Belgian GP Thread - Contains Race/Qualifying/Practice Spoilers

[Fernando]

First topic message reminder :

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.

Length of lap:

7.004km
Lap record:

1:45.108
(Kimi Räikkönen, McLaren, 2004)
Start line/finish line offset:
0.124km
Total number of race laps:
44
Total race distance:

308.052km
Pitlane speed limits:
60km/h during practice; 100km/h during qualifying/race



Changes to the circuit since 2011


► The series of drains and connecting gullies on the right between turns nine and 10 have been re-worked in order to make them flat and level with the surrounding verges.
► A section of artificial grass two metres wide has been laid behind the painted ‘kerb’ on the right between turns 10 and 11.
► An opening has been provided in the guardrail on the right of the run-off area around the outside of turn 9.
► All white lines that border the track will be painted with FIA approved, skid-resistant paint.
► A debris fence has been installed in the guardrail and wall on the right of the pit entry.

► The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps traces its origins back to the inter-war period. In 1920, the first formal racing layout used public roads between the towns of Malmedy, Stavelot and the village of Francorchamps. By the start of the F1 World Championship era, this had developed into a 14.1km circuit. After many fatalities and serious injuries, that was drastically reduced to a c.7km circuit in the late 1970s. There have been several updates to the circuit since, with many of the faster corners being reprofiled to bring the race track up to the safety standards expected of a modern grand prix circuit.
► Spa-Francorchamps was one of the venues used in 1950 for the inaugural F1 World Championship season. It has been the circuit used for the bulk of Belgian Grands Prix, hosting the race for 44 of its 56 runnings.
► The race has also been held at Nivelles (1972, ’74) and Zolder (1973, 1975-82, ’84). Spa-Francorchamps has hosted the race in all other years, barring 1957, ’59 , ’69, ’71, ’03 and ’06, when no championship Belgian Grand Prix was held.
► No driver has won the race at more than one of these venues.
► Twenty-one Belgian Grand Prix winners are also World Champions. Those drivers have never won World Championships in the years the Belgian Grand Prix has been held at circuits other than the one where they were victorious.
► 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.
► While the Belgian Grand Prix has held this end of August/start of September slot for over two decades, the calendar around it has changed dramatically. Ten years ago it was very much towards the end of the season with only three races to follow it. In 2012 it is a mid-season race, with a further eight races to come.

Source: FIA

[harryspiv]

Brilliant drive from Hulkenberg - is 4th a best ever result for Force India?

No. Fisichella 2009 at spa came 2nd behind Raikkonen

[GSC]

Grosjean gets 1 race ban.

Fully deserved, shocking driving. Very fortunate nobody was hurt.

[Guest]

Grosjean has had 7 first lap crashes in 12 starts. In todays race, judging from the images from Hamiltons car - I think Alonso is fairly lucky to be alive. Grosjeans car and wheels went extremely close to Alonso head. If the wheel had touched Alonso's head I don't think he would have survived. I am not sure a one race ban is enough for Grosjean.

[Guest]

I wonder whether it is pressure from his new team-mate Kimi Raikkonen that is causing Grosjean to take such potentially deadly risks. It also shows how much classier Raikkonen is as a driver compared to Grosjean.

4 Kimi Raikkonen Fin Lotus-Renault 131
8 Romain Grosjean Fra Lotus-Renault 76

[Gerry SA]

Sorry but comparing Kimi with Romain is like comparing apples with pears.

Everyone knows how great Kimi is. WDC plus numerous victories.

Romain is young, a little abit inexperienced. He is very quick.

Today's incident was he fault, a little too eager to impress if you ask me.

But of his 7 crashes, not all have been his fault.

In Australia Maldonado drove into him. Monaco he was hit by Alonso.

He's just had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[Fernando]

Spoiler:

Only a complete muppet would post their qualifying telemetry on twitter to 997k people

[Critical_mass]

Great race by Jenson, was never really challenged. Good come back from Vettel. Hulkenberg did brilliantly also. I also was impressed with the STRs particularly Ricciardo.

Bad luck for Lewis, Alonso and Perez. Glad they're all ok, same to Grosjean. But it was Grosjeans fault. I think Brundle summed it up nicely saying he jsut didnt have any spacial awareness and didnt give Lewis enough room.

Looking forward to Monza

[eirebilly]

I have seen the repeats of the start a few times now and although i really dont know much about F1, i know enough to say that Alonso is incredibly fortunate. That was so close.

[Critical_mass]

The onboard footage of ALonso's car was fcking scarey!!!

[Belgarion of Riva]

Spoiler:

Only a complete muppet would post their qualifying telemetry on twitter to 997k people

Indeed, Hamilton can be really stupid sometimes. What an imbecile

[Guest]

Shocking weekend for Hamilton. I agree he was clearly in the wrong for posting that twitter message but once again it is a result of a team decision or action that has ultimately affected his qualifying, just like in Barcelona.

