Belgium Grand Prix 2010, Spa-Francorchamps Circuit - Race 13/19

[Glaucus]

Spa-Francorchamps, 27-29 August

Friday 27 August
Practice one: 0855-1035, BBC Red Button/online
Practice two: 1255-1435, BBC Red Button/online

Saturday 28 August
Practice three: 0955-1105, BBC Red Button/online
Qualifying: 1210-1410, BBC One/online and BBC Radio 5 live sport extra/online

Sunday 29 August
Race: 1210-1515, BBC One/online and BBC Radio 5 live/online

Followed by Formula 1 Forum on the Red Button from 1515-1615


Standings:

Track:

Track Diagram

Circuit information
Length: 7.004km
Race distances: 44 laps / 308.176km

Full throttle: 70%
Top speed: 310kph
Longest flat-out section: 24s / 1.865km
Right/left-hand corners: 9/10

Tyre wear: Medium/low
Brake wear: Medium
Downforce level: Medium

Source: BMW 2007

Strategy

Fuel use per lap: 3.151kg
Pit lane time loss: 19.8s (source: Williams)

2010 tyre compounds: Hard (prime, no stripe) and Soft (option, green stripe)
2009 tyre compounds: Medium (prime, no stripe) and Soft (option, green stripe)
2008 tyre compounds: Hard (prime, no stripe) and Medium (option, white stripe)


Belgium preview quotes - Ferrari, Renault, Toro Rosso, Red Bull & more
After three weekends off, the Formula One teams return to competition next Friday at the Belgian Grand Prix. With its long straights, variable weather and demanding mix of corners, the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit is one of the calendar’s toughest prospects and a firm favourite with the drivers. Here they and their colleagues discuss their chances...


Belgian - Team Preview
Bridgestone
Cosworth

McLaren
Sauber
Mercedes
Ferrari Not uploaded yet
Red Bull Not uploaded yet
Williams
Renault Not uploaded yet
Force India
Toro Rosso Not uploaded yet[/B]
Lotus Not uploaded yet
Hispania
Virgin


Classic F1

Classic F1 - Belgian Grand Prix 1979
Watch highlights from the 1979 Belgian Grand Prix as Ferrari's Jody Scheckter wins after a race-long fight with the Williams of Alan Jones and the Ligiers of Jacques Laffite and Patrick Depailler.

Classic F1 - Belgian Grand Prix 1987
Watch highlights from the 1987 Belgian Grand Prix as Alain Prost profits from a first-lap crash between Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna to claim his 27th victory in F1.

Classic F1 - Belgian Grand Prix 1993
Watch highlights from the 1993 Belgian Grand Prix as Damon Hill wins his second race in F1 ahead of Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost.

Classic F1 - Belgian Grand Prix 2000
Watch highlights from the 2000 Belgian Grand Prix as Mika Hakkinen pulls off one of the greatest overtaking manoeuvres in F1 history to win ahead of Michael Schumacher.

Classic F1 - Belgian Grand Prix 2009
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen holds off a strong challenge from Giancarlo Fisichella to win his first race of the 2009 season at the Belgian Grand Prix.


Technical Changes - German Grand Prix

Weather Forecast

Forecast Summary:
It's a wet and breezy spell looming into Thursday (Spa has a 35 chance of seeing rain over 20mm, via a vigorous Atlantic low, transiting eastwards, which will bring inclement weather to the UK during Wednesday). Therafter, high pressure will attempt to ridge eastwards into Belgium for Friday, but showery conditions will still dominate across much of northern France and into Benelux.

Although it could remain mostly dry, I wouldn't count on it! Showery outbreaks of (mostly light) rain are very likely, not least forced through orographic influences. Worth noting that the UKMO's MOGREPS-15 mapping of rainfall probability exceeding 0.5mm offers the chance of rain across Spa as 60+% during Friday. So, I'd be surprised if the day stays entirely dry throughout.

Depending on which model you choose, it could be distinctly cool too - important to stress this factor; for example, ambient temperature via the UKMO Global Model is only 15C. Brrrr!!!

I'm expecting Saturday to be a fairly decent affair; some sunny spells; the anticyclonic ridging ever more influential but so mostly dry weather probable, but with a chance of a light shower forced-up again by the higher ground especially. So again, no guarantee of entirely dry conditions into FP3 and qualifying, but a pretty good chance for this outcome.

I haven't seen the ECMWF-EPS 00z output this morning (I'm about to leave!), but the latest from them (12z OP) shows the probability of rainfall at Spa on Saturday exceeding 1mm (in the 24hr period) as greater than 35% but less than 65%, so a reduced risk when compared to Friday.

