#F1 @Rolex #BelgianGP 2024 Preview. #Formula1 #BelgiumGP
Formula 1 MSC Cruises Belgian Grand Prix 2023 Race Start, Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Stavelot, Belgium. Image credit to Peter Fox/Getty Images. 2024 Belgian GP Preview, 2024 F1 Belgian GP Preview, Belgian Grand Prix Preview, Formula 1 Belgian GP Preview.
2024 Belgian GP Preview – After Oscar Piastri took his maiden F1-career victory in a dramatic Hungarian Grand Prix, round 14 of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship returns to the historic and classic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps this weekend for the Formula 1 Rolex Belgian Grand Prix 2024. This will be the 80th Belgian Grand Prix and the 67th time that the race will be held at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. This is also the last race before the sport’s traditional summer break.
2024 Belgian GP Preview – A look at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Built in 1921 and located in the Ardennes countryside in Stavelot Belgium, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is a favourite amongst the drivers, teams and fans. The longest lap on the calendar will test the 1.6L turbocharged V6 hybrid power-trains to their limits through the high-speed sectors one and three but also aerodynamics through the twisty sector two.
Spa is one of the season’s fastest tracks and it features every kind of challenge with average speeds of 230kph. The throttle is wide open for approximately 23 seconds from the stretch of the exit of La Source to Les Combes. From the run down through Eau Rouge, up the steep incline towards the blind Radillon corner, to the flat-out Kemmel Straight, through Les Combes and the technically difficult stretch down through Rivage, Pouhon and Fagnes and on to the ultimately fast Blanchimont left-hander and despite many alterations over the years due to safety reasons, Spa remains an ultimate test for both man and machine.
Getting the car setup is crucial, with success being the right balance between low downforce for the high-speed first and third sectors and good grip for the twisty second sector.
The weather can also play a defining role. Ardennes defines the phrase ‘four seasons in one day’ and while one end of the circuit can be full of sunshine, the other can be drenched with rain. The unpredictable conditions can be a real headache for teams especially regarding tyre choice.
The current Grand Prix circuit layout is 7.004km (4.352 miles) in length and runs in a clockwise direction.
Race distance is 305.052km (191.415 miles) in length with 44 laps in total and 19 corners.
Valtteri Bottas holds the fastest lap record with a 1:46.286 set at the 2018 event in his Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport F1 W09 EQ Power+ racer.
Michael Schumacher holds the record for most Belgian Grand Prix victories with six.
Scuderia Ferrari is the most successful constructor at the Belgian Grand Prix with 18 victories.
2024 Belgian GP Preview – Onboard Lap of the Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps
Here is the onboard lap of the Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps from last year’s event, set by Max Verstappen in his Oracle Red Bull Racing Honda-RBPT RB19 racer. The Dutchman posted a 1:46.168. Originally this was the pole position lap from qualifying, but the Red Bull driver was hit with a five-grid-placed-penalty for new power-unit components, meaning Charles Leclerc inherited pole position. You can watch the footage of Verstappen’s lap right here at the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk3SUXcVsd8
2024 Belgian GP Preview – The Last Five Winners
2023: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. 2022: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. 2021: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. 2020: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1. 2019: Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari.
2024 Belgian GP Preview – Tyres
Pirelli will be bringing with them to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the white-branded C2 Hard compounds, the yellow-marked C3 Mediums and the red side-walled C4 Soft rubber along with the green-marked Intermediates and blue-banded Full Wet compounds in-case of rain.
All drivers will have eight sets of the C4 red side-walled Softs, three sets of the yellow C3 Mediums and two sets of the white C3 Hard rubber.
2024 Belgian GP Preview – DRS Zones
The detection point for the first zone is 240 metres before turn two with the activation point 310 metres after turn four. The second detection point is 160 metres before turn 18 with the activation point 30 metres after turn 19.
2024 Belgian GP Preview – Pitlane Speed Limits
Pitlane speed limits will be 80km/h during practice, qualifying and the race.
