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Following an eventful lead into the mid-season break in terms of the driver market, Formula One track action roars back to life with a triple header commencing at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps. Tune in on The Roar from 10:50pm AEST for live blog coverage of the Belgian Grand Prix.
The Belgian Grand Prix may be under threat to keep its spot on a bloating Formula One schedule, but it continues to provide great thrills and stunning views across the 7km track that rises and falls through the Ardennes Forest.
2021 saw a non-event despite reigning world champion and current standings leader Max Verstappen being declared the winner. The poor weather that affected that race, is unlikely to impact the 44-laps this time.
What may impact the race is the host of grid penalties, set to be taken by a portion of the field – including frontrunners such as Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris. It mightn’t concern Red Bull as much given the Dutchman’s 80-point lead over Ferrari’s Leclerc, but for the latter keeping their title hopes alive – it is win or bust.
Verstappen out-qualified Leclerc and therefore will start ahead of the Monegasque at the rear of the grid, while starting from pole position will be Carlos Sainz in the other Ferrari. The Spaniard will be joined on the front row by Sergio Perez, while an entertaining second row will comprise of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.
After much criticism of Ferrari’s strategies in recent times, they’re not going to be considered as favourites as Perez and the sharper Red Bull team would be, starting from the front row.
A first win for Mercedes in 2022 cannot be ruled out also, though their race pace hasn’t been as convincing by comparison to Red Bull and Ferrari. But the Silver Arrows are sharp when it comes to the pit wall and key decision-making.
Spa offers great overtaking opportunities across the layout, whether one is brave enough to make a move at Eau Rouge or get the run with DRS down the Kemmel Straight into Les Combes. The faster drivers starting from the rear can’t be ruled out of a possible trip to the podium in this case.
As one of the more demanding tracks on the calendar, expect a two-stop strategy preferred and an avoidance of the difficult hard compound. Safety Cars are also common at Spa and with more gravel on the outside of corners – mistakes will have greater consequences.
Race Information
Lights out: 11pm (AEST)
Venue: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Grid
1. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), 2. Sergio Perez (Red Bull), 3. Fernando Alonso (Alpine), 4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 5. George Russell (Mercedes), 6. Alexander Albon (Williams), 7. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren), 8. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri), 9. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), 10. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), 11. Nicholas Latifi (Williams), 12. Kevin Magnussen (Haas), 13. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), 14. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo), 15. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 16. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 17. Esteban Ocon (Alpine), 18. Lando Norris (McLaren), 19. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo), 20. Mick Schumacher (Haas)
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