Was a huge disappointment and a letdown to see Hamilton & Alonso out of the race after such a lengthy break. With Kimi's high downforce setup, Button was basically gifted the win. It was a great drive from Button but everyone knows that the wrong driver has won for McLaren this weekend and it's a missed opportunity with an Alonso DNF. It's always one step forward and two back as far as Hamilton & McLaren are concerned. I'm beginning to doubt whether Hamilton can win this title now, there's always some kind of story or mistake waiting to happen within McLaren and it will ulitmately cost them once again.

Thought Vettel was superb yesterday. While McLaren's main hope DNF's, Vettel is there to grab 18 valuable points. I think it's a two horse race between Alonso & Vettel and who achieves their third world title first. Grosjean was a digrace but once again it comes down to Maldonado in my opinion. He was clearly upset at his penalty so he jump starts and unnerves everyone around him and I think that's what made the inexperienced Grosjean drive the way he did.

Look forward to Monza but it's now time to show what you've got as far as Hamilton is concerned. No more mistakes, no more issues with the team........just drive.

[Guest]

Didn't Hamilton say it was his own call to ditch the new part and go with the old part at the last minute before qualifying. He said it was the wrong decision as the old part made his car slower than with the new part (even factoring in the fact the new part wasn't working as well for him as for Jensen).

[Critical_mass]

The wing wouldnt work on one car and not the other. Unless setup had something to do with it. But seems strange either way.

[Fernando]

The wing was complete rubbish in practice 3 JB decided to stick with Hamilton went back to what was comfortable for him.

[Critical_mass]

But that was because the wing didnt seem to work for Hamilton which is the confusing part.

[Fernando]

That's because he went for a high downforce set up with not a lot of straight line speed was 21st in the speed traps during qualifying

[Critical_mass]

Ah so old wing with a high downforce set up was the cause then.

[Critical_mass]

Just watching the grid walk again. Just seen MW and MB having a joke about tweeting :-/

[liverbnz]

I find the Gro punishment a little perplexing if I'm honest. Gro made a bad mistake, I'm not contesting that but was the punishment for the mistake or for the by-product of that mistake? From the report, (where there was no mention of Gro's previous first lap errs, but oddly that he took out 2 championship contenders) it seems to be the latter, which is completely inconsistent with any rulings in the past.

As for Alonso, he's a lucky boy but it seems closed cockpits are on the horizon do incidents like this will be a thing of the past.

[Critical_mass]

Id say the punishment was for the by-product and the potential it had to cause harm or death - the cars getting airbourne and not just simply sliding into eachother whilst still being grounded.

Though i think it was still possible he would have been punished even if the big crash hadnt happened and if lewis was only the one to go out of the race as a result.

[liverbnz]

Is the by-product Gro's fault though? Anything could have happened, it was just an unlucky set of events that were admittedly set off by 1 error. How many races over the years have had first lap carnage? Dozens. And how many racing bans have been handed out due the them? 1

Some of Maldonado's antics this year, Schumacher running Barricello out of road, Hamilton/Button Montreal, Webber/Vettel Turkey, Webber/Kova Valencia etc all have similarities to what Gro did yesterday, it just so happens his was early doors and caused a near miss with Alonso's head. If he had dangerously driven up the back of Alonso's car with the same result I could understand the punishment a little more, but 'alls' he did was cramp Hamilton for room.

[Critical_mass]

I agree to an extent. It was just unlucky chain of events. But i think the deciding factor is it was so close to Alonso's head. If the accident had happen and Grosjean's car hadnt got so close to Alonso's head the punishment could have been v different, if given at all.

We all know how inconsistent the stewards can be though

[GSC]

7 first laps incidents in 12 races probably did come into it even if they didn't mention it. Also the nature of the crash, he didn't give Hamilton any chance, just drove right into him.

Maldonado needs to shape up if the stewards have decided to clamp down on serial offenders

[Guest]

Interesting comments about Grosjean. I thought his driving was a disgrace and deserved the penalty. If you don't clamp down on young drivers they will never learn. It will be a great learning experience for everyone, however I still lay an amount of blame on Maldonado at starting the events to follow. Clearly annoyed at his penalty, he blatantly jump started and unnerved alot of drivers around him including the excitable Grosjean and Hamilton (reason for his slow get away). You also can't hide the fact there had been a five week lay-off, you may laugh but the majority of people who take long periods out of work do find it tough to re-adjust or possibly become rusty and in a dangerous environment as an F1 starting procedure, that has to be taken into account.

