collapse

* Welcome

Welcome to GPWizard F1 Forum!

GPWizard is the friendliest F1 forum you'll find anywhere. You have a host of new like-minded friends waiting to welcome you.

So what are you waiting for? Becoming a member is easy and free! Take a couple seconds out of your day and register now. We guarantee, you wont be sorry you did.

Click Here to become a full Member for Free

* User Info

 
 
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?

* Newsletter

GPWizard F1 Forum Newsletter Email address:
Weekly
Fortnightly
Monthly

* Grid Game Deadlines

Qualifying

Race

* Shoutbox

Refresh History
  • Wizzo: :good:
    March 05, 2024, 11:44:46 PM
  • Dare: my chat button is onthe bottom rightWiz
    March 03, 2024, 11:58:24 PM
  • Wizzo: Yes you should see the chat room button at the bottom left of your screen
    March 02, 2024, 11:39:55 PM
  • Open Wheel: Is there a Chat room button or something to access “Race day conversation”
    March 02, 2024, 02:46:02 PM
  • Wizzo: The 2024 Grid Game is here!  :yahoo:
    January 30, 2024, 01:42:23 PM
  • Wizzo: Hey everybody - the shout box is back!  :D
    August 21, 2023, 12:18:19 PM

* Who's Online

  • Dot Guests: 310
  • Dot Hidden: 0
  • Dot Users: 0

There aren't any users online.

* Top Posters

cosworth151 cosworth151
16143 Posts
Scott Scott
14057 Posts
Dare Dare
12983 Posts
John S John S
11251 Posts
Ian Ian
9729 Posts

Author Topic: Back to racing - SPA 2016  (Read 6569 times)

Offline J.Clark

Back to racing - SPA 2016
« on: August 21, 2016, 07:17:48 PM »
This is a race any true blue race fan should have on their "bucket list" to attend.  I know I would like to go before I die.

It is perhaps the most famous, next to Monaco, circuits on the calendar, and for several reasons.  It frequently has rain, sometimes the entire weekend, sometimes just on one day.  There have been numerous wet races and it is a circuit that is in some ways more dangerous than most others simply because a couple of turns in a sequence from Eau Rouge to over the top of the hill onto the Kemmel Straight (turns 2, 3 & 4).  There is a huge elevation change in this sequence and then, basically at the end of that straight, it is back down hill.  It is turns 2, 3 & 4 because of the change a few years ago to move the pits.

The track is carved out of the hilly terrain of the Belgium Ardennes, a few klics outside of Francorchamps, Belgium.  Perhaps it is not host to the size of crowds at some venues because there is no large metropolitan area nearby.  Francorchamps is a village when compared to cities and towns surrounding so many venues.  This limits the hotel rooms available.  There is a large enough attendance however, and even in the rain the general admission types line the fences in rain gear to watch.  Keeping dry should always be a consideration in planning to attend this race.

The two attached photos were chose for two different reasons.  The first shows a fair shot of the entire circuit and does give some indication of the elevation changes - difficult to get in an aerial shot.  The second I chose for the great detail in labeling the corners, which is important for views of this event.  No sports commentator that I have ever heard speak calls the corners/turns by number for this circuit.  All they use are the names given them.

There are two DRS zones; although, the main straight is rather short by comparison to the one on the Kemmel Straight.

It was one of the original circuits, from 1950.  The length is 7km (4 miles) and the race length in laps is 44.  There are only two straights really; although, there are a few curves that are more or less flat-out.  There are 19 turns and actually little chance for the driver to move laterally.  The lap record was set at 1:47.263, by Vettel in 2009.
Previous winners who remain current drivers:
Raikkonen (4), Hamilton (3), Ricciardo, Button,  Massa, Vettel

This makes for what could be a very interesting race for a few reasons.
1. Kimi has won it more than any other driver currently holding down a race seat, and he is driving a much improved Ferrari.
2.  Hamilton has won it three times, but the Mercs have been having some glitches, and I think he has a grid spot penalty looming.
3.  Ricciardo has won it and is driving a much improved Red Bull that has shown to be nearly on par with the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari recently.
4.  We can't count Vettel out either, in spite so a run of some rather bad luck, as some would put it, he - like Kimi - is in a very competitive Ferrari, and he has won this race before.
5.  This circuit is NOT known to be one on which overtaking is virtually impossible.  There have been many passes made here, on track.

Rather than me posting memorable racing, which has been abundant at Spa, I would like you all to post some of them.  I'll just put up one of my favorites.  Even though I was a fan of Micheal (still keeping him in my prayers), the race between he and Mika was epic:


Life is short - live each day to the fullest.

