Auto Racing

It will be hard for motorsports fans to find something to watch this weekend as NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula 1 are all on break. NASCAR has been off since July 21 and will return in Richmond on Aug. 11. IndyCar also started its break last week and returns to the track outside St. Louis on Aug. 18. Formula 1 raced in the Belgian Grand Prix this past Sunday with Lewis Hamilton earning the victory after his Mercedes teammate was disqualified for an underweight car. The series is off until the Dutch Grand Prix on Aug. 25.

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has agreed on a two-year deal to join Formula One rival Williams. The team says, "Carlos will race alongside Alex Albon for Williams Racing for 2025 and into the new F1 regulations era as the formidable pairing look to spearhead the team’s mission to return to the front of the grid.” Spanish driver Sainz has achieved three race victories, 23 podiums, more than 1,100 career points and is fifth in the current standings.

Max Verstappen is still on pace for a fourth consecutive Formula One world title. But no longer is it a foregone conclusion that Verstappen will dominate the competition. Much improved McLaren and Mercedes cars have invigorated the season and made race results unpredictable for the first time since Verstappen became the motorsport's main force. Verstappen is now four races without a win before F1 enters its summer break. The season restarts at the Dutch GP on Aug. 25.

Lewis Hamilton has been promoted to first place at the Belgian Grand Prix after race officials disqualified his Mercedes teammate George Russell for driving an underweight car. Russell crossed the line first Sunday after making only one pit stop, finishing just ahead of Hamilton. Russell celebrated the win in Spa but race officials found that his car weighed in below the established limits and ruled to disqualify his result. Russell said it was “heartbreaking.” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said “We have clearly made a mistake and need to ensure we learn from it." Hamilton took his record haul to 105 F1 career victories. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri moved up into second place. Pole-sitter Charles Leclerc of Ferrari completed the podium.

Charles Leclerc will start the Belgian Grand Prix from pole position after clocking the second best time in qualifying behind Max Verstappen, who faces a 10-place grid penalty for the race. Verstappen topped the time sheets in his Red Bull on Saturday on the rainy track in the forested hills of the Ardennes. But the Formula One leader will start Sunday’s race from 11th because of the penalty after Red Bull exceeded the allowed number of power units when they put a new engine into his car. Leclerc was next in his Ferrari, followed by Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez in third. Lewis Hamilton was fourth, followed by McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Max Verstappen dominated the Formula One season last year and it was no different at the Belgian Grand Prix where he collected an eighth straight victory. But one year later he is in what's looking like a real fight to maintain his quest for a fourth world title. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are flying in their McLarens and have erased the speed advantage of Verstappen's Red Bull. The McLaren pair topped practice in Spa on Friday. Verstappen also faces a 10-place grid penalty at Sunday's race for an engine change. The Dutchman has gone three races without a win for the first time since 2021.

Alpine team principal Bruno Famin says he is stepping down from his role by the end of next month. Famin will be in charge at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday. The season then goes on a summer break until the Dutch GP on Aug. 25. Famin will remain in charge of all other motorsports of Renault Group at its Viry-Chatillon engine facility. He also says Alpine is considering dropping its homemade Renault engine by 2026 and becoming a buyer of a power unit.