Belgium GP Race Report

It was a fine, sunny day in Spa as the drivers lined up on the grid.  The back of the Qualifying order was a mess with several drivers taking grid penalties for making changes to their cars.  The bottom four were Sainz, Stroll, Hadjar and Alonso.  Gloomy as it was there, the skies were clouding over and the radar weather monitors were in use, gloom growing in the skies.

It didn't take long for Verstappen to get past Antonelli off the start but he got it back.  Verstappen fell back behind him and Hamilton went into Russell and tipped him off the track.  It was all clean at the back of the pack though.  Leclerc had got past Antonelli behind the Red Bull but by lap two the Safety Car was out.  It would be a very early pit stop but cheap; the hardest tyre could go to the end of the race; no one really risked it.

Antonelli held it well at the restart but Verstappen was quickly past Leclerc, the Ferraris struggling for straight line speed.  Piastri was not far behind, wanting that third place for himself.  When he did go for it, Leclerc cut him off and Piastri lost a bit of his car in the process; it would affect his aerodynamics for the first half of the race until he changed his tyres.  Piastri said that he did not leave enough space (so he could overtake?).

Bearman snitched on Sainz, pointing out over the radio that the Williams' wing was hanging awkwardly.  We couldn't see it because that would give the team airtime and they probably don't record the Williams cars anyway.

Verstappen was the first to pit from the front-runners and almost lost the advantage when a Virtual Safety Car was called to allow the marshals to clear some debris from the track.  It didn't last long and all was well.  Antonelli pitted which put the Ferraris at the front.  Hamilton was angry that Ferrari had not gone with the tyre strategy that he wanted and he had not noticed.  They may not have told him he also had a five second time penalty for his collision with Russell, even though the Mercedes driver thought it was a racing incident.  Leclerc got away with his coming-together with Piastri though.  

The VSC came again and this time both Ferraris pitted; they were double-stacked and it was perfectly timed although Hamilton had to wait five seconds and then he nearly ran over a mechanic.  Leclerc was able to jump Antonelli.  Piastri pitted and he had been scrapping with Norris despite allowing him past a couple of laps earlier.  Norris took the lead, having started in 13th place.  

From there, Norris's tyres deteriorated until he fell right back and then was given a 7.8 second pit stop which meant he came out of the pits and into eighth.  Hadjar fought back from the back of the grid.  It was inevitable that with clever deployment of the tools available to him, Antonelli took the lead back eventually and maintained it to the end.  Leclerc was happy with his second place and Verstappen happy with third.  The most upset man at the track was Russell.

What was notable about this race?  Ferrari had plenty of opportunities to Ferrari up this race and didn't.  There seems to be nothing the plucky and unlucky George Russell can do to catch a break.  Antonelli seems pretty unstoppable and not in a Piastri way which was stoppable.  This season, upgrades are not enough.  Weather radars mean nothing in Spa.

Belgium GP Qualifying Report

First Gasly and then Hamilton crashed into the same bit of wall during Free Practice; Gasly gave his team 24 hours more to fix the car before Qualifying.  Everyone was ready for the first session and we were having an unusual Spa because the weather was not top of the agenda.  There were no shock exits in the bottom six: Albon, Ocon, Bottas, Perez, Alonso and Stroll.  It was Norris, Verstappen and Hadjar at the top of the time sheet with the highest running Mercedes being Russell in fifth.  Was it looking like the battle to bring upgrades was finally paying off?

Antonelli was back at the top after the second session.  The bottom siz were Lawson, Gasly, Colapinto, Hulkenberg, Sainz and Bearman.  

Between sessions, Hulkenberg had to retire his car at the side of the track because of a hydraulics leak.  He was removed quickly.  With six minutes to go, the final session was Red Flagged and stopped because there was gravel on the track.  Norris was fairly close to pole but abandoned his last lap allowing Antonelli to take it.  Behind him was Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Piastri, Linblad, Bortoleto and Hadjar who did not set a time despite going out to give his team mate a tow.

Hadjar will start at the back of the grid and Norris will move back ten places, both for taking on new parts to their cars.  It still looks like an interesting front row to start the Belgian Grand Prix with although I feel it is inevitable that Verstappen will lead the first ten laps or so before Antonelli takes over for the win.

Belgium GP Race Report

The drivers looked pretty unhappy to be put on the back of a truck and toured around the track in the cold, wet Belgian weather.  They should also have been down in the dumps about McLaren now having twice as many points as their nearest competitor (Ferrari) half way through the season.  