The localised detail will clearly remain the key issue as we approach Friday onwards. Sorry I won't be around to add this crucial nowcast stuff for you all, but I hope the rainfall radar, latest observations and other links I've listed above will provide some help!

Sunday is a tricky one, and the latest output I'd seen from ECMWF and UKMO are largely now in line with other operational centres, notably GFS and Canada's GM.

All the centres agree on a firm mid-Atlantic block established by the high cell, with a depression set to skirt-down across the North Sea and swing frontal rain into parts of NW Europe, although any extension of this threat southwards into Belgium will be tricky to call at this juncture. It could well bring a few light showers and patchy outbreaks of rain into Spa-Francorchamps as the race is underway, but crucially....

....EC, UKMO and GFS have the low development and attendant precipitation further to the north and east, into Holland, Denmark and N Germany, whilst mostly dry, ridged conditions prevail into Spa for Sunday with variable cloud cover.

As things stand, I'm more tempted by dry or mostly dry conditions on race day... but there's plenty of time for things to change (and you will all see the final result in real-time; I'll have to record it and watch later!)



News

• Track tweaks at Spa ahead of race
  The Belgian Grand Prix organisers have made some tweaks to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit ahead of this weekend’s F1 race.
• Spa’s long straights offer hope to Red Bull’s rivals (Belgian Grand Prix preview)
  After a four-week break, F1 bursts back into life at the stunning Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
• McLaren confident of pace improvement
  McLaren is optimistic the next two venues of Spa and Monza, plus improvements to its own car and the FIA clampdown on ‘flexi-wings’, should enable it to get its title challenge back on track after recent drubbings by Red Bull and Ferrari.
• Hamilton on Spa: “Back into title hunt”
  Lewis Hamilton is ready to renew his title race when the season resumes next week in Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix.
• Hamilton fined for Melbourne 'hooning'
  Lewis Hamilton has been fined £287 by a Melbourne court for performing a tyre burnout in his Mercedes road car at this year’s Australian Grand Prix.
• Button completes London Triathlon
  Jenson Button fought off a bout of tonsillitis to complete the arduous London Triathlon on Sunday.
• No changes to Red Bull wing – Newey
  Adrian Newey is not anticipating Red Bull being forced to make any changes to its controversial front wing in order to comply with the revised load tests to be introduced from the Belgian Grand Prix.
• Ferrari seeking new ideas over break
  Stefano Domenicali expects the Ferrari staff to return from the compulsory summer break refreshed and full of ideas that help the team with the push for the championship over the last seven races.
• Alonso: Title experience may be key
  Fernando Alonso believes the fact he and his two McLaren rivals have experience of winning the world title could play to their advantage as the championship pressure increases over the decisive phase of the season.
• Schu: Penalty won’t dampen Spa thrill
  Michael Schumacher insists he is looking forward to next weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix despite the huge handicap of a 10-place grid penalty that he will take into the event.
• Force India/Aerolab dispute escalates
  The long-running legal dispute between Force India and Aerolab looks set to escalate after the aerodynamic engineering company warned of further suits and counter-suits being launched next month.
• Yamamoto keeps HRT seat for Spa
  Sakon Yamamoto will race for Hispania again at the Belgian Grand Prix, the team confirmed on Friday.
• Cosworth boss praises new teams
  Cosworth’s Formula 1 boss, Mark Gallagher, has praised the performance of the new teams, and said that he hopes one of them will score points before the end of the year to prove they deserve their place in the sport.
  

The track and TV coverage starts

Technical changes Belgium

FIA Thursday press conference - Belgium
Drivers: Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso), Pedro de la Rosa (Sauber), Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull).


FIA Friday press conference - Belgium
Team principals: John Booth (Virgin), Ross Brawn (Mercedes), Mike Gascoyne (Lotus) and Martin Whitmarsh (McLaren).


Practice 1

Highlights - Belgian GP first practice
Highlights of the first practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix as Fernando Alonso leads the way in wet conditions at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.


I-Player Formula 1 - 2010 - The Belgian Grand Prix - Practice One
Live coverage of the first practice session from the Belgian Grand Prix. The drivers will be keen to make a good start after the summer break.


Practice 2

Highlights - Belgian GP second practice
Highlights from second practice for the Belgian Grand Prix as Fernando Alonso sets the fastest time of the day ahead of Force India's Adrian Sutil.

IPlayer [/B]Formula_1_2010_The_Belgian_Grand_Prix_Practice_Two/]
Formula 1 - 2010 - The Belgian Grand Prix - Practice Two
Live coverage of the second practice session from the Belgian Grand Prix. Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton will be hoping for a good session as they battle it out for the top spot.

