It's time for the big one. Formula One heads to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend for the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix. How will drivers and teams fare on the most iconic circuit on the calendar?
Image credit: Red Bull Content Pool
We have past the halfway point in the season and a Max Verstappen championship come Abu Dhabi is looking more and more likely. In fact, Red Bull now holds the record for the most consecutive wins - 12 - and Verstappen is the winning-est driver with Red Bull - 41 wins.
However, the rest of the grid is where excitement lies with now four teams consistently fighting for the podium in the shape of Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and Aston Martin. That fierce battle is sure to continue as the circus heads to Belgium and the Ardennes Forest. This weekend is the Belgian Grand Prix taking place at Spa-Francorchamps, a truly iconic circuit. Here are the stories as we go into the weekend.
Following the accident, several drivers - namely Stroll and Gasly - spoke out about the Spa layout with the Eau Rouge-Radaillon section taking much of the brunt. It seems the recent widening of run-off around the crest has not resolved issues these racers had with the track. They are now calling out for a total reconfiguration of the section. In fact, the blind crest just after a compression point has frequently caused issues with drivers unable to see obstacles at the top of the hill.
This subject is sure to be of great concern throughout the weekend, especially given the conditions expected for each day.
This now means that every European F1 event this year has been plagued with rain. Whilst most events have seen practice sessions or qualifying take place on a wet track, this weekend is set for rain across each session, even the race. Therefore, teams can't afford to preserve the cars during wet practice sessions. Drivers will need to get their eye in on the damp conditions to understand where grip is out on-track.
Expect to see drivers pushing the limits and going beyond them as early as FP1 this afternoon. Getting through each session in one piece without damaging their confidence all whilst learning and gathering data will be crucial for the drivers.
Whilst the last two year's sprint events added little to the spectacle, 2023's Sprint format has certainly injected a level of spice into the racing. No longer does the Sprint Race set the grid for Sunday's GP. Now, the Sprint Race and qualifying - otherwise known as Shootout - are a separate entity. As for the standard sessions, Qualifying on Friday sets the grid for Sunday's GP.
With little to no practice and the sole session outside of Parc Fermé rules taking place in the rain, the order may well find itself mixed up. Little can be done to the cars from Qualifying on Friday evening onwards. So the setups the teams have come the end of FP1 are more or less the setups they will run as late as Sunday afternoon.
Qualifying: 17:00-18:00 CET
Sprint Race: 16:30-17:30 CET
Who will win the 2023 Formula One Belgian Grand Prix?
Image credit: Red Bull Content Pool
We have past the halfway point in the season and a Max Verstappen championship come Abu Dhabi is looking more and more likely. In fact, Red Bull now holds the record for the most consecutive wins - 12 - and Verstappen is the winning-est driver with Red Bull - 41 wins.
However, the rest of the grid is where excitement lies with now four teams consistently fighting for the podium in the shape of Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and Aston Martin. That fierce battle is sure to continue as the circus heads to Belgium and the Ardennes Forest. This weekend is the Belgian Grand Prix taking place at Spa-Francorchamps, a truly iconic circuit. Here are the stories as we go into the weekend.
Circuit discussions
Last month, during the 2023 24 Hours of Spa, the Formula Regional support race saw a horrific accident in wet conditions claim the life of a young Dutch driver, Dilano van 't Hoff. This terrible news shocked the motorsport world and the impact did not miss the Formula One community.Following the accident, several drivers - namely Stroll and Gasly - spoke out about the Spa layout with the Eau Rouge-Radaillon section taking much of the brunt. It seems the recent widening of run-off around the crest has not resolved issues these racers had with the track. They are now calling out for a total reconfiguration of the section. In fact, the blind crest just after a compression point has frequently caused issues with drivers unable to see obstacles at the top of the hill.
This subject is sure to be of great concern throughout the weekend, especially given the conditions expected for each day.
Belgian Grand Prix weather
Much like the Spa 24 weekend, the Belgian GP is set for rain across each of the three days of the race weekend. Check your favourite forecast app or website and you will spot heavy rainfall on both Friday, Saturday and Sunday.This now means that every European F1 event this year has been plagued with rain. Whilst most events have seen practice sessions or qualifying take place on a wet track, this weekend is set for rain across each session, even the race. Therefore, teams can't afford to preserve the cars during wet practice sessions. Drivers will need to get their eye in on the damp conditions to understand where grip is out on-track.
Expect to see drivers pushing the limits and going beyond them as early as FP1 this afternoon. Getting through each session in one piece without damaging their confidence all whilst learning and gathering data will be crucial for the drivers.
Sprint race number three
If rain wasn't enough carnage this weekend, the drivers and teams will have to gather as much information as they can, and perfect their setups in just one hour of Free Practice 1. In fact, the Belgian Grand Prix will be the third Sprint weekend of 2023. this means that one practice session flings the paddock into a succession of qualifying sessions and races throughout Saturday and Sunday.Whilst the last two year's sprint events added little to the spectacle, 2023's Sprint format has certainly injected a level of spice into the racing. No longer does the Sprint Race set the grid for Sunday's GP. Now, the Sprint Race and qualifying - otherwise known as Shootout - are a separate entity. As for the standard sessions, Qualifying on Friday sets the grid for Sunday's GP.
With little to no practice and the sole session outside of Parc Fermé rules taking place in the rain, the order may well find itself mixed up. Little can be done to the cars from Qualifying on Friday evening onwards. So the setups the teams have come the end of FP1 are more or less the setups they will run as late as Sunday afternoon.
How to watch the Belgian Grand Prix
The 2023 Belgian Grand Prix will as always be available live on F1 TV as well as the many national broadcasting networks around the world. If you're looking to catch up on all the competitive running this weekend, remember to tune in on Friday afternoon for the first practice session with running taking place all throughout Saturday. Here are those crucial session times.Friday
Free Practice: 13:30-14:30 CETQualifying: 17:00-18:00 CET
Saturday
Sprint Shootout: 12:00-12:44 CETSprint Race: 16:30-17:30 CET
Sunday
Grand Prix: 15:00 CETWho will win the 2023 Formula One Belgian Grand Prix?
