2024 Formula One Belgian Grand Prix Preview

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Image: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images

WHO ARE YOU SUPPORTING THIS WEEKEND?

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Round fourteen of the Formula One World Championship takes us to Belgium at the sim racers favourite,
Spa-Francorchamps. After the thrilling and controversial event that was the Hungarian Grand Prix, Spa is shaping up to be another classic.

What did you think about Oscar Piastri's maiden victory? After the controversial finish, McLaren stayed very quiet and continued like nothing was wrong. Could it all boil over at McLaren in Belgium this weekend?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1815688885747265698

Esteban Ocon to Join Haas in 2025​

Haas has signed Alpine’s Esteban Ocon on a multi-year contract to partner rookie teammate, Ollie Bearman, in 2025. Ahead of the final race before the break, and at the track where Ocon made his F1 debut in 2016, Haas announced Ocon would take the vacant seat left by the departing Kevin Magnussen.

With Ocon joining the American outfit in 2025, Haas have a Grand Prix winner in one of their seats for the first time in the teams would become the first Grand Prix winner to race one of their cars since they entered the sport in 2016.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1816382961379598835

The Frenchman has driven for Manor (2016), Force India (2017–2018), Mercedes reserve driver (2019), Renault (2020), Alpine (2021–2024). Haas will be the sixth team Ocon has driven for since his debut in 2016, although Renault became Alpine in 2021.

Spa's Brand New Track Surface​

Spa's track surface has been replaced for this weekend's grand prix. In the past, new track surfaces have caused teams a lot of problems. From the slippery and greasy Istanbul circuit to the grainy and deteriorating state of the Las Vegas strip. How will teams cope at the new Spa?

Formula One places a heavy strain on the circuit's surface, especially in the braking zones and fast bends because of the power and speed at which they are putting the power down. Over a long period, the track surface will begin to deteriorate and will therefore require resurfacing.

The Pirelli tyre choices for this weekend:
C2 as P Zero White hard
C3 as P Zero Yellow medium
C4 as P Zero Red soft

https://twitter.com/x/status/1815696514120843354

Max Verstappen Takes 10-place Grid Penalty​

The Dutchman is set to receive a ten-place grid penalty at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix. Verstappen has been on a knife edge ever since Canada when Red Bull had to introduce a fourth Honda powertrain. However, Verstappen has won the last two races at the circuit after similar grid penalties.

Unfortunately for Verstappen, his grid penalty is not the only reason his name is in the headlines. The Red Bull ace has had an official warning for his team regarding his sim racing antics before the Hungarian Grand Prix. Red Bull has officially banned him from competing in any events before a Grand Prix.

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Red Bull's Max Verstappen at last weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix. Image: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images

When to Watch the Belgian Grand Prix (UTC)​

Friday
Free Practice One - 11:30-12:30
Free Practice Two - 15:00-16:00

Saturday
Free Practice Three - 10:30-11:30
Qualifying - 14:00-15:00

Sunday
Race Starts - 13:00

Who are you supporting at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix? Let us know in the poll above or down in the comments!
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About author
Connor Minniss
Connor Minniss
Website Content Editor & Motorsport Photographer aiming to bring you the best of the best within the world of sim racing.

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P
Damage Inc said:
aussies seems to think Lando is ****, I wonder what that means about those behind Lando eh?! (note I'm not 100% serious just jibing the Aussies, Oscar is a class act (just not as fast as Lando ;) )
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Oscar puts the fire under Lando's ass though, he wouldn't perform at this level if Ricciardo was still his teamie.

Also, a kind reminder: Lando spent his first two seasons as Sainz's teamie. He got beaten by him in both.
 
Durge Driven
Slapped said:
Oh come on, if you watch that post qualifying interview it's clear that he was making a joke, and making light of the situation. Here it is just in case.

Click to expand...

Sorry I don't see it that way, he was on the podium ? and that is the best he could come up with ?
I call that sour grapes.
McLaren fan is not having a joke either.
 
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Durge Driven
Slapped said:
Seriously, you're not the only one here who knows exactly what they can and can't do. For example I've been informed on numerous occasions that I have an excellent future in sim-racing driving the recovery truck. So there.
Click to expand...

That was "roughly" what Max said arriving at Belgium.
It was in coverage not print so I never quoted it ;)


Me ? I would not be so arrogant to think I have any idea what he thinks though
nothing I hear from him in cockpit or interviews changes my mind on that ;)

Another opinion I have is that all the best champions at one time or another
had a similar trait where under pressure they not used to could become fragile.
Yes, Max has shown that on a number of occasions but he is in extremely good company.
 