ICYMI: Piastri claims maiden victory in dramatic Hungarian GP
Piastri Hungarian GP Victory – Oscar Piastri claimed his maiden victory in a McLaren one-two finish at a dramatic Hungarian GP as Lando Norris let his team-mate by with three tours remaining as Sir Lewis Hamilton completed the top three for Mercedes after a wild battle and collision with 2021 rival Max Verstappen.
Piastri became the seventh different Grand Prix winner in the 2024 season, and it was the first McLaren one-two finish in Hungary since Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard in 1999.
When the 70 lap Hungarian GP began, pole-sitter Norris gets a solid getaway and covers his team-mate Piastri as Verstappen charges back and all three cars were three wide into turn one with the latter running wide into the run-off area and Piastri took the lead with Norris falling behind Verstappen in third.
Norris reported over the radio for Verstappen to give the place back for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
On the beginning of lap two, Piastri held a 1.2 second lead over Verstappen with Norris third, Hamilton fourth, Leclerc fifth, Alonso sixth as Sainz fell down to seventh.
At the start of the third tour, with DRS assistance on the main-straight, Sainz made a move on the inside of Alonso to take sixth place off his fellow Spanish-compatriot heading into turn one.
Verstappen’s incident with Norris was noted by the stewards as his race engineer Giampiero Lambiase told the championship leader to give the place back.
On the beginning of the fourth lap, Verstappen gave the place back to Norris.
The fifth lap saw Piastri’s lead sitting at 2.233 seconds over team-mate Norris with Verstappen third, Hamilton fourth as Ferrari pairing Leclerc and Sainz completed the top six runners.
A lap later, Verstappen was right on the back of Norris in the battle for second place meanwhile Aston Martin duo Alonso and Lance Stroll who began the race on softs had a large train of cars behind them as their C5 red side-walled rubber started to degrade.
Albon, Magnussen and Ocon all came in to pit for a fresh set of hards to emerge all at the back of the field.
On the eighth lap, Alonso stopped from seventh, along with Ricciardo and Zhou as they all emerged in 15th, 18th and at the rear respectively as Hulkenberg’s early stop undercut put the German up into 14th.
Lap 10 saw Piastri’s lead at 2.571 seconds over team-mate Norris with Verstappen a further 1.758 off in third, Hamilton fourth as Leclerc and Sainz rounded out the top six.
On the 11th tour, Piastri’s lead over Norris increased to three seconds as the Australian reported he felt comfortable on his tyres and did not want to push any harder. The McLaren driver was told to start saving rubber as earlier as the second lap due to the high degradation levels at the Hungaroring.
The teams were all managing their tyres with tyre saving the aim at this stage of proceedings as Verstappen started to drop back from Norris and Hamilton not pushing closer to the former and Leclerc had a bit of a gap to his team-mate in fifth.
Lap 15 saw race leader Piastri’s lead at 3.350 seconds over Norris with Verstappen holding third, Hamilton fourth as Leclerc and Sainz completed the top six.
On lap 17, Hamilton pitted from fourth to pull the powerful undercut on third-placed Verstappen as the Mercedes driver put on a fresh set of hards and emerged in seventh place behind RB’s Yuki Tsunoda.
Meanwhile, second-placed Norris stopped from second for his set of the C3 hards and came out in fifth place as behind the Briton, Hamilton overtook Tsunoda on the main-straight to grab sixth.
A lap later, Verstappen reported over the radio “I can’t turn, the fronts and rears.” As Piastri pitted from the lead to put on his set of the hards and emerged in fourth behind the yet-to-pit top three of Verstappen, Leclerc and Sainz as Hamilton posted the fastest lap time.
Leclerc told his team over the radio to go for “Plan C” to which they replied “Copy”.
On the 22nd tour, both Verstappen and Sainz stopped for their fresh sets of the C3 white-branded hards and the former came out in fifth behind Hamilton as the undercut worked for the Mercedes driver and the latter in ninth place behind Perez respectively.
Leclerc came in to pit on the beginning of lap 24 to relinquish the lead for his fresh set of hards and emerged in fifth place behind Verstappen as the former’s team-mate Sainz overtook Perez to move up into eighth in the order.