Then, as they drove their own cars around to get to the grid, it started to rain and the crowd put on their ponchos.

Brundle and Rosberg cornered Jos Verstappen on the grid, who was very uncomfortable answering questions about Horner's sacking and also uncomfortable answering questions about the weather, which should have been a safe topic for conversation.

Alonso, Antonelli, Hamilton and Sainz, the bottom four apart from Stroll in Qualifying, would be starting from the pit lane.  This could have been a very good choice given the conditions.

There was a long, long delay whilst we watched a tractor clearing water from the track; with shots of amusing signs created by the crowd and scenes from inside the pits.  Eventually, they went out on intermediate tyres behind the Safety Car for two trial laps.  

A rolling start was soon underway and it wasn't long until Piastri got past Norris.  There was a problem with his electrical system.  LeClerc did well to hold Verstappen off despite tyres that fell off quickly.  On Lap 12, Hamilton (then Gasly and Hulkenberg) came in for the first sets of slick tyres.  Piastri followed suit, just as DRS was enabled, and they couldn't double stack as they were so close.  A stream of drivers (pretty much everyone) followed them in on the following lap.  In the pits LeClerc pulled out of his box in front of his friend Albon (nothing came of it).

It was clear immediately how much of an advantage the dry tyres gave.  Hamilton was putting in quickest laps and had jumped into the points.  The racing started in earnest.  The Saubers were in 9th and 10th and they moved Bortoleto in front of newly-podiumed Hulkenberg to try and attack Lawson.

Despite Norris trying a bit, he never looked to have a shot of getting the lead back.  Still, at least he had it for a few hundred metres.  LeClerc did an outstanding job of holding back Verstappen to finish third, despite shouting at his colleagues who were providing an inconsistent level of support over the radio.  Hamilton did well coming from the pit lane to finish 7th but couldn't overtake Albon.

You have to wonder whether McLaren have learnt their lesson from last year, when Norris lost the drivers championship.  Will they ask Lando to support Oscar to secure it this year?  It was a real grimace of a smile as he congratulated his team mate.

Off the podium but in the points was Verstappen, Russell, Albon, Hamilton, Lawson, Bortoleto and Gasly.  It was a very quiet day for the stewards.  When was the last race with no penalties awarded?

There is only a week off until the last race before the summer holiday.  How hot will it be in Hungary?  Will things reach boiling point between the McLaren drivers?  Will Bottas announce that he is driving for Cadillac?

Belgium GP Qualifying Report

Fresh information about the track and how cars were running on it had been gained by the teams during the Sprint Race in the morning.  Skinny wings were the way forward.  However, rain was predicted for the Race the next day.  Some drivers made adaptions for this; others didn't.  Some teams split the strategy across their pair of cars.

In the rush to get out into the pit lane to get going for Qualifying, Hulkenberg nudged his way out and Stroll ran over his front wing and broke it.  There were some quick laps, nothing to mention.  Norris won the head to head with his team mate to take the fastest lap.    It looked like it might be between Hamilton and Gasly to see who would be out in 16th.  Out went three rookies and both Aston Martins in their worst outing for a long long time (possibly ever): Bortoleto, Colapinto, Antonelli, Alonso, Stroll.

Between sessions, Hamilton had his lap time deleted and this gave a reprieve to Bortoleto and he was 16 and out after all.  He said it was unacceptable to be out in the first session for both qualifying sessions at this track and took the blame, saying he would apologise to the team.

The second session proceeded much as the first only Verstappen was confident with his time and saved some tyres, not going out for a second fast lap.  It looked like Ocon might knock Albon out but, even with a purple first sector, couldn't manage it.  Out went Ocon, Bearman, Gasly, Hulkenberg and Sainz.  Williams' performance is improving under Vowle's leadership but they can't seem to get both cars in on it at the same time.

In the final shoot out, LeClerc did manage a faster lap but it was between Verstappen, Norris and Piastri, who traded quickest laps.  Russell put in a couple of purple (best time set so far) sectors but overall it wasn't quick enough.  Albon was the last person across the line and even beat Russell to get 5th.  Verstappen was lacking grip in his Red Bull and it was enough to cost him pole and even third place as LeClerc did have more in himself.  Out of the two McLarens, it was Norris who put in the fastest lap to take pole.  It was needed as Piastri had it yesterday.  The top ten finishing order was Norris, Piastri, LeClerc, Verstappen, Albon, Russell,  Tsunoda, Hadjar, Lawson and Bortoleto.

