Piastri fastest in sole Belgian GP practice

Formula One leader Oscar Piastri showed impressive speed in sole practice for the Belgian Grand Prix on Friday with Max Verstappen starting Red Bull's new era by denying champions McLaren the one-two.

Piastri was a hefty 0.404 quicker than four-times world champion Verstappen, whose team are racing without Christian Horner in charge for the first time since they entered the sport in 2005.

McLaren's Lando Norris was third on the timesheets, 0.504 off the pace and with work to do if he is to reduce Piastri's eight point lead.

With Belgium running to the sprint format, qualifying for Saturday's 100km race replaces the usual second Friday practice session.

Mercedes George Russell, who won last year before being stripped of victory for an underweight car, was fourth fastest with teammate Kimi Antonelli sixth and separating the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Canadian Lance Stroll was eighth for Aston Martin with teammate Fernando Alonso ninth and Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar completing the top 10 as his former boss Laurent Mekies started work as Horner's replacement.

Piastri has learnt from costly Silverstone penalty

Piastri says he has learnt from a costly British Grand Prix penalty and will not brake as hard when leading behind the Formula One safety car at restarts.

The championship frontrunner was handed a 10 second penalty at Silverstone this month for erratic braking before the restart when the safety car was about to return to the pits.

The penalty cost him the win, handing it to teammate Lando Norris, and trimmed his overall lead to eight points at the season's midpoint.

Stewards ruled the Australian had suddenly braked hard, forcing Red Bull's reigning champion Verstappen who was right behind him to take evasive action and momentarily overtake.