F1 LIVE: Follow the Belgian Grand Prix FP1 session live from Spa!

The build-up to the iconic race through the Ardennes Forest has been nothing short of fascinating, with several major storylines dominating the headlines ahead of the weekend. Chief among them has been the future of Max Verstappen and whether the reigning world champion will remain with Red Bull Racing beyond this season.

While Verstappen has remained characteristically tight-lipped over his future, recent developments have suggested the likelihood of him staying with the Milton Keynes-based team has increased. This weekend at Spa could do even more to reinforce that growing expectation.

Red Bull arrives in Belgium having reverted to its conventional rear wing after Verstappen suffered a series of high-speed crashes that have largely been linked to the rear wing specification introduced at the Miami Grand Prix. Mercedes, meanwhile, has brought further updates to its car as it looks to address the reliability concerns that have hampered its recent performances and return to the front of the field.

McLaren also heads into the weekend armed with the latest specification of the Mercedes power unit, adding another intriguing element to the battle at the front. Ferrari, on the other hand, has tempered expectations heading into Spa, but after its impressive showing at Silverstone, the Scuderia has already demonstrated it can spring a surprise when least expected.

With the opening session just around the corner, the question is simple: who will set the pace in first practice?

After two consecutive hot race weekends, the Belgian Grand Prix looks set to bring a change in conditions. While both the Austrian and British Grands Prix were largely warm and dry, Spa-Francorchamps could once again live up to its reputation for unpredictable weather.

According to The Weather Channel, Friday carries the highest chance of rain, with showers forecast during the morning. Temperatures are expected to peak at 25°C, while the probability of rain throughout the day stands at 31%. One notable difference from the previous two race weekends will be the increased cloud cover. Fans at Spa can expect partly cloudy skies across all three days, offering some welcome relief from the recent heat.

Friday is forecast to be the warmest day of the weekend at 25°C, with temperatures dropping slightly to 23°C on both Saturday and Sunday. The likelihood of rain also decreases as the weekend progresses, falling to 24% on Saturday and 20% on race day. Although a wet Belgian Grand Prix can never be ruled out, current forecasts suggest only a relatively low chance of rain during Sunday's race.