Belgium GP Sprint Report

With Antonelli and Hamilton both taking their top tier cars out of Sprint Qualifying in the first session, the Sprint Race could have been very spicy with the grid jumbled up and drivers wishing to advance.  Colapinto would be starting from the pit lane and took the chance to reduce his wing size.  Piastri would be keen to maintain his position at the front and further stake his claim to the world championship.

There was drama on the way to the grid as Gasly was told to bring his car in to box but he went to his slot and had to be wheeled off with a water leak.

It was Piastri versus Verstappen off the grid with only 15 laps to battle it out.  Neither will have wanted to damage their car ahead of Qualifying that afternoon.  Verstappen waited a couple of corners and took the lead, with LeClerc getting past Norris.  It was all down to the skinny wings.  

Three laps later, Norris was able to retake the position.  The long Spa laps took an age to play out.  And then, all of a sudden, they had passed.  The McLarens had been unable to challenge the Red Bull.  Apart from those two early overtakes there was only one other, which made the event slightly pointless, more of a tyre test than a race.  Obviously it was Hamilton and Albon past Alonso at the back for no points on the last lap.

So it was Verstappen ahead of Piastri, Norris, LeClerc, Ocon, Sainz, Bearman and Hadjar, in that order, in the points.  Lawson, in his Racing Bull, finished one place ahead of "promoted" Tsunoda in his Red Bull.  Can Mekies make a difference to the team?  Will we discover as the season drives slowly downhill to it's end how much Horner had been Ferrariing things up?

Belgium GP Race Report

The beady eye of Ted Kravitz spotted that there was fluid leaking from Hamilton's Mercedes as it left the pit lane.  The team were confident that it would have no ill effect.

Tsunoda and Verstappen had taken their grid penalties and were starting further back.  It might have been interesting to see them move through the pack.

All cars started with medium tyres apart from Sainz playing the long, hard game and Ricciardo going for a punchy, soft start (it didn't work out well for him).  Hamilton got a great start and Perez went aggressive to block him off, losing the place.  Norris made an awful start and lost two places.  With DRS enabled, Hamilton was close to the leader and past LeClerc on lap 3.

As always, when Hamilton is in the lead, the worries started to come.  This time he was feeling something moving down by his legs.  As always, it came to nothing.

Most drivers took a pit stop within fairly quick succession of each other; apart from Sainz who kept going on his hard tyres, Norris also stayed out as long as possible.  There were no big winners or losers and everyone pretty much held position.

The pack stayed close together.  Piastri put in the quickest times and was able to overtake LeClerc for a place on the podium with ten laps to go.  Determined to make the tyres last a very long time, Russell held on to first place.  No one was sure how he had got there, other than one-stopping.  His team mate was close behind him and they were allowed to race.

Unusually for Spa, there were no Safety Cars.  There was a delight in witnessing a race where you could see all three cars together on the home straight and it was an olden days classic in that we weren't watching Verstappen ten plus seconds out ahead.  The lack of a safety car was to be Russell's undoing as he was later disqualified for not having sufficient fuel on board for testing at the end of the race.  This was due to using up more fuel than usual, not having any slow laps behind Burt.  Russell really celebrated the victory and Spa is one that you would want to win and it was due to his call to change to a one-stop strategy.  He danced up to embrace his engineers.

We head into the summer break, Verstappen moved up to fifth from eleventh and Perez went backwards from second to eighth.  Will we expect an announcement from Red Bull?

Belgium GP Qualifying Report

It had been a rainy weekend so far and the Qualifying sessions were too.

There was a queue of cars to leave the pits with two thirds of the cars getting out quickly.  Different teams had different forecasts though and McLaren thought the rain was coming soonest.  This meant that the cars out first were clearing away the rainwater for others.  The track started to dry off.  Piastri took the fastest lap.  Zhou went out last with his team mate commendably finishing 12th.  Predictably Sargeant was 19th, then Tsunoda, who would be starting at the back of the grid anyway.  The two Haas, both drivers now confirmed as departing the team at the end of the season, were 16th and 17th.

The second session was drier but with conditions changing ever so slightly to mix up the order.  Out went Albon, Gasly, Ricciardo, Bottas and Strolll (who had to have his car rebuilt after a big off in practice).

The drivers went into the third session also unsure what the weather would throw at them.  Slowly, everyone made their best laps and then again.  Verstappen took, what feels like, a comeback pole; although he will be starting 10 places back after taking new parts for his car.  LeClerc pulled out an excellent lap to come in second and Perez finally showed a bit of pace and was third.  Behind them was Hamilton, Norris, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Alonso and Ocon.

