The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps will host the 12th round of the 2012 Formula One World Championship as the Grand Prix of Belgium signals a return to racing following the series’ summer break. The track, which winds up and down through the Ardennes, has its reputation built on speed. At around 20 seconds, the section from La Source to Les Combes is the longest duration an F1 car will spend on full-throttle in 2012 – should the driver take the Eau Rouge/Raidillon combination flat-out.
Despite this, and another long flat-out run down to the new Bus Stop chicane, Spa is a more technical challenge than perhaps its high-speed reputation suggests, with the ten corners of the twisting middle sector often being where fast laps are crafted. Because of the challenges of Rivage, Blanchimont, Stavelot and especially Pouhon in this middle sector, Spa doesn’t demand the ultra-low downforce aero packages seen at Monza. Instead it falls into the medium-low category similar to those used in Montreal. It isn’t a race that heavily taxes suspension or braking, but it does see high tyre-wear and, with a longer lap – 7km in total – than any other grand prix, pitting at the right moment carries a greater premium.
Another factor is the weather: rare is the year when it doesn’t rain at some point over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. This, in combination with the distance travelled around the lap and its elevation changes, make Spa notorious for inconsistent conditions, with showers falling on some parts of the circuit while others remain dry.
Fernando Alonso goes into the race leading the Drivers’ World Championship by 40 points. History looks kindly on drivers in his position with 8 out of the last ten World Championships being won by the driver top of the standings at this stage of the year. Spa, however, is not Alonso’s best circuit: he hasn’t won here since driving in F3000.
Lap record: 1:45.108 (Kimi Räikkönen, McLaren, 2004)
Fun Facts
- Ferrari are the most successful constructor at the Belgian Grand Prix. They have 16 victories against 12 wins for McLaren.
- Kimi Räikkönen has an unusual record at Spa: in his seven attempts he has either won or failed to finish. Victories came in 2004, ’05, ’07 and ’09. In 2004 and 2009 his victories at Spa were the only ones taken by his team during the season. DNF’s were caused by engine failure in 2002 and a spin while battling for the lead in the closing stages of the 2008 race. His Spa debut in 2001 ended with a technical DNS when transmission failure ensured he did not take the grid for a restart after an early red flag.
- That same race in 2001 saw Michael Schumacher take his 52nd F1 victory, surpassing the standing record set by Alain Prost in 1993. Schumacher’s new record currently stands at 91 wins, of which six have come at Spa, making him the most successful driver in the history of the Belgian Grand Prix. Behind him come Ayrton Senna (5), Jim Clark (4) and Räikkönen.
- Schumacher also made his F1 debut at Spa, and this weekend sees him take part in his 300th Grand Prix.
Shamelessly plagiarised from F1.com
So who's your money on for the race weekend? Who's going to get Pole? Fastest Lap? The Race Win?
Let's not forget, the most important question, who will Pastor Maldonado crash into this weekend?
Cheers
Belgian GP Race Thread
posted on 3/9/12
The Torro Rosso was actually a Newey Designed Red Bull with a different engine.
My view of Vettel has been shaped by his poor driving (GP2 quality in my opinion) and his inability to tackle problems that arise in a race. He always asks his engineer to fix things from the pit wall. He lost a second on the lap that Hamilton overtook him to unlap himself. He also lost a second when Schumacher pitted.
posted on 3/9/12
Hamilton on Vettel's win for Toro Rosso
"He's been fantastic all weekend," Hamilton said. "He's been getting stronger all year.
If Lewis recognised it as a great win, then surely no one else can argue it?
posted on 3/9/12
He also lost a second when Schumacher pitted.
----------------------------------------------------------
I'm not surprised, I'd suspect any driver would have lost a second in that position. It was almost impossible for Vettel not to lose the shape of the car in readjusting. Infact they could have touched, but he avoid it.
posted on 3/9/12
Winning with the Torro Rosso was a great achievement but was an anomaly as he didn't do it again.
The conditions allowed him to do it. Granted he had to drive well to win but the conditions played a role.
Look at Sauber for instance, if Ferrari hadn't given a team order Perez would have won a race. However Perez has been excellent in multiple races, not just the ones in changeable weather.
posted on 3/9/12
Yes; but the tires can be factored into this year - that lots of teams and drivers have shone - just look at the amount of different winners/podium places we have had.
Back in 2008 - the sport was still being dominated by McLaren and Ferrari and Toro Rosso we're still well down the pecking order.
Hence, that win at Italy was some achievement (weather related or not). Infact look at his performance at the last Grand Prix, as he rised from 11th to 2nd. Again showing that he's a driver who adjusts to his surroundings and can make the most of a potentialy difficult weekend.
That's the mark of a World Champion - you'll take the 2nd/3rd places from difficult weekends.
posted on 3/9/12
Some bad spelling and grammar from me in my last post
Never mind we will beg to differ
posted on 3/9/12
Welshy, not trying to belittle his achievements. I would never do that, he still had to deliver even in a superior car.
I'm just not convinced he's a great driver yet. Maybe one day I will subscribe to that school of thought.
I certainly wouldn't put him on the level of Alonso, Kimi or Hamilton. I would go so far as to say JBs a better driver than him too.
posted on 3/9/12
Personally I'd say there is no dominant driver in formula one at the moment.
Hamilton - I like him - he's got the devil in him in a way that the likes of Villeneuve, Mansell and Alesi had. A crowd pleaser, no fear and bags of talent. But I don't think he's as cool as some of the others under pressure - I think he can get too excited and put his car out of the race by not always knowing when to back off and save face when valuable points can still be won. Probably makes him the most real driver out there.
posted on 3/9/12
and I'm going to be bias here and say the man who could win the title this year is the coolest cat on the grid - Kimi Raikkonen.
Hasn't won yet, could and probably should have won a race - but if this title is won on consistancy then he is right bang in the frame.
posted on 3/9/12
Will agree with you there. Hamilton needs to develop that side of his personality because I think that's his main weakness.
Kimi has been quetly going about his task, a dark horse indeed for this title