head to the famous Spa circuit to resume proceedings with Daniel Ricciardo beginning his farewell tour at McLaren.

As always, watch Sunday’s race live on Kayo and scroll down for the latest news with our very own CODE Sports’ Will Schofield on the ground in Belgium.

2022 Belgian Grand Prix

With nine Grand Prix to go, Max Verstappen returns from the mid-season break as a runaway leader in the driver’s championship standings heading Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 80 points.

His eight Grand Prix wins means only a catastrophic series of results from herein could stop the Dutchman from defending his maiden title in 2021. Verstappen, 24, is chasing a third straight Grand Prix win, for the second time this season, on Sunday.

He is also the defending champion at Spa.

Verstappen on his way to victory at the last Grand Prix in Hungary after winning in France a week earlier. Picture: Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images

During the first week of that mid-season break, it was two Australian drivers occupying the F1 headlines ultimately leading to Ricciardo’s departure at McLaren confirmed on Wednesday.

Promising young gun Oscar Piastri, 21, issued an incredible statement in early August defying his current F1 team Alpine announcement – where he has been a reserve driver since 2021 – that the Australian will drive for them in 2023.

I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) August 2, 2022

It followed days of speculation that his manager and former F1 driver Mark Webber had negotiated him a deal to join McLaren effectively removing fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo from his seat.

Despite speculation that Australian rookie Oscar Piastri would replace Ricciardo, McLaren said on Wednesday that they would confirm their 2023 lineup “in due course”.

pic.twitter.com/ZrPvJy7tB5
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) August 24, 2022

Will Schofield has captured the drivers’ reaction to the Ricciardo news in Spa.

Ricciardo’s best finish of just sixth was way back in April at the Australian Grand Prix and has had only four top 10 finishes from his 13 races in the McLaren this year. The 33-year-old has scored just four points in the past five grand prix.

The great Michael Schumacher holds the record of most race wins in Belgium with six, closely followed by the legendary Ayrton Senna.

Michael Schumacher celebrating victory at Spa in 2002. Picture: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

What time is qualifying and the race?

Times for qualifying and Sunday night’s race below:

Practice 1: 10pm (AEST), 9.30pm (ACST) and 8pm (AWST) on Friday 26 August.

Practice 2: 1am (AEST) and 12.30am (ACST) on Saturday 27 August. 11pm (AWST), Friday 26 August.

Practice 3: 9pm (AEST), 8.30pm (ACST) and 7pm (AWST) on Saturday 27 August.

Qualifying: 12am (AEST), Sunday 28 August. 11.30pm (ACST) and 10pm (AWST) on Saturday 27 August.

Race: 11pm (AEST), 10.30pm (ACST) and 9pm (AWST) on Sunday 28 August.

Where is the Belgian Grand Prix being held?

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.

How do I watch the race?

The Belgian Grand Prix – plus practice and qualifying – will be broadcast live on Kayo as part of their F1 coverage. Not only do they show every race LIVE, but if you miss the main event you can catch up with Kayo Minis.