Despite starting second, Perez still could tell his interviewer that he could win the race from that position.  Has he lost all confidence?

Belgium GP Race Report

The biggest talking point before the race was how many laps before Verstappen would be in the lead.  I reckoned he would overtake one car per lap, so 5 laps, as he had had a 5 lap penalty for a gear box change.  

LeClerc held the start for the briefest of rides before Perez overtook him after a couple of corners for the lead.  Piastri sustained damage, coming in to contact with Sainz, and fell back to last, before stopping at the side of the track.  Sainz also accrued serious aero damage, a shredded side, and was a sitting duck and we watched Alonso overtake him (ultimately, it would quietly retire too).  By Lap 4 Verstappen was still in P4.  The overtakes I wanted to see though, were those by Albon, first Stroll, then Norris, having moved from 15th to 8th.  Albon then took poor Sainz.

On Lap 6, Verstappen overtook Hamilton for 3rd and a podium position.  Then a few rounds later, he got past LeClerc for second and now only had to overtake his team mate.  Meanwhile, further back, some drivers took a pit stop.  Norris was struggling with everything and despite some cheery team radio, he just couldn't find a way to make the car work and feel positive about it.  He seemed to have a dreadful race.

There were a few more pitstops and some discussion of rain coming, then it was Lap 17 and Verstappen was past his team mate.

Just as the rain came down and the spectators put on their waterproof ponchos, Norris came in for a very slow stop and put on dry tyres.  The precipitation never came to much as it was gone as soon as it was talked about and blue skies shone over Spa once again.

Verstappen built up a half a minute lead over Perez and earned himself a free pit stop.

After 44 long laps, Hamilton pitted for fresh tyres to try for Fastest Lap and the accompanying point but Verstappen kept that in his pocket.  Norris, amazingly, ended up 7th.  The Ferrari of LeClerc claimed the third spot on the podium.  And now we go on holiday for three weeks; not me but Formula 1.  And when we come back, Verstappen can continue winning.

Belgium GP Sprint Report

The change from August to July for our annual jaunt to the land of rain, in the hope of less rain, meant it was still raining for the Sprint Shootout - or Sprint Qualifying as I like to call it.  The start of the session was delayed as it bucketed down.  When we did start, all cars went out on Intermediate tyres...why not send them out earlier on Wet tyres?

There were no surprises for those who went out after the shorter first session: Zhou, Bottas, Tsunoda (the rise of Ricciardo), Hulkenberg and Magnussen.

In the second session, all drivers were again on Intermediate tyres, designed for a wet but drying track.  Aston Martin threw the dice and switched to dry tyres, with Stroll.  He handled it well for a few corners before being sent into the wall and bringing out a Red Flag and ending the session.  Unfortunately Albon and Stroll's team mate Alonso, were out on their only laps sending both Williams, both Aston Martins and Ricciardo out.

Just as with Race Qualifying, Verstappen pulled out a great last minute lap to claim pole position as the last driver over the line.  Rookie Piastri put his McLaren next to him; a fantastic lap as he hasn't been racing here for 3 years.  Sainz took a rare victory over his team mate LeClerc as they line up 3rd and 4th.  Norris was next, alongside a great job from Gasly.  Then Hamilton and Perez, Ocon and Russell.

Everyone went for some lunch before the sprint race itself started.  However just as it was due to start, the heavens opened and it rained again.  The cars were parked on the grid, so the gazebos went up.  Russell and Wolff had a little banter about the weather, starting with how sorry George felt for the crowd.  It stopped raining and then started again.  A rolling start sort-of started with the Safety Car leading them round on several formation laps.  It felt like a very long time because this is Spa and the track is very very long.  They kept going, even when Verstappen said they might be able to go for Intermediate tyres.

Finally Verstappen held his first place for the rolling start and led into a 12 lap race.  Half the pack pitted, including second place man Piastri, who came out in 11th ahead of all the other stoppers.  On the next lap, the other half pitted (apart from Ocon) and Verstappen came out behind Piasti, leading a grand prix for the first time.  It was chaos in the pit lane and I'm amazed that no "unsafe release" penalties were awarded.

What would happen on Lap 3?  Alonso, celebrating his 78th birthday, went into the wall and brought out the Safety Car.  The whole day shows a dramatic demise for the team.  On Lap 6 the race restarted and Piastri was unable to hold Verstappen off for more than a couple of corners.  Behind them his team mate was overtaken by Hamilton, Sainz and then LeClerc.  Ricciardo was running in 9th and just outside the top 8 places which receive points.  Perez, having been the king of tyre management, couldn't warm them up.  As Norris went for the overtake, he spun off and rejoined the track in 16th putting the rival for his seat into the points.  Red Bull decided to pit and retire the car.  Verstappen was also having problems with his tyres but not enough not to win the race.  

