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Formula One returns from its mid-season break this weekend and gets underway at one of the best stops in the world championship, at the picturesque Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Join The Roar for a live blog of the Belgian Grand Prix, starting from 11:10pm AEST.
The Belgian Grand Prix is a favourite for many, with its vast 7km circuit doubling as what looks like a scenic drive and then being a treacherous, undulating high-speed circuit.
Spa yields the longest lap of the season, thus only the grand prix being a total of 44-laps. Though is one of the toughest on the calendar.
Lewis Hamilton returns from the break with a mighty 62-point lead in the championship over his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, though are by no means favourites for the race – with Ferrari setting the early pace.
This pace was confirmed in qualifying with a front-row lockout for Ferrari, as Charles Leclerc took his third pole position of the season ahead of his teammate Sebastian Vettel – who won his last race here last year.
Seven-tenths behind the pole car was the leading Mercedes, which was Hamilton despite his crash during the final practice session. The Briton with a repaired car still managed to out-qualify his newly re-signed teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Behind the leading quartet, as for much of the season was Max Verstappen who has already won two races this season. Despite not having the immediate race pace of the leaders, the Dutchman cannot be ruled out.
Grid penalties will see the midfield jumbled up, with some key players to start from the rear of the field – including the Renault drivers who qualified as the best of the rest.
Also joining Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg with grid penalties for exceeding their power-unit limits are Carlos Sainz, Daniil Kvyat and Red Bull’s new recruit in Alexander Albon – who took an upgraded Honda this weekend.
Spa is a circuit that promotes overtaking, so there may be plenty of passing going on from the drivers coming through the field. Strategically, one-stop should be the best way to go.
It has been twelve months since Ferrari last won a race, so can they finally break the duck in Belgium?
Despite the championship not really being a factor for the remainder of 2019, there is still the potential for great racing as was the case before the mid-season break.
Tune in on The Roar from 11:10pm AEST for live blog coverage of the Belgian Grand Prix, as Formula One goes racing again.
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