Offline Steve A.

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2016, 07:57:38 AM »
If it's going to rain on race day I hope it's after the start, I really hate them starting behind the safety car. It's an instant turn off for the race. Either delay it or get them out on full wets and let the drivers sort it out.

Offline Alianora La Canta

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2016, 01:22:08 AM »
The most recent weather report I saw forecast a roasting hot weekend, so rain is relatively unlikely.

I want to attend Spa one day, though it may be some time before I get there.
Percussus resurgio
@lacanta (Twitter)
http://alianoralacanta.tumblr.com (Blog/Tumblr)

Offline lkjohnson1950

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2016, 03:14:48 AM »
Promoter says ticket sales way up, possibly due to Max.

http://www.gptours.com/mobile_news.php?command=show&what=news&id=17705
Lonny

Offline Monty

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2016, 11:08:05 AM »
No great surprises in FP1. Great drive by Kimi. Jenson and Alonso must be wondering if it is worth turning up!
If Hamilton can get any points from the back of the field he really will be proving that he is one of the very best.

Offline J.Clark

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2016, 11:33:39 AM »
Full free practice results (1) for round 13 of the 2016 Formula 1 World Championship (F1), the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.

1. Nico Rosberg   GER   Mercedes-Mercedes   1m 48.348s
2. Lewis Hamilton   GBR   Mercedes-Mercedes   1m 49.078s
3. Kimi Raikkonen   FIN   Ferrari-Ferrari   1m 49.147s
4. Sergio Perez   MEX   Force India-Mercedes   1m 49.274s
5. Sebastian Vettel   GER   Ferrari-Ferrari   1m 49.768s
6. Daniel Ricciardo   AUS   Red Bull-TAG   1m 49.782s
7. Max Verstappen NED   Red Bull-TAG   1m 49.865s
8. Nico Hulkenberg   GER   Force India-Mercedes   1m 50.088s
9. Valtteri Bottas   FIN   Williams-Mercedes   1m 50.394s
10. Esteban Gutierrez   MEX   Haas-Ferrari   1m 50.583s
11. Romain Grosjean   FRA   Haas-Ferrari   1m 50.899s
12. Felipe Massa   BRZ   Williams-Mercedes   1m 51.122s
13. Marcus Ericsson   SWE   Sauber-Ferrari   1m 51.125s
14. Carlos Sainz Jr   ESP   Toro Rosso-Ferrari   1m 51.424s
15. Felipe Nasr   BRA   Sauber-Ferrari   1m 51.768s
16. Esteban Ocon   FRA   Manor-Mercedes   1m 51.787s
17. Daniil Kvyat   RUS   Toro Rosso-Ferrari   1m 52.308s
18. Jenson Button   GBR   McLaren-Honda   1m 52.407s
19. Pascal Wehrlein   GER   Manor-Mercedes   1m 52.837s
20. Kevin Magnussen   DEN   Renault-Renault   1m 53.053s
21. Jolyon Palmer   GBR   Renault-Renault   1m 53.089s
22. Fernando Alonso   ESP   McLaren-Honda   no time
Life is short - live each day to the fullest.

Offline cosworth151

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2016, 12:31:56 PM »
Sauber has their first major upgrades to the C35 since the start of the season. Look for the new, shorter nose. Going by the FP1 times, it looks like they might help.

http://www.racer.com/f1/item/133496-sauber-brings-raft-of-upgrades-to-spa
“You can search the world over for the finer things, but you won't find a match for the American road and the creatures that live on it.”
― Bob Dylan

Offline J.Clark

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2016, 08:37:35 PM »
FFP-2 results:
1.  Verstappen     Red Bull   1m 48.085
2.  Ricciardo      Red Bull   1m 48.341
3.  Hulkenberg      Force India   1m 48.657
4.  Vettel      Ferrari   1m 49.023
5.  Perez      Force India   1m 49.100
6.  Rosberg      Mercedes   1m 49.161
7.  Raikkonen      Ferrari   1m 49.244
8.  Grosjean   Haas    1m 49.419
9.  Button      McLaren    1m 49.419
10. Gutierrez   Haas    1m 49.648
11. Wehrlein   Manor          1m 49.716
12. Alonso      McLaren       1m 49.772
13. Hamilton   Mercedes     1m 49.782
14. Kvyat      Toro Rosso   1m 49.916
15. Ericsson   Sauberi        1m 50.083
16. Bottas      Williams           1m 50.151
17. Massa      Williams       1m 50.157
18. Sainz Jr   Toro Rosso   1m 50.194
19. Magnussen   Renault   1m 50.375
20. Palmer   Renault   1m 50.562
21. Ocon      Manor   1m 50.659
22. Nasr      Sauber   1m 50.719

Interesting shake-up there.  I'll have to go watch what I DVR'd.  I don't usually watch practice on Friday unless it is at the right time of day, but I always record it just in case.
Life is short - live each day to the fullest.