Hamilton was given a rather unfair penalty for his overtake attempt on Perez.  The final order was Verstappen, Piastri and Gasly (with the departing Alpine personnel putting in a good showing to add to their CVs).

No one seemed to know what the rules were for a Sprint format: not the FIA and not the Sky F1 team.  As Piastri pointed out, he was delighted to be not-on-the-podium for this not-quite-a-race.  The drivers were awarded their funny little plaque thingys.  The luxe version of a Blankety Blank chequebook and pen.

There seem to be a number of contenders for the second two spots on the podium in the main race and there is always the hope that Verstappen will spin like Alonso did today, or be penalised like Hamilton was today as he comes though the pack from 5th.  Maybe he will suffer damage like Perez or take a fever.  I remember when these things used to happen but they don't seem to be happening to Max this season.  It must be odd to be him at the moment: on top of your profession but aware that everyone is waiting for your downfall eagerly.  He probably doesn't' realise though.

Belgium GP Qualifying Report

The breaking news was that someone ignored HR's advice and fired the top two dogs at Alpine at the start of the race event.  Alan Pomaine and Otmar Schnafhauzer had to work the weekend and would then be given a year's gardening leave, whilst Pomaine had worked at the team for 34 years.  I'm assuming that redundancy will cost Alpine a full year's cost-capped budget.

Instagram was full of pictures of how wet it has been in Spa but the rain stopped just in time for Quaifying so everyone had to wait 10 minutes for the track to drain of water.  Qualifying did not continue smoothly.  Sargeant had to get a new gearbox fitted but did get out for Q1.  Albon was impeded by Verstappen.  Norris took a bumpy trip through the gravel and had possible front wing damage.  Track limits violations rang up every lap.

Hulkenberg had hydraulic problems and only set a tester lap and went out.  Ricciardo went through but on a lap where he went out of track limits, so was out.  Both Williams went out with Zhou too.

In Q2, the big talking points were the drying track and slick tyres and then Ocon hit the wall and damaged his front wing.  Ricciardo's team mate went first briefly at the end of the session, putting DannyRic to shame.  As the seconds ticked down, the track improved and improved.  Versappen put in a spectactualy poor lap and got through in 10th.  Out went Tsunoda, Gasly, Magnussen, Bottas and Ocon.  Verstappen got very swearing on the radio and his engineer came back equally snappy.

In the final Qualifying session, we hoped that pole was open to more drivers than just Verstappen but ultimately it was Verstappen.  As he is taking a 5 place grid penalty for a gearbox change, LeClerc will be promoted to pole, then Peres, Hamilton, Sainz, Piastri outqualifying Norris, Russell, Alonso and Stroll.

Belgium GP Race Report

The race start was initially all clear with Alonso making a great get away into second.  Less great for the Williams, who started 6th and 11th and fell way back to 7th and 12th almost immediately.  Then Hamilton shunted Alonso, flying across the top of him and causing his own retirement.  Perez was back in second but completely undeservedly.

Lap 2 saw a Safety Car come out as Latifi (surely not driving again next year...Ricciardo for Williams?) put a tyre into the gravel and spun, taking out Bottas.

Verstappen cruised along, carving up the competition, with no one putting up much resistance.  This looked like it could have been a day for an underdog to swoop in for a glorious points position.  For Alonso, this would have proved he is not too old for this game.  For Ricciardo, it would prove he deserves a drive somewhere next season.  However he was overtaken by Albon in his Williams so there we go.  For Albon, this race was a chance to show off Williams' straight line speed and wave two fingers at Red Bull (as it goes passed him).

Once a quarter of the race had passed, Verstappen was behind his team mate and calling for him to move over.  Perez obviously fought hard and nearly took him out...no he didn't.  When Verstappen finally pitted from the lead, Sainz took the lead back.  LeClerc was a couple of places back and looking to overtake Perez, who did fight hard and nearly take him out.  In this case though, Russell overtook him.

When Verstappen did catch up with Sainz though, before half distance, it was an easy overtake.  With the Red Bulls firmly in the lead, the race focused on Albon and Ricciardo's fight for 9th.  The Battle of the Red Bull Rejects, if you will.

The second pit stop window opened and Ferrari double-stacked, with one tyre being slightly slow for LeClerc.  This wasn't too bad as he was, crucially, out ahead of Albon (!).  I imagine Alonso giving an "I told you so" shrug in his cockpit after a slow pit stop.