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Pete Conway
Premium
Durge Driven said:
Need more US rules

No in laps, No blue flags, No track limits, Rubbin's Racin' :x3:
Click to expand...
annnd.... *No warm-up, cool down laps. (when you're on the race track you're flying)
annnd....*No Mirrors. (as JV said, you only use mirrors to block another driver)

*these are actually made up rules not US rules
 
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Pete Conway
Premium
davehenrie said:
Yuki's 60 grid penalty should be enforced like your photo above. measure off 26 extra rows behind the last row and start him from back there.
Click to expand...
To be honest here, I think that extra parts should cost points, remember when Mercedes were taking a hit on grid to introduce a shed load of new spare engines, taking the pee, the quotas should be raised higher (double plus) and the usage should be for the team with penalties being constructors points (constructors is where the money is) and the unused parts give points back at the end of the season
 
Damage Inc
pai said:
Oscar puts the fire under Lando's ass though, he wouldn't perform at this level if Ricciardo was still his teamie.

Also, a kind reminder: Lando spent his first two seasons as Sainz's teamie. He got beaten by him in both.
Click to expand...
Nothing put a "fire" under Lando's ass, the car got better allowing him and Oscar to be at the sharp end.

Indeed and I like Sainz, I don't slag him off.
 
BillyBobSenna
Premium
I think Spa tends to be a track that emphasizes the car more than the driver. If Perez can qualify so high up the grid, the Reb Bull must be the car to have at Spa. I expect a Max win going away.
 
muzikant
BillyBobSenna said:
I think Spa tends to be a track that emphasizes the car more than the driver. If Perez can qualify so high up the grid, the Reb Bull must be the car to have at Spa. I expect a Max win going away.
Click to expand...
In any case, Verstappen made the difference again yesterday, he cleared the entire field with his qualifying time. But that was mainly because he is always so good at this. and was probably angry about all the bullshit he got again. Today is a dry race and very different conditions than yesterday. I do not assume, Mr. Billy Bob, that Max will win the race, from 11th place the competition McLaren in particular, Mercedes, Ferrari has too good a car. But we'll see. tire management will also be important today. Perez surprised me too, but the man is about to be replaced so yes he has to now. and only now if he wants to keep his job and the RB should be able to place itself in the top 5 of what the car can do. he seems to wake up.
 
sirhenry13
Premium
Fexcooper said:
That was a bad idea to sign Ocon, Haas, he is going to destroy your team, just as he destroyed mine
Click to expand...
Can’t agree more. Ocon is manipulative sob. Bad personality. In his karting days already bullying others, driving opponents off track..
 
sirhenry13
Premium
Mekonrider said:
Be funny if Norris goes on a winning spree and loses the title by 5 points.
Click to expand...
I would really love that. Not because of Norris.. but I would like to see Zack Clown’s face the moment he would loose the title for 5 points
 
sirhenry13
Premium
pai said:
Oscar puts the fire under Lando's ass though, he wouldn't perform at this level if Ricciardo was still his teamie.

Also, a kind reminder: Lando spent his first two seasons as Sainz's teamie. He got beaten by him in both.
Click to expand...
I guess Lando has grown since his first 2 years in F1
 
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Fexcooper
Kingkoenig said:
Ocon's once promising career is pretty much down the drain. He'll finish his career at Haas or some other team at the back of the grid and will probably end up with only one win.
Click to expand...
It was meant to be over a few weeks ago, he's never proven himself to be any good, and he's crashed into all his teammates, I don't know what HAAS were thinking, there are so many drivers on the market, Sainz or Bottas, or take some risks with Pourchaire or Hadjar, who are promising drivers in F2
 
azaralamouri
BORING!

If u enjoy looking at a train or standing in the queue you'll think this is motor racing.

Also, how stupid should someone be (and by someone I mean Ted Kravits) to think that a man with a metal jack can stop a moving car that already weighs a ton. :roflmao: :roflmao::roflmao:
 
F_B
Premium
Great drive by Russell! He made the right call with the one stop strategy.
Shame that Piastris stop was 4.4 seconds that probably cost him the win.
Overall a very good race. :thumbsup:
 
K
Piastri lost the race in the pits. 4.4 seconds stop and he finishes less than 2 seconds from Russell. A « normal » stop in 2.4 or 2.5 and he wins.
 
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