It has been a short while for the reason that final grand prix, so let’s briefly recap…
At first of July, Lando Norris received his residence race, the British Grand Prix, as Nico Hülkenberg took his first System 1 podium in a moist race at Silverstone.
The race marked the midway level within the season, the place Oscar Piastri’s championship lead over Norris has been considerably lowered, however McLaren nonetheless retain a robust maintain of each championships.
On to spherical 13 at Spa — a dash weekend and a historic circuit loved by followers and drivers alike.
Climate forecast – rain
Friday is ready for gentle showers and highs of 20°C (68°F), with Saturday being comparable temperatures and largely cloudy all day.
Sunday is forecast for extra showers throughout the day and comparable temperatures within the excessive teenagers.
Soar to: Circuit historical past & stats | 2024 race | race predictions | find out how to watch | championship standings
Newest information
Pink Bull stuffed the break with the shock announcement that crew principal Christian Horner had been sacked. Was his dismissal of venture to maintain Max Verstappen (who’s being courted by Mercedes)? Discover out in our evaluation of the crew administration reshuffle.
Senior figures at Pink Bull promoted Racing Bulls crew principal, Laurent Mekies, to steer the crew, and little doubt he will probably be a well-liked man with reporters this weekend, as journalists search to make clear the scenario at Pink Bull.
Nonetheless as regards to Pink Bull, Carlos Sainz has mentioned he nonetheless doesn’t perceive why Pink Bull didn’t signal him as Max Verstappen’s teammate for this season.
For extra Pink Bull evaluation and a preview of the Belgian Grand Prix, hearken to the most recent episode of ESPN’s F1 podcast Unlapped with Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson.
Circuit stats and historical past
Spa-Francorchamps stays one of the crucial iconic F1 circuits and a favorite of followers and drivers alike. It is considered one of seven circuits that was a part of F1’s inaugural season in 1950, and solely two years have been missed since then.
The 1957 version was cancelled as a consequence of gasoline rationining and monetary bother associated to the Suez Disaster, and the 1969 race was cancelled over security considerations raised by Jackie Stewart.
The unique 1921 circuit was 14.9km lengthy and constructed utilizing public roads. The next yr, a chicane was put in to sluggish the automobiles down, however it will be the ultimate yr of ‘previous Spa’ as F1 moved to Zolder and Nivelles for the following 10 years.
Redevelopments at Spa happened in 1979 and noticed the observe shortened to 7km, which nonetheless makes it the longest circuit on the F1 calendar.
Spa shares the same backdrop to the Austrian Grand Prix with forests and hills of the Ardennes area. The circuit, which sweeps by the forest, has every part you can need: elevation modifications, overtaking alternatives and extremely unpredictable climate.
It options the well-known duo of Eau Rouge and Raidillon, for a very long time famend as one of many hardest (and steepest) corners in F1.
First F1 race: 1950
Laps: 44 laps of the 7km circuit. Whole race distance 308km
Lap document: 1:44.701, Sergio Pérez (2024)
Most wins: Michael Schumacher with six (1992, 1995-1997, 2001-2002). Different winners from the present grid:
Most poles: Hamilton with six (2008, 2013, 2015, 2017-2018, 2020). Different pole sitters from the present grid:
What makes it particular: The sweeping, high-speed rollercoaster by the Ardennes forest is thought to be considered one of F1’s most iconic venues. Legendary corners like Eau Rouge and Blanchimont and the prospect of completely unpredictable climate add to the drama of this circuit.
What the drivers say about it: “Spa might be the most effective circuit on the earth, and each lap you do right here is magic.” — Fernando Alonso
The place to look at from: Eau Rouge and Raidillon. One of the crucial well-known sections in motorsport, the place automobiles blast uphill at full throttle. The grandstands right here give an unbelievable view of the elevation change and dedication required to take it flat out.
Enjoyable information about Spa:
Verstappen was born in Belgium, which loosely makes Spa-Francorchamps his residence race in addition to Zandvoort
Discounting Verstappen, no Belgian driver has received the Belgian Grand Prix
The unique bus cease chicane on the finish of the lap, truly derived from a bus cease because the 1921 circuit design utilised public roads
Eau Rouge did not characteristic on the unique circuit format. Previous to F1, the title is synonymous with a river in Liege, with which had purple oxide deposits
The 24 Hours of Spa began in 1924, making it the oldest race held on the circuit
Of 69 editions of the Belgian Grand Prix, 27 have been received from pole.
What occurred final yr?
It was a Mercedes one-two led by George Russell, however he was later disqualified for an underweight automotive. His teammate Lewis Hamilton inherited the victory — his second win of the season.
The race was tight with the highest three separated by 1.1 seconds, however Mercedes’ technique and Hamilton’s lunge on pole sitter Charles Leclerc for the race lead was the transfer that enabled the victory.
Who will win?
It is arduous to guess in opposition to anybody aside from a McLaren driver profitable in the meanwhile. Momentum has been with Norris these days, however Piastri has misplaced none of his efficiency and is our choose to show the tide and take his first win since Spain this weekend.
How the championships look
Piastri’s lead within the drivers’ championship has been lowered to eight factors forward of teammate Norris. Nevertheless, the McLaren pair are means forward of the remainder of the sphere as Verstappen is 61 factors behind Norris in third.
McLaren lead the constructors’ championship with 460 factors, 238 forward of second-best Ferrari.
Easy methods to watch the GP
For followers within the U.S. solely, watch on ESPN and ESPN+.
Within the UK stay broadcast protection is on Sky Sports activities F1 and BBC Radio 5 Stay.
For information, evaluation and updates, comply with the protection with ESPN’s F1 crew Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson at Spa and on social media.
Session instances beneath in BST (British Summer season Time). Native time is Central European Summer season Time (+1 hour from BST).
Friday
Free apply one: 11:30-12:30 BST
Dash qualifying: 15:30-16:14 BST
Saturday
Dash race: 11:00-12:00 BST
Qualifying: 15:00-16:00 BST
Sunday
Race begins: 14:00 BST (stay textual content commentary build-up from 13:15 BST on ESPN.co.uk).
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