Then in a shock turn of events, Hamilton gave an interview and admitted that the crash with Alonso was his fault.

With five laps to go, Norris reported to his team that he was "really struggling" with his tyres.  He was told it was "too late for Plan G".  I assume Plan G wasn't to be part of the Albon train.

Ferrari hadn't really done too much to cock up their own race, until the last lap, when they pitted LeClerc to go for fresh tyres to get the fastest lap point.  Unfortunately they brought him out right in front of  Alonso, who immediately overtook him but he got the place back in the last few corners, not managing fastest lap.

Verstappen made winning look so easy.  All eyes on 2023 now.

Helmet cam was back and the porpoising looked dreadful, I don't know why we haven't seen anybody vomit into their own helmet yet.  I also wonder what Bottas and Hamilton said to each other as they sat and watched the race.

Belgium GP Qualifying Report

All the talk in Belgium was of Alonso and Ricciardo with a sprinkling of fear over the future of the race track.

Danny Ric's luck continued to plummet in the first session of Qualifying, just behind his team mate, he had a lap time disqualified and found himself falling down the grid as drivers popped in their last lap.  He did make it through though.  Albon put in a great lap to go 6th and Vettel was knocked out.

The big scalps in the second session were Ricciardo and Gasly.  The big news was Albon through, this seeming to be a great track for Williams.

In the final session, team mates were helping each other with a tow and every driver was tripping up another driver.  LeClerc gave Sainz a tow but he ruined it dropping his tyre into the gravel trap.  Albon finished 9th ahead of Norris.

With many grid penalties to be taken, it was very mixed up but impossible to understand qualifying.  Really, what was the point?  I had no idea who was starting where despite having watched the whole thing.  Perhaps, if you are taking a penalty, you should be disqualified from Qualifying and have sets of tyres removed?  Still rain predicted for the race... 

Belgium GP Race Report

Early morning posts on Instagram showed that it was still raining in Spa....so you know you're in for a thrilling race.  Forty minutes before the race, the cars took to the grid.  They all took the chance to do a couple of laps to gauge the conditions, just as I was commenting that, with the rain coming down, it was unlikely all drivers would make it round safe to the grid, Perez went over the wet paint and grass, into the wall and out of the race (just as Red Bull signed him for a second season).  Jos Capito, Team Principal of Williams, commented before the race that you could be out in the first corner or you could be on the podium.  After the formation lap, Verstappen radioed in that it was fine to race.  Further back the grid however, the drivers were complaining.  We even heard from Giovanizzi (I assume he was the only driver not to swear on the radio).  So the race was red flagged and the cars lined up in the pit lane.  Hamilton had water leaking in the top of his helmet.  I'm surprised that they're not waterproof.

And so it went on, we waited and waited.  Red Bell made a compelling case for getting Perez's car fixed and back in the race.  What did the drivers do during the break?  Alonso had a coffee, Sainz was on his phone, Norris played ball, Ricciardo clowned around, some drivers chatted to their dads.  The broadcasters were really pushing for a postponement until tomorrow, it was never going to happen but when you're desperate, you're desperate.   Mercedes pit wall personnel asked race control if they could leave their bar stools for a coffee and were given permission.  After three hours the safety car led the cars out of the pit lane.  Just to help with visibility, the Dutch fans let off their orange flares.

Spa isn't usually too dull a race but this took the biscuit.

So who were the winners and losers from this bizarre two lap, no over-taking allowed race?

Winners

Russell - got second place and half points for that position

Perez - got a "get out of jail free" card and was able to rejoin the race, after his car was fixed during the lengthy pause

Mazepin - got fastest lap, however no point (or half point) as he wasn't inside the top 10

Losers

Bottas - started 13th, finished 13th

Alonso - started 15th, finished 15th

Raikkonen - had been penalized with a pit lane start for changing his wing to one of different specification (although this meant he didn't have to sit in the rain on the grid for 25 minutes)

Ferrari - both started out of the points and finished outside the points

Norris - lucky to be able to participate in this race after his massive crash yesterday in Qualifying, both in body and car.  In the rebuild the gearbox was changed so that he was also handed a five place grid penalty. so started 15th and therefore out of the points.

The crowd - the "true fans" who stood in the rain.  Let's hope there's some financial recompense.

I was very pleased that my race predictions of Verstappen for the win and a big points haul for Williams were spot on.

Belgium GP Qualifying Report

It was a long Summer break and I was so pleased to be back to the F1 race weekend routine.