On lap 25, Piastri’s lead was at 3.124 seconds over team-mate Norris with Hamilton third, Verstappen fourth as Leclerc completed the top five.
Meanwhile, Sainz with DRS assistance made a move on the inside into turn one on Russell’s Mercedes to take seventh place from the Briton.
A lap later, Sainz with the same identical move, passed the yet-to-pit Tsunoda to move up into sixth place behind his Ferrari team-mate.
On lap 29, ninth-placed Perez pitted for his fresh set of the C4 yellow-branded mediums and came out in 15th behind Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas as his Red Bull team-mate Verstappen was starting to reel in fourth-placed Hamilton as the gap was down to 1.861 seconds.
The 31st lap saw Piastri’s lead at 4.269 seconds over McLaren team-mate Norris with Hamilton third, Verstappen fourth as Leclerc and Sainz rounded out the top six runners.
The battle for third place was beginning to heat up as Verstappen brought the gap down to 1.135 seconds with Hamilton.
On lap 34, Verstappen was right on the back of Hamilton’s tail as race leader Piastri had a moment at turn 11 as the gap fell to 1.937 seconds between him and team-mate Norris.
On the 35th tour, with DRS assistance Verstappen had a look at the Mercedes of Hamilton into turn one as the latter locked up, then the former made a move around the outside into turn two, but carried too much speed into the corner as Hamilton reclaimed the place back from his 2021 rival.
A lap later, Norris brought the gap to his race leading team-mate Piastri to 1.668 seconds as Verstappen got back into DRS range of Hamilton.
Verstappen was right back on the rear of Hamilton’s F1 W15 entry on lap 37 as Norris took out half-a-second of race leader Piastri with the gap at 1.327 seconds.
Lap 38, Verstappen had another look on Hamilton into turn one as the latter continued to cover the Red Bull in turns two, three and four.
On the 39th lap, fifth-placed Leclerc was beginning to close in on both Hamilton and Verstappen as Norris was told he was free to race his leading team-mate Piastri as they approached the backmarkers.
The 40th tour saw Piastri’s lead back to 1.569 seconds over Norris with Hamilton, Verstappen and Leclerc all close together.
Hamilton pulled the undercut on lap 41 and pitted for the second time for fresh harder compounds as Leclerc also stopped for the yellow-marked medium rubber with both drivers emerging in fifth and sixth places respectively.
Out-front on lap 44, Piastri’s lead was back up to 1.8 seconds over Norris with the distant-third Verstappen furious over the radio about being undercut again by the Mercedes.
Lap 46, second-placed Norris was told to pit by his McLaren team and put on a used set of the medium rubber and came out in third place behind Sainz as Piastri was told “We’ll manage the situation.”
Meanwhile lap 47, Piastri and Sainz were told to box as both put on a set of mediums and emerged in third and sixth places respectively.
On the 48th tour, Norris was told on the radio that at his earliest convenience to let Piastri through to re-establish the order as the latter dipped into the turn 12 exit gravel trap.
Race leader Verstappen pitted for his yellow-marked C4 mediums and came out in fifth place behind Leclerc.
With 20 tours remaining, Norris’s lead was at 3.621 over Norris with Hamilton third, Leclerc fourth and Verstappen rounding out the top five.
Piastri was told by his team “Once you get to Lando, we will swap the positions, but we want to avoid Lando giving up a lot of race time.”
On lap 54, race leader Norris was battling his way past backmarkers meanwhile fifth-placed Verstappen was furious with his Red Bull team about their strategy choice.
A lap later, Verstappen was much closer with DRS assistance on fourth-placed Leclerc as the battle for fourth began to heat up.
On the 56th lap, Verstappen once again had a look on Leclerc, but the Ferrari managed to cover the Dutchman.
The 57th lap saw with DRS assistance on the pit-straight Verstappen with DRS assistance passed Leclerc on the inside at turn one to move up into fourth place.