To further this, Maldonado then hits the back of another car in the re-start. Williams are in a tough position because Maldonado is clearly the no.1 driver and without his Venezuelan money the team would be in a serious financial situation. Therefore, they really can't replace him but to not have scored a single point since Barcelona is embarrasing.

I'm not sure if people have discussed this point but did anyone else see the Bernie Ecclestone interview regarding Michael Schumacher? Basically revealed that Schumacher will be retiring and that it was disappointing his return had not been a success. Now, I would of thought that Di Resta would have been a shoe-in for that drive, however I am starting to worry about Di Resta. Was clearly beaten by Sutil last season on points and now Hulkenberg is beginning to outshine Di Resta. Thoughts?

[Critical_mass]

John yes i read that. Bernie said something along the lines of "it'll be sad to see him leave us" and then when asked if he was then going to announce his retirement, Bernie said "i dont know, i dont know" haha. ooops

Seemed an honest natural couple of answers so it could well be true.

As for Di Resta he certainly has slumped. He started off reasonably well but just hasnt been there since. As you say JOhn he's been out performed. I can see him spending another season at FI. Plus depends what the out come of Lewis at Mclaren is. We still dont know if he'll stay or not... and judging by the recent events its just thrown another spanner in the works.

[Jimpy]

Interesting comments about Grosjean. I thought his driving was a disgrace and deserved the penalty. If you don't clamp down on young drivers they will never learn. It will be a great learning experience for everyone, however I still lay an amount of blame on Maldonado at starting the events to follow. Clearly annoyed at his penalty, he blatantly jump started and unnerved alot of drivers around him including the excitable Grosjean and Hamilton (reason for his slow get away). You also can't hide the fact there had been a five week lay-off, you may laugh but the majority of people who take long periods out of work do find it tough to re-adjust or possibly become rusty and in a dangerous environment as an F1 starting procedure, that has to be taken into account.

To further this, Maldonado then hits the back of another car in the re-start. Williams are in a tough position because Maldonado is clearly the no.1 driver and without his Venezuelan money the team would be in a serious financial situation. Therefore, they really can't replace him but to not have scored a single point since Barcelona is embarrasing.

I'm not sure if people have discussed this point but did anyone else see the Bernie Ecclestone interview regarding Michael Schumacher? Basically revealed that Schumacher will be retiring and that it was disappointing his return had not been a success. Now, I would of thought that Di Resta would have been a shoe-in for that drive, however I am starting to worry about Di Resta. Was clearly beaten by Sutil last season on points and now Hulkenberg is beginning to outshine Di Resta. Thoughts?

On the other hand, he's supposed to be a professional driver who had, prior to that start, been all the way through free practice and the qualifying sessions - I think its reasonable to expect that any cobwebs would have been blown out of his brain by the time the lights turned green.

[Jimpy]

It is emerging that Ambrosio (or whtever his name is) will take GJ's drive at Monza.

Call me old fashioned but I was under the impression that a one race ban affected the car as well as the driver? This way LOTUS can still pick up constructor's points, a bit of a swiz really.

[Guest]

Jerome D'Ambrosio will replace Grosjean this weekend. I'm actually pleased for him because it gives him a fantastic opportunity to showcase his skills as an F1 driver, something he wasn't able to do in an inferior Virgin.

If anything, it's actually good news that he's racing or has the chance to be good news. If Hamilton wins this weekend then he would be looking for other drivers such as Jerome to finish as high as possible and effectively reduce the number of points his rivals could get. Of course, it could work in the complete other way and Jerome takes out Lewis during the race.

[Fernando]

I was disappointed "Custard" was dropped last season continuously getting the better of Glock who was vastly more experienced in that car.

If he does a good job Romain might be watching over his shoulder again...

[liverbnz]

It is emerging that Ambrosio (or whtever his name is) will take GJ's drive at Monza.

Call me old fashioned but I was under the impression that a one race ban affected the car as well as the driver? This way LOTUS can still pick up constructor's points, a bit of a swiz really.

It was a ban for Gro so why would the car be banned?

[Jimpy]

It just doesn't strike me as much of a punishment. D'Ambrosio is already Lotus's 3rd driver, so he's unlikely to struggle getting the car around the circuit is he. GJ was unlikely to be a championship contender anyway, so basically, Lotus haven't lost a fat lot by the banning of GJ because they're still likely to pick up some tidy constructor's points.

Ban the man, ban the car I say. Make the punishment stick.

[Guest]

No I disagree. Grosjean should be banned for his own reckless driving, not the team. I don't know why your making this into a huge point. We all want to see as many of the car racing as possible, especially the fans who have paid money to go and watch in particular. It also gives Jerome a chance to shine, whereas if the car was banned this would not be possible. Giving young drivers the opportunity is essential for their development, especially with the limited testing in F1 nowadays.

Grosjean is banned and rightly so.

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