Practice 3

Qaulifying

Highlights - Belgian GP qualifying
Mark Webber takes pole at Spa after a rain-affected qualifying session in Belgium with Lewis Hamilton second and Robert Kubica thir

IPlayer
Formula 1 - 2010 - The Belgian Grand Prix - Qualifying
Jake Humphrey presents live coverage of qualifying for tomorrow's Belgian Grand Prix, as Formula 1 returns after a month-long summer break.

Watch Mark Webber's pole lap at Spa
Watch Red Bull's Mark Webber's superb pole lap at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Top three drivers - Belgian Grand Prix qualifying
Red Bull's Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton of McLaren and Renault's Robert Kubica take the first three places in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Qualifying analysis - McLaren ripe to challenge Red Bull?
Changing weather conditions played havoc in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, especially in Q1 when it rained while some cars were still out on slick tyres. Q2 was dry, but the onset of rain again after the first runs in Q3 again made life difficult for the survivors. In the end Red Bull took their 12th pole position in 13 races, but McLaren ran them mighty close. We take a team-by-team look at the pre-race form…

Race

5 live Formula 1 - 2010 - Belgian GP Preview
David Croft and the 5 live Formula 1 team preview the Belgian Grand Prix from Spa.

Highlights - Lewis Hamilton wins Belgian Grand Prix
Highlights from a dramatic afternoon's racing at the Spa circuit as Lewis Hamilton holds on to take victory in the Belgium Grand Prix.

IPlayer Formula 1 - 2010 - The Belgian Grand Prix
Jake Humphrey is at Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix, as Formula 1 returns after a month-long summer break.

Sebastian Vettel crashes into Jenson Button in Spa
Sebatian Vettel loses control of his Red Bull and crashes into McLaren's Jenson Button ending the British driver's 2010 Belgian Grand Prix.

Belgian Grand Prix - Top three drivers
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton gives his reaction after victory at the Belgian Grand Prix ahead of championship rival Mark Webber of Red Bull and Renault's Robert Kubica.



Standings

 

[Glaucus]

The summer break is finally over .

Surprised RBR say their wing will be fine, either tests aren't loading the right part, or it is a lot more complicated than just the wing.,

 

[Glaucus]

I think you may have made a mistake here though:

Hungary?

Thanks, updated.

 

[Glaucus]

You lucky so and so, Spie and others.

FIA Thursday press conference - Belgium
Drivers: Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso), Pedro de la Rosa (Sauber), Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull).

Cosworth

Virgin

 

[Glaucus]

wow you lucky **** spie, but can;t you take non blurry photos .

How annoying bbc practice results table is messed up for some reason

Highlights - Belgian GP first practice
Highlights of the first practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix as Fernando Alonso leads the way in wet conditions at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.


I-Player Formula 1 - 2010 - The Belgian Grand Prix - Practice One
Live coverage of the first practice session from the Belgian Grand Prix. The drivers will be keen to make a good start after the summer break.

 

[Glaucus]

It's probably a result of consuming the contents in his other hand!

Well get one one of the Ferrari slaves to take them, oops I mean Massa


wow just noticed Virgin is almost on the back marker times.

 

[Glaucus]

Sorry for quality of pics. iPhone then compressed. Long story.

TBH fair play for taking any, I know I would be enjoying myself far to much to bother.

So whys it been red flanged something about spectators, only just switched on.

 

[Glaucus]

. Such changeable conditions.

Good stuff, hope it continues. Mixed grid and half wet/dry race would be good.

 

[Glaucus]

They were say in practice that the front wing probably generates upto 700kilos so 100kilo is nothing. We shall have to see what the new wing and floor tests are at the next race.

Do you think they have several tests but are weighting to see championship table before deciding which to use.

 

[Glaucus]

Or say 1000kilo,that's more than downforce generated problem solved, should also solve rbi and was it saubers front wing failures.

 

[Glaucus]

a ton on the front end would snap it acid

Would solve any arguments though. If they do generate 700kilos then they must be pretty darn strong.

 

[Glaucus]

Just got back and watching qauli, nice collection of cars in q1 for ms to miss.

Well impressed on where Lewis is (stupid radio) should be good race, especially here where weather is so unpredictable.

 

[Glaucus]

Before qualifying (just as in most races), people seemed to believe that a non-RBR car will be on pole. After quallifying, we discover that RBR is still the fastest car.

.

no one expected anything else other than rbi on pole, everyone thought mclaren would be well down the grid and Ferrari further up than they are. But few people expected anything else than rbi on pole.
People did say it will suit mclaren more which it does, doesn't mean they thought they would be on pole.