There was big news at Spa...no, not Russell vs. Bottas but the new helmet cams.  An amazing addition to the coverage, with teams worrying whether what is seen on the steering wheels might be compromising.

Even more exciting, rain!  For most of the first qualifying session, Williams were first and second, having, for once, chosen the best strategy.  Which was the intermediate tire, everyone else was on full wets when it just wasn't wet enough.  The contrast between the two Williams drivers became apparent when the rest of the field changed to inters and many of the drivers set times inbetween Russell and Latifi.  This may be the first time Latifi has made it into the second session.  Norris showed his strength in the wet conditions by finishing the session at the top, with team mate Ricciardo just scraping through. Brits are far more used to this weather than Aussies.

The rain eased off during session 2 and the fun petered out.  Norris remained at the top of the timing sheet, Ricciardo answered his doubters (somewhat) by getting through in 9th.  Latifi scored his best qualifying of his F1 career in 12th, splitting the Ferraris, who were also both out.   I guess the points haul before the break has relaxed the Canadian into F1 at last.  At least Sainz and LeClerc were in similar positions, managing to get equal amounts out of the car.  Disparities continue between Ocon (10th and through) and twice world champion Alonso (out in 14th) and Stroll (out in 15th, also son of the team owner) and four times world champion Vettel (6th and through).  All eyes are on Russell and Bottas, because most seats are secure up and down the pit lane, but here are many questions over the choice of drivers made by the teams.

Again, the weather changed for the third session, when the rain came down much harder.  Vettel and Norris were calling in on the radio for the session to end.  It did end, when Norris had a major spin.  Hot off his PR triumphs of litter-picking at Silverstone and Pride T-shirt wearing in Hungary, Vettel ignored the red flags to drive round to check Norris was okay, knowing he would be first on the scene.  Brundle had picked up the spin almost before it happened as the McLaren didn't appear on the TV coverage as the angle changed.  You forget how good he is.  

Norris's car span and span - I wonder if you just close your eyes?  Awful damage but you could see the monocoque was working.  Norris did seem to be pushing very hard, however, if he'd done it later in the session, he probably would have pole position (albeit with a pit lane start).

During the pause, Latifi commented that the Williams car would be best in the wet....well...

When the cars came out again, the condition were wet but stable.  All the cars put in a banker lap.  Then Williams pulled out another strategy coup (you wait a very long time and then two come along at once...!), having saved a set of tires.  Russell put in a pole lap but was the first to cross the line at the chequered flag.  We had to wait for Hamilton to beat him.  No.  Vettel?  No.  Verstappen?  Yes.  Russell is on the front row alongside Verstappen.  Despite being written off for most of the season, Ricciardo finished in 4th.  A thrills and spills qualifying of a true Belgian variety.  

Belgium GP - "a dream come true anyway"

The promise of a great race is always present at Spa...everyone tried their best to line one up during qualifying.  Kubica caught fire and Giovanizzi brought out the red flag.  Raikkonen sustained a leg injury through some sort of naughtiness and Hamilton crashed in FP3.  LeClerc secured pole and Russell took a Williams to the giddy heights of 14th on the grid.

Apart from the tragic events earlier in the weekend, all the elements were there (apart from the threat of rain) for an epic race, hopefully with LeClerc finally winning a race.

The lights went off and, after the first lap, what followed was not that memorable.  With Verstappen out on Lap 1, we looked elsewhere in the top 6 for the battle.  Vettel ran wide and let Hamilton through but even with this error, he easily caught him up and retook the place.  Ferrari looked strong and even a bit of tyre-strategy-jeopardy couldn't reignite the race.

Vettel let LeClerc by on Lap 26, roughly half way through the race.  I am adding this to my list of reasons why he will retire at the end of the year.  A few laps later, Hamilton overtook him.

Norris was the surprise star of the race despite LeClerc winning and it was a shame when he and Giovannizi went off on the last lap.

It's pleasing to have another race winner on the grid....but will we be regretting all this when he dominates for the next five years?

Belgium GP - Results

1. Evel Marque - 712*
2. PickedInAHurry - 685*
3. BottHaas - 666*
4. The Hope Fulls - 665*
5. Je suis Charlie - 616
6. Jack the Lad - 521
7. The Pitstop Princess - 514
8. Hippy F1 - 456*
9= Ferrari Rocher - 365
9= Francesco Bernoulli - 365*

* Home track played

Belgium GP - *click heels*

Like everyone returning back to school after the summer holidays, there was lots of gossip to catch up on.  With Alonso announcing his retirement, the opportunity for a proper reshuffle arises.  With Ricciardo already ducking out of a top drive, musical chairs begins.  Gasly and Sainz are the main beneficiaries so far but there will be more...

