Belgian Grand Prix preview
Spa is one of those classic circuits, like Monaco, that epitomise the very fabric of Formula One racing. It’s also as close a thing as F1 has to a rollercoaster, fast unpredictable and bumpy. Over the years it’s had a bit of tinkering with, but is still that wildly exciting and unpredictable circuit.
It’s got two of the best and most challenging corners in Formula One in the form of the jaunty Eau Rouge and the unforgiving Blanchimont. Despite being levelled out a bit Eau Rouge is as ominous as ever, encompassing a dip and a steep rise at speed leaving the drivers basically coming out blind and flummoxed. While the fearsome Blanchimont at turn 17-18, a double left hander where the cars rocket round at breathtaking pace is as tough as any to negotiate.
After that there is also the very tricky La Source hairpin and the unpredictable weather, which seems to constantly bucket down. Despite the mass precipitation year after year a strange Spa phenomenon occurs where only part of the track gets wet, proving a nightmare for team tactics and tyre choices through the Belgian Grand prix.
At 4.3 miles this is a real beast of a track which delivers full throttle almost all the way around. Fans love it, drivers love it and it’s never a disappointment. It’s well remembered as the place legendary driver Giles Villeneuve fatally crashed and since then has changed dramatically in terms of safety, but the awe-inspiring forestry and excellent sights remain to felicitate this truly epic event.
In terms of the drivers’ championship it’s still all to play for following the three-week summer break. The furore of Ferrari’s team order tactics in Germany still sizzles under and all eyes will be on Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa to see if anything untoward happens. Massa last won this race back in 2008 and he would relish the opportunity to get his first win on the board since his big crash last year, if the Scuderia let him.
In recent years Kimi Räikkönen has dominated this circuit with four wins in the last five races, with Massa’s triumph sandwiched in between. Before him the last winner was Michael Schumacher who took it in 2002 and 2001. It would have to be a surprise of heroic proportions to see the ever-presumptuous German take the chequered flag on Sunday. "Schumi" announced he will win a world title again earlier this week, and although this track can throw up surprises and the circuit and the rain will suit him, he will most likely just chug about in his Mercedes being outdriven by teammate Nico Rosberg.
Elsewhere the battle between Red Bull and McLaren rages on. Red Bull’s in-fighting between Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber continues to be the most interesting sub-plot of the season. The pair have been at loggerheads on and off the track and that doesn’t look like relenting any time soon. At least Red Bull have the decency to let them compete against one another, although they may want to think about turning down the radio what with Webber’s tirade at Silverstone and Vettel’s faux pas in Hungary. Right now Webber is the form driver; he goes in to Spa having won the last race in Budapest but Vettel has driven like a demon all season and has had no luck, he will be looking for his first win since Spain on Sunday.
Elsewhere the McLaren boys continue to go along nicely. They must strut around the paddock like the Rat Pack or something, all love and good times between them while the other teams bicker non-stop. Lewis Hamilton has arguably been the most consistent driver all season while Jenson Button just seems to accumulate points. Both men are still in championship contention and with races beginning to run low they will be pushing hard for the victory.
It’s worth remembering due to the unpredictability of the track anything could happen. Never was this more so than last year’s race. The starting grid was a front three of Giancarlo Fisichella in the Force India, Jarno Trulli in a Toyota and Nick Hiedfield driving in a Sauber. Truly bizarre. Fisichella even made the podium with a second-place finish so it shows anything can go at Spa.
Out of the rest of the pack a couple of people could recreate the underdog surprise such as Robert Kubica who’s been threatening to do something for a while now in the Renault. While Rubens Barrichello in the Williams would surely love to mark his record-breaking 300th grand prix with his first win of the season, especially if he gets to pass Schumacher on the way.
Anyway enough Belgian waffling, as ever Spa promises to be one of the most action packed exciting races of the season and is one not to miss, you don’t need to be Hercule Poirot to work that out.
Tags: