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Breathtaking, backbreaking and bellied by challenges; few race tracks have commanded such massive interest among fans as the famous Spa Francorchamps, home to the eternally-loved Belgian Grand Prix. The track that was on the maiden season of Formula 1 still packs a punch and commands a loyal fan base that extends well beyond the European mainland. This time around, the Belgian Grand Prix, that's witnessed tense, thrilling and even utterly unpredictable races as seen back in the day will possibly witness another racing fiesta in what will be a highly watchable race until the end.
Should rain fall at a reasonable pace, we could get to see yet another safety car-infested contest and that will likely produce a belter of a contest from the flags to finish line. That being said, let us make time for the leading predictions for the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix.
Only one McLaren will finish on the podium
While the top honours during qualifying still belonged to McLaren, with Lando Norris, in such an impressive form following his Great Britian win, claiming pole on Sunday, the race result will not likely see both McLarens on the podium.
Given their imperious pace and stellar consistency, anything other than a top 3 finish for both McLarens - the MCL 39 is purely reasonable and has become such a routine outing. Such as been their dominance up to this point in 2025.
But at Spa Francorchamps, in a possibly rain-fuelled contest, the end result will only favour one McLaren and possibly Oscar Piastri will be the one who will miss out on standings on the fabled podium nestled amid the Ardennes.
It will be a Norris-dominated show with Verstappen outclassing Norris' fighting Australian teammate.
A weekend to forget for Aston Martin
Aston Martin's star driver, the legendary Fernando Alonso, much like Lance Stroll, struggled for grip and amid the rising track temperatures, failed to find the sweet spot of the track during qualifying. Resultantly, while Alonso, who has so much of racing experience in Belgium really found it hard to get going and would be relegated to P19, his teammate, Stroll too, struggled to pack a punch. The Canadian Aston Martin driver found himself to the very back on the grid.
On Sunday, and possibly contesting amid rains, life won't get any easier for the dyanmic duo of Aston Martin and the two will find it really hard to fight it out for a decent spot in the midfield.
One's afraid to confess that unless a miracle notwithstanding, both drivers will struggle to get going and will likely finish outside points.
After a seventh in Austria, followed by a ninth in Great Britain, Fernando Alonso will possibly contest in a race to forget.
Charles Leclerc with a drive to remember
There's only a certain limit to which a Ferrari can be pushed and made to accomplish. Yesterday, during qualifying, it appeared as though Leclerc, despite all sorts of driverability issues with his SF 25, pushed the machine beyond its limit.
In the dying moments of Q3, not only did the famed Monegasque outperform Max Verstappen, of all drivers, he positioned his Ferrari firmly on third, perhaps punching above his weight to achieve a really respectable qualifying position.
On race day, he will find it hard to negotiate with the race pace of what could possibly be a fast-catching Red Bull of Verstappen (the Dutchman beginning from P4), but Leclerc will do all he can in his might to stay clear. All will eventually boil down to how Ferrari manage his race strategy to achieve what seems a valiant and very much possible podium finish.
Both Red Bulls will finish in top ten
Where it stands at the moment, then both Red Bull drivers, Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda are in the top ten right at the start of the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix. While Verstappen, who dominated the three previous rounds here, begins his Spa challenge from fourth on the grid, the real surprise at the conclusion of qualifying on Saturday was Red Bull's Japanese driver, Tsunoda.
The Sagamihara-born begins his 44-lap challenge on Sunday from 7th on the grid. It was the first time since Q3 at Miami that Yuki Tsunoda managed to make it to Q3.
But on race-day, both Verstappen and Tsunoda will finish in points, driving their respective Red Bulls to a comfortable and respectable race finish when it'll most matter.