There's lots to discuss about the start of the Belgium race but not much after that.  After a big pile up behind them, the top first four drivers were four a breast at one point on the first lap.  And two of those cars were Force India or the Team Formerly Known as Force India. 

Alonso was out of his last race at Spa. How many more last chances to see him race are we going to be deprived of?  Anyone going to be tuning into IndyCar now?  Me neither.

Things went from bad (not having enough petrol in the tank to finish qualifying) to worse (a puncture from a shunt) for Raikkonen.  He made three trips to his pit in nine laps and then retired.

After that some cars went round in a circle.

Belgian GP - Results

1. Two World Champions, two future World Champions and, um, two other guys - 753*
2. No Vices Now - 729*
3= Bernie is a hobbit - 682*
3= Evel Marque - 682*
5. Hoping for an Indian Summer - 675*
6. The Pitstop Princess - 633
7. Torque of the Devil - 630
8. Moneyball - 624
9. Even more hopeful - 590*
10. Jenson's Whinging Legacy - 544
11. Burn After Racing - 523*
12. Beauty & the F1 Geek - 495
13. BOT-RAI-PER - 482*
14. Hippy F1 - 416*
15. Slightly Slower Racing - 398

*Home track played

Belgium GP - "..."

No winning radio transmission from Hamilton and not much to say from me.  When did Belgium become disappointing?

This year the track really suffered from "Curse of the Home Race" with honorary Belgian Verstappen going out on Lap 8 and genuine Belgian Van Doorne starting right at the back of the grid.  How can a land that gave the world chips with mayonnaise be so cruel?

It turned it's attention to Raikkonen on Lap 16 with a ten second penalty, depriving us poor spectators of yet more action: "What do you mean?  It was at the side of the road!"  Alonso decided that we should no longer enjoy his team radio: "No more radio for the rest of the race."

Force India drivers did their best to spice up the race, with Race Control "noting" their childish spats.  Vettel's attempt to give the race a little drama by having a slow second pit stop, did nothing but hand the race to Hamilton.  My drive of the day goes to Ricciardo, who at least overtook Bottas and Raikkonen.

The analysis of the race has given me more to comment on than the race.  Webber believed it to have been: "an absolutely amazing display from the top three drivers".  What?  Of driving unchallenged?  Hamilton answered his first podium question with the usual: "The crowd have been amazing."  Followed by some controversial (?) "Irish orange" stuff.  His second question was answered with something about: "Dreams do come true."  And to think that some people might want to hear about his racing?  Ricciardo got the biggest cheers, which is well justified.  Bottas got a review from his boss of: "performance not good."  Well, he's been resigned for next year, so he's probably resting on his laurels now.

Raikkonen has also been resigned for next season.  Which cements for me that he has some sort of incriminating information about someone high up in Ferrari.

Belgium GP - "Awesome result"

A race that has to be written about in prose...

Following an artificially exciting qualifying, the track and grid combined promised a great race.  And then...how many times did I need to rewatch that start?!  Rosberg went off like lightening, I thought Verstappen was in the lead for a while.  How did Vettel keep going after that shunt?  Next, Sainz blew a tyre: E for effort in trying to get that car back to the pits.  The F1 bleeper editor was working overtime although missed a big F from Sainz and then some more from Raikkonen in a couple of laps time.  Next, we saw Raikkonen's car on fire, cue the puns.  DC contributed: "gone up in smoke".  I needed the virtual safety car on Lap 3 to catch my breath.  Next thing I knew, Button was being interviewed on Lap 5.  Just as I was wondering why was Massa up in the top 5 and then suddenly 13th on lap 6, Magnussen completely smashed the tyre wall to smithereens.  He was limping but okay but I don't think I've ever seen the insides of a car like that.  With the race red-flagged, I was amazed to discover that Alonso was in 4th place.  Bedward reported that a Williams mechanic was "slightly injured" - he had dislocated his knee.  Bedward is the Black Knight of F1.  As the race unfolded that action lessened, Raikkonen really brought the racing (and the swearing) and it doesn't seem fitting that he finished with only 2 points.  The action switched to the pit lane with Hamilton suffering a poor tyre change then Alonso and Hulkenberg battling it out.

At the end of the race, I felt that if Rosberg hadn't have won this race, he really wouldn't be a fitting world champion.  The booing was unnecessary though.