On lap 58, race leader Norris was told by his team “I know you’ll do the right thing,” with managing the tyres as the Briton remained silent with the gap between him and second-placed Piastri at 3.7 seconds.
With ten laps remaining Norris’s lead was at 4.271 seconds over Piastri with Hamilton third, Verstappen fourth as Ferrari’s Leclerc and Sainz completed the top six runners.
With nine laps left, Norris was told over the radio to do the right thing to which the Briton replied “Well, tell him to catch up then.”
On the eighth tour, Verstappen was once again back behind the rear of Hamilton in the fight for the final podium place.
With seven laps remaining, Verstappen made a late lunge on Hamilton into turn one as the former locked up, hit the Mercedes as both made contact with Verstappen being sent into the air and went into the run-off area as Leclerc made his way ahead of the Dutchman as he re-joined.
The incident between Verstappen and Hamilton was noted by the race stewards as the war of words continued between Norris and his team as Sainz was right on the back of Verstappen’s RB20 entry with five tours left.
Norris was told by his team “The way to win a championship is not by yourself, it’s with a team. You’ll need Oscar, you’ll need the team,” as Piastri is told by McLaren “We’re managing the situation.”
With three laps remaining, Norris slowed right down on the main-straight and let Piastri by to take the lead.
Norris with DRS assistance kept right on team-mate Piastri’s rear as the Briton did not want to make it easy for the Australian.
Piastri crossed the line to take the Hungarian GP by 2.141 seconds over Norris as Hamilton rounded out the top three.
Leclerc settled for fourth as Verstappen took fifth place with the latter escaping punishment from the race stewards in the post-race investigation for his collision with Hamilton.
The other Ferrari SF-24 entry of Sainz came sixth as both Perez and Russell recovered from their low 16th and 17th qualifying slots to take seventh and eighth respectively as RB’s Tsunoda and Aston Martin’s Stroll rounded out the final points places.
The second Aston Martin AMR24 entry of Alonso ended the Hungarian GP outside the top ten in 11th place and in-front of RB’s Ricciardo who was 12th.
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team pairing Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen followed in 13th and 15th respectively as Williams Racing’s Alexander Albon split the duo in 14th.
Sauber’s Bottas and Zhou took 16th and 19th as Williams’ Logan Sargeant and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon sandwiched in-between in 17th and 18th.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was sole retiree of the race on lap 37 due to a suspected hydraulic leak.
2024 Belgian GP Preview – The Situation
Following a controversial race last time out at the Hungaroring, the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season continues with the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend at the legendary Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri scored his maiden Formula 1-career victory at last round’s Hungarian GP after beating team-mate Lando Norris, who was given team orders multiple times in an intense ending to the Grand Prix.
McLaren had the clear upper hand over the field and will look to reciprocate their form in Spa, where championship leader Max Verstappen had been dominant the last three seasons.
Verstappen, who leads by 76 points in the World Driver’s Championship standings, will be fired up after his collision with 2021 rival Sir Lewis Hamilton on his way to a fifth-placed finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman was criticised for his fiery outbursts on the radio in Hungary as the pressure ramps up on the reigning world champions Red Bull due to McLaren’s great form.
McLaren are 51 points behind Red Bull in the World Constructor’s Championship standings, so a strong performance from Sergio Perez in Belgium is crucial for the Milton Keynes based-squad and the Mexican’s own campaign.
Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team remain close to Red Bull and McLaren, so they should be in a position to capitalise on the potentially mixed-conditions at the famous Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps.
Ferrari were closer to the front at the Hungaroring compared to previous Grands Prix and Charles Leclerc returns to the track where he clinched his maiden F1 victory in 2019.
Verstappen returns to Belgium sitting on top of the World Driver’s Championship with 265 points and a 76-point advantage over McLaren’s Norris who is second on 189 points whilst Ferrari’s Leclerc is a further 103 points behind the Dutchman in third on 162 points.
Oracle Red Bull Racing comes to the Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps on top of the World Constructors Championship with 389 points and a 51-point lead over nearest rivals McLaren Formula One Team who are second on 338 points whilst Scuderia Ferrari are a further 67 points behind the Milton Keynes based-outfit in third place on 322 points.
