© Vladimir RysBelgium Pre-Race ProgrammeAll the stats, times, tunes and drivers' thoughts ahead of round 12.
Belgium Pre-Race Programme© Red Bull Racing Honda
| DATE | LOCAL TIME | DISCIPLINE | SESSION | | Friday 27th August | Friday 27th August | Saturday 28th August | Saturday 28th August | Sunday 29th August |
| 11:30-12:30 | 15:00-16:00 | 12:00-13:00 | 15:00-16:00 | 15:00-17:00 |
| Formula 1 | Formula 1 | Formula 1 | Formula 1 | Formula 1 |
| First Practice | Second Practice | Third Practice | Qualifying | Race |
How was your summer break? Does it feel good to be back and heading straight into a triple header?
My summer break was good, it was nice to have a few weeks off to rest a bit and of course it was cool to spend some time on the jet skis, it’s a lot of fun being on the water! It feels good to be back, a triple header is a lot of races in a row but it’s the same for everyone and there are a lot of fun tracks coming up to look forward to.
This weekend we celebrate our 50th race with Honda – which race stands out the most to you?
These 50 races with Honda will always be special and well remembered when we look back.
These 50 races with Honda will always be special and well remembered when we look back. I think of course the first win with Honda will always be the most emotional memory during our time together and hopefully we can end this season on a high with them before they leave the sport. I have enjoyed working with Honda from the start. They have always been straight talking and delivered what we have expected. They spend a lot of time discussing everything with the Team and us as drivers which has been very important.
The Belgian Grand Prix is one of your ‘home’ races and Spa is one of your favourite tracks so how much are you looking forward to this weekend?
I am of course excited to go back to Spa, it’s my favourite track and it’s really cool to drive with so many high speed corners and elevation changes. I’m also looking forward to seeing all the fans who will be coming to support us and it will be cool to see so much orange in the grandstands again as they couldn’t be there last year. I also think it is a good place to re-set our championship fight and I’m well prepared and feeling good ahead of the weekend.
Max Arrives In Belgium© Getty Images
How was your summer break and did you manage to switch off from Formula One?
It was a good time to recharge, get some fresh air, and having two weeks in the same place is always nice! I managed to switch off completely from F1 which is important. both mentally and physically. Now I’m back, fully refreshed and it’s going to be a very intense second part of the season. It’s crazy to think in four months the season will be over.
You retired from the Hungarian GP so you haven’t raced in almost a month. How hungry are you to get back out on track?
I’m feeling more and more comfortable with the car, we’re taking the right steps forward.
I’m very hungry! Not just for Spa but for the second half of the season. I’m feeling more and more comfortable with the car, we’re taking the right steps forward and I think we’re going to have a strong end to the season.
How much fun is the Spa circuit to drive with this generation of Formula One car?
With these cars it’s a lot of fun to drive and a very fast track. The weather can be temperamental around Spa and because the circuit is so long it can be dry in some parts but wet in others which makes the conditions tricky to judge.
Checo Through The Trees© Getty Images
This weekend we celebrate our 50th race with Honda. What have they been like to work with?
Honda are so enthusiastic, you can see their passion for the sport and it’s nice to have people around you with that kind of energy. I’ve enjoyed working with them and it’s been a great experience so far so I hope we can repay them by winning this year's championship before they leave sport.
MaxMakesItSix-In-A-RowInSpa!
Max took his sixth podium finish in a row with a controlled drive to P3 at Spa-Francorchamps behind race winner Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas. Alex, meanwhile finished P6 after losing out in a late-race tussle with Renault’s Esteban Ocon.
Max On The Belgium Podium© Getty Images