 

[Glaucus]

Practice 2

Highlights - Belgian GP second practice
Highlights from second practice for the Belgian Grand Prix as Fernando Alonso sets the fastest time of the day ahead of Force India's Adrian Sutil.

IPlayer [/B]Formula_1_2010_The_Belgian_Grand_Prix_Practice_Two/]
Formula 1 - 2010 - The Belgian Grand Prix - Practice Two
Live coverage of the second practice session from the Belgian Grand Prix. Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton will be hoping for a good session as they battle it out for the top spot.

Practice 3

Qaulifying

Highlights - Belgian GP qualifying
Mark Webber takes pole at Spa after a rain-affected qualifying session in Belgium with Lewis Hamilton second and Robert Kubica thir

IPlayer
Formula 1 - 2010 - The Belgian Grand Prix - Qualifying
Jake Humphrey presents live coverage of qualifying for tomorrow's Belgian Grand Prix, as Formula 1 returns after a month-long summer break.

Watch Mark Webber's pole lap at Spa
Watch Red Bull's Mark Webber's superb pole lap at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Top three drivers - Belgian Grand Prix qualifying
Red Bull's Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton of McLaren and Renault's Robert Kubica take the first three places in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Qualifying analysis - McLaren ripe to challenge Red Bull?
Changing weather conditions played havoc in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, especially in Q1 when it rained while some cars were still out on slick tyres. Q2 was dry, but the onset of rain again after the first runs in Q3 again made life difficult for the survivors. In the end Red Bull took their 12th pole position in 13 races, but McLaren ran them mighty close. We take a team-by-team look at the pre-race form…

Race

5 live Formula 1 - 2010 - Belgian GP Preview
David Croft and the 5 live Formula 1 team preview the Belgian Grand Prix from Spa.

 

[Glaucus]

Darn it, won't be able to watch it live..

Come on Knip, more rain dancing needed.

Edit - And why do BBC never upload FP3 Highlights?

 

[Glaucus]

FIA Friday press conference - Belgium
Team principals: John Booth (Virgin), Ross Brawn (Mercedes), Mike Gascoyne (Lotus) and Martin Whitmarsh (McLaren).

 

[Glaucus]

This I disagree with. You often see the rear car lose it in or just before a braking zone and hit the car in front. Not always combined with a spin, but it does happen reasonably often

Totally agree, if you lose it under braking, then you are not scrubbing the speed of at the normal rate. So you will either hit the car in front or shoot past the side of them. Nothing odd at all.

Also agree this is not a 2 man race. Such a shame for button, he was doing very well in a car he was not happy with. It makes it a lot harder for him and vettle, but anything can happen.

I dislike Vettle immensely, he's lucky to be in a great car. I do not rate his driving atm. he's fast out front. But just gets involved in far to many incidences or just gives up until the SC comes out. His attitude sucks more and he is an annoying whinger.

At least Lewis seems to of matured and we haven't seen him whinge in a while.

 

[Glaucus]

PS: Vettel's was a racing incident and doesnt warrant the vitriol that is being directed towards him.

Although I agree it was a racing incident. There is a trend he gets himself into these positions more than any other driver. He touches nearly every race. You have to blame him to a certain degree, other drivers just don't get in these situations to begin with. At least not nearly every race.

why did he make such an aggressive movement on a knowingly wet track. Boggles the mind.

 

[Glaucus]

Highlights - Lewis Hamilton wins Belgian Grand Prix
Highlights from a dramatic afternoon's racing at the Spa circuit as Lewis Hamilton holds on to take victory in the Belgium Grand Prix.

IPlayer Formula 1 - 2010 - The Belgian Grand Prix
Jake Humphrey is at Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix, as Formula 1 returns after a month-long summer break.

Sebastian Vettel crashes into Jenson Button in Spa
Sebatian Vettel loses control of his Red Bull and crashes into McLaren's Jenson Button ending the British driver's 2010 Belgian Grand Prix.

Belgian Grand Prix - Top three drivers
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton gives his reaction after victory at the Belgian Grand Prix ahead of championship rival Mark Webber of Red Bull and Renault's Robert Kubica.

 

[Glaucus]

Get voting

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2010/08/30/should-vettel-have-had-a-penalty-poll/

Intially I thought the track was wet but after seeing the replay and what JB said it was clearly dry. Which makes it a very odd crash and as such voted no opinion. Pros and cons, I don't see how it can be compare to any other accident in that race. Closest similar situation is vettel crashing into MW but vettel was knocked out and they where team mates which usually more lisnient, probably due to team managers not asking stewards.