Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, by the way, has been out for an installation lap, meaning all 20 cars have had an early venture out. 

Jolyon Palmer is once again in the Lotus as Romain Grosjen sits this session out.

Apparently Nico Rosberg has a private jet on standby in case his wife goes into labour. 

Will he be able to keep his focus on matters on the track? Lewis Hamilton will certainly be hoping not.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"Nico Rosberg insists he just needs ‘small changes’ to start taking the regular wins he needs to overhaul Lewis Hamilton and win the title. 

"'Keep pushing the way I have and it just needs to be slightly the other way and that’s it,’ the German said. ‘There were times in the last race I was actually leading the championship. It was very close in the first half of the season and in sport it can go either way. I just need to keep on going like this, keep pushing and winning races and then I believe I can make it happen.’ 

"The stats don’t back him up, though. Hamilton is nine-one up in qualifying; five-three on wins, which should be six-two given Monaco fell into Rosberg’s lap. That requires a sea-change, not a minimal shift."

Image source, Nico Rosberg/Twitter

Nico Rosberg's life is very different to the one Lewis Hamilton is living.

The German is soon to become a dad and has spent his mid-season holiday with his pregnant wife, as well as playing a bit of backgammon.

It may have looked like a nice, quiet holiday for Rosberg but it seems it was anything but as he prepares for the new arrival.

"The baby seat is in the Mercedes ML and it took me two hours to put it in there," he said. "It was one of the toughest recent experiences."

Nico Rosberg is the first man out on the circuit as his Mercedes team-mate stays in the garage for now. 

It looks like pretty much everyone else has ventured out for a first run on the circuit.

Image source, Getty Images

With clear blue skies and mist rolling over the top of the tall trees, Spa is looking positively enchanting this morning as the green lights flick on and the cars roll out on to the circuit.

Ferrari are celebrating a big landmark this week with this weekend's race their 900th Grand Prix.

Kimi looks positively delighted...

A bit of a surprise, then, that Ferrari plumped for retaining Kimi Raikkonen. What do you think of the move? The right one? 

Let us know via #bbcf1,, external text in on 81111, or post your comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Image source, Getty Images

"The big news ahead of the weekend was of course Ferrari’s decision to re-sign Kimi Raikkonen. This has been described in some quarters as ‘a surprise’, but it was nothing of the sort.

"The team had been exploring other options to see who was out there and had not made their mind up what to do. But with Daniel Ricciardo unavailable and Ferrari unconvinced by Valtteri Bottas, they decided sticking with Raikkonen, despite his slightly wobbly form this year and very wobbly performance last, was the best option. 

"Raikkonen himself was in one one of his relatively chatty moods on Thursday, saying he was pleased to stay, hopeful that Ferrari can take another step forward in 2016 and enjoyed working with and racing Sebastian Vettel, alongside whom life has been much less uncomfortable than it was against Fernando Alonso in 2014.”

Almost time for FP1 to get under way but just before we do, best we catch up with news from the world of F1, and there has been some pretty big, and possibly surprising, news this week...

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"Eau Rouge might be ‘easy flat’ in most cars in the dry these days but the amazing, roller-coaster like swerves are still a huge challenge, taken at close to 200mph. 

"This year, that challenge has been made slightly harder by the seemingly innocuous addition of a new kerb at Raidillon - the left-hander at the top of the hill that forms the last part of the three corners that are usually incorrectly lumped together when people refer to ‘Eau Rouge’. 

"Jenson Button said it was a ‘shame’ the left-right-left would only require a lift in the wet, but added: ‘They have put a new kerb, though, which is bit scary on the apex of Turn Four, the left. That makes it harder and if you run a bit wide you don’t want to hit it, you want to go to the left of it rather than over it.’”

Image source, Getty Images

Ahh, Spa. A circuit full of character and home to some of the best corners in F1.

Here's the majestic, sweeping uphill beaut that is Eau Rouge. Love it.

To fulfil your F1 cravings after its absence for the last couple of weeks, you can watch, listen or read about this weekend's race across the BBC.

Television coverage of first practice is under way now on BBC Two and online at the top of this page, with 5 live commentary available online also.

If you are on the way to work and sans ability to watch or listen, then you can follow the action in written form right here.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Image source, Formula 1

“A year ago, Spa proved to be the pivotal race of the championship.

"Nico Rosberg, leading on points and annoyed by what he saw as Lewis Hamilton getting way with ignoring a team order to let him by at the previous race, tried an over-ambitious move, and took Hamilton out of the race. 

"The rollocking Rosberg received for that from Mercedes seemed to diminish him, and Hamilton went on an almost unstoppable run that led to the title. 

"Can Rosberg beat Hamilton this weekend and use the psychological boost of a win on one of the sport’s great circuits to revitalise his campaign? Or will Hamilton further underline his clear superiority so far this year. 

"There could barely be a better venue to find out.”

Image source, Getty Images

Hello! Welcome to our coverage of the 11th race on the 2015 Formula 1 calendar - the Belgian Grand Prix.

Formula 1 downed tools for a couple of weeks, with drivers and team personnel alike getting away for a bit of R&R.

Now, though, the holidays are over and the serious business returns. 

What better place to resume the season than at Spa-Francorchamps, scene to a pivotal moment in the Lewis Hamilton-Nico Rosberg title battle last year...

The holidays are over, the out-of-office replies removed and the world of F1 has this week made the commute back to the workplace...

For some, the summer break was a time to really let the hair down...

Image source, Instagram

    ...for others, it was about some quality family time...    

Image source, Twitter

Two team-mates, very different holidays.

But whose break has prepared them best for the remainder of the season?