After what seems like an eternity to hardened fans, Formula 1 returns from its annual summer break this weekend for the Belgian Grand Prix. Set in the Ardennes forest, Spa Francorchamps is arguably one of the most loved circuits on the calendar. High-speed turns like Eau Rouge & Raidillon, the beautiful scenery, and unpredictable weather add to its mystique.
The big news for the Red Bull teams is the driver swap which sees Alex Albon get promoted to the parent team and Pierre Gasly moving back to Toro Rosso. Additionally, Albon (Red Bull) and Kvyat (Toro Rosso) will take Honda’s new Spec. 4 engine and the penalties that come with it. Gasly and Verstappen will take this engine at the next round in Monza. Being a circuit which still favors power over all else expect it to be a challenging weekend with one Red Bull car a candidate for a podium spot and one Toro Rosso in the points.
Elsewhere on the grid, it will be a tight race between Mercedes and Ferrari with the former having what we know to be a power advantage. Based on recent performances we should expect a McLaren to be challenging for best of the rest. They will be followed closely by a Renault. We could see a Racing Point dueling with Renault as Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen could be sidelined in favor of Marcus Ericsson. The ultimate wild card is Haas whose on again, off again speed as they struggle with tires could leave them near the front or near the back; both cars are running upgrades this weekend. Williams will round out the order as they work frantically to sort fundamental issues with their car.
US TV SCHEDULE:
Practice 1 – Friday, August 30 – 4.55AM –
ESPN
2
Practice 2 – Friday, August 30, 8.55AM –
ESPNU
Practice 3 – Satuday, August 31 – 5.55AM –
ESPN
2
Qualifying – Saturday, August 31 – 8.55AM –
TBD
Pit Lane Live – Sunday, September 1 – 7.30AM – ESPN3
On the Grid – Sunday, September 1 – 7.30AM – ESPN2
Race – Sunday, September 2 – 9.05AM – ESPN2
CIRCUIT INFORMATION:
Lap data
Lap length: 7.004km (4.352 miles)
Race laps: 44
Race distance: 308.052km (191.415 miles)
Pole position: Right-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’46.286 by Valtteri Bottas, 2018
Fastest lap: 1’42.533 by Lewis Hamilton, 2017
Maximum speed: 324kph (201.324 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Pit straight and Kemmel straight
Distance from grid to turn one: 265m
Car performance
Full throttle: 70%
Longest flat-out section: 2015m
Downforce level: Medium
Gear changes per lap: 45
Fuel use per lap: 2.2kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.088s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 2013: 22.444s by Ferrari
2019 tyres: Hard (C1), Medium (C2), Soft(C3) (2018: Medium, Soft, Supersoft)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2018 RESULTS:
Race stats.
Laps: 44
Pole: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:58.179
Fast race lap: Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 1:46.286
Podium
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
CURRENT STANDINGS:
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 250
2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 188
3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 181
4. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 156
5. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 132
6. Pierre Gasly, Red Bull, 63
7. Carlos Sainz, McLaren, 58
8. Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo Racing, 31
9. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, 27
10. Lando Norris, McLaren, 24
Constructors
1. Mercedes, 438
2. Ferrari, 288
3. Red Bull, 244
4. McLaren, 82
5. Toro Rosso, 43
6. Renault, 39
7. Alfa Romeo Racing, 32
8. Racing Point, 31
9. Haas, 26
10. Williams, 1
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