2024 Belgian GP Preview – Binotto takes over leadership position in Audi’s F1 project
Audi have announced that former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto is returning to the sport as it’s Chief Operation and Chief Technical Officer in the leadership team.
Earlier this year, German manufacturer Audi took full ownership of the Sauber team, which will be running under the Audi marque from 2026 onwards, with an all-new powertrain currently being built in-house at its factory in Germany.
Binotto, 54, will begin his adventure as COO and CTO based at the Sauber factory in Hinwil, Switzerland, on August 1 and will report directly to the board of directors.
As part of the restructuring, former McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl – who joined the Hinwil based-outfit in 2023 and was CEO of the Audi squad – is leaving, along with Audi Executive Oliver Hoffman, who was overseeing the F1 project.
Binotto was Ferrari’s Chief Technical Officer until being promoted to the Team Principal role in 2019. He left the famous Maranello-marque in 2022 after three years in the position, and having been with the team since the mid-90’s.
“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project, “explained Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG. “With his extensive experience of more than 25 years in Formula 1, he will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution for Audi. Our aim is to bring the entire Formula 1 project up to F1 speed by means of clear management structures, defined responsibilities, reduced interfaces, and efficient decision-making processes. For this purpose, the team must be able to act independently and quickly,” Döllner concluded. Credit to Audi for the quote.
Döllner also thanked Seidl and Hoffman for their work in establishing Audi’s entry into Formula 1 and their commitment to in preparing for it.
2024 Belgian GP Preview – F1 Commission rules out points system change and outlines 2026 pre-season testing plans
The Formula 1 Commission met for the third time in 2024 on Tuesday July 23, with the headline outcomes including the ruling out of a points system change and agreeing to nine days of pre-season testing for 2026 to coincide with the new rules and regulations.
A proposal to give out points beyond tenth place was discussed at the meeting in London, which was chaired by Formula 1 CEO and President Stefano Domenicali and FIA Single Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis.
Updates to the Technical and Sporting Regulations
Championship Points
- It was unanimously agreed that there would be no changes to the amount of points given in the Championship (as described in Articles 6.4 and 6.5 of the Sporting Regulations) following a recent proposal to consider expanding the points allocation beyond 10thposition in a Grand Prix weekend.
Minimum Weight – Car and Driver
- The minimum driver weight will be increased from 80kg to 82kg for driver well-being. As a result, the minimum car weight mass – without fuel, will be increased from 798kg to 800kg for the 2025 season.
2026 Pre-Season Testing
- The 2026 pre-season test plan would feature nine testing days, split across three testing events.
2026 Regulations
- The overall strategic objectives of the 2026 Regulations were reiterated with the major goal to achieve closer and faster racing that will continue to engage and excite the fans. An update was given on the timeline of the 2026 Rules and Regulations covering the Technical, Sporting, Financial and Environmental areas and that the ongoing collaboration lead by sport’s governing body, the FIA and with all the teams was on course to meet its objectives and were moving in the right trajectory for the finalisation of the regulations. Following further discussions during upcoming Technical and Sporting Advisory committees, an update on the 2026 Regulations relating to sporting and technical regulations will be presented at the World Motor Sport Council on October 17. An F1 Commission meeting will also take place on October 2 to discuss matters on 2026.
Financial Regulations
- It was confirmed that costs relating to maternity/paternity leave, sick leave, and team entertainment will remain excluded from the perimeter of the cost cap.
All regulatory changes are subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
Click here for the 2024 Formula 1 World Driver’s (Top 10) and Constructors Championship Standings.
The Formula 1 Rolex Belgian Grand Prix 2024 weekend begins Friday July 26 with Free Practice 1 and 2, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying Saturday July 27 and the 44 lap Race Sunday July 28.
2 thoughts on “#F1 @Rolex #BelgianGP 2024 Preview. #Formula1 #BelgiumGP”
Comments are closed.