Offline cosworth151

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2016, 08:55:44 PM »
Lewis Hamilton used new engines for both Friday practices. He'll get a 30 spot grid penalty for the start. He may add even more new items for his start Sunday. That effectively gives him a backlog of new power train module for no more loss than he would have received for a few.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/37188288
“You can search the world over for the finer things, but you won't find a match for the American road and the creatures that live on it.”
― Bob Dylan

Offline lkjohnson1950

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2016, 01:16:47 AM »
Oh, Oh. The FIA doesn't like end arounds.
Lonny

Offline Scott

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2016, 09:34:13 AM »
Hehe, ya I can't see Merc getting away with that. More grid penalties to come at Monza I suppose
The Honey Badger doesn't give a...

Offline J.Clark

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2016, 12:08:51 PM »
I don't know Scott.  I hope you are correct.

Saturday practice times:
1.  Raikkonen   FIN   Ferrari   1m 47.974
2.  Ricciardo      Red Bull   1m 48.189
3.  Vettel      Ferrari   1m 48.297
4.  Bottas      Williams   1m 48.504s
5.  Hamilton      Mercedes   1m 48.635
6.  Hulkenberg      Force India   1m 48.739
7.  Rosberg      Mercedes   1m 48.742
8.  Massa      Williams   1m 48.783
9.  Perez      Force India   1m 48.915
10. Grosjean      Haas   1m 49.272
11. Alonso      McLaren   1m 49.453
12. Gutierrez      Haas   1m 49.631
13. Button      McLaren   1m 49.665
14. Magnussen      Renault   1m 49.716
15. Wehrlein      Manor   1m 49.761
16. Kvyat              Toro Rosso   1m 50.023
17. Sainz Jr      Toro Rosso   1m 50.078
18. Palmer   Renault   1m 50.241
19. Nasr      Sauber   1m 50.420
20. Ocon      Manor   1m 50.693
21. Ericsson      Sauber   1m 51.319
22. Verstappen    Red Bull   No time

 Thank goodness for DVR - Leaving shortly on an all day trip.  I'll have to watch it tonight when I get home.

It looks like it could get very interesting.
Life is short - live each day to the fullest.

Offline Irisado

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #12 on: August 27, 2016, 03:24:25 PM »
A much closer qualifying session than I was expecting.  Mercedes don't seem to be able to get the tyres working as well for them as Red Bull and Ferrari, so the gap is much smaller than usual.

I'm not a Verstappen fan, but I have to say it was a great lap that he put together to place himself on the front row.  I am not convinced he will have the right strategy for the race by starting on the super soft tyres though.  Surely, he'll have to pit too early or lose too much time on those tyres as they are going to struggle to last for long if it remains as hot as it has been.

Rosberg should win, Red Bull versus Ferrari is too close to call, and Force India may be able to get ahead of Williams.  The big questions will be how far up the order Hamilton can get and whether anyone will spring a surprise at the bottom end of the top ten, such as Wehrlein, who has looked strong this weekend.

While it's still a marvellous track, I am getting increasingly irritated with this track limits issue.  I know I keep saying it, but if they put the gravel back in, there won't be any more problems with track limits.  You also wouldn't have drivers running off track slightly and still being able to overtake (e.g. Verstappen passing Nasr around the outside at Blanchimont last year).
Soñando con una playa donde brilla el sol, un arco iris ilumina el cielo, y el mar espejea iridescentemente

Offline Scott

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #13 on: August 27, 2016, 06:10:17 PM »
Yeah, the SS seem to last little more than a lap at Spa, so what the point starting on those is, I'm not sure.  But MV often seems to get more out of his tires than others, so we will have to see.  I expect if the temperatures remain high that we will see plenty of pit stops and tire degradation, so it could either snuff some team strategies or play into the hands of others. 

I don't expect Hamilton to make it to the front unless there are a pile of SC incidents and if Rosberg has some horrible luck.

I am still hoping for good things from Ricciardo, I think Perez will get the best he can from the FI and maybe Kimi will even finish higher than he starts.

The Doctor told me to rest my arm, so I am milking that instruction as best as I can so I will hopefully be on the couch for tomorrow's race and of course on chat.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2016, 06:12:15 PM by Scott »
The Honey Badger doesn't give a...

Offline cosworth151

Re: Back to racing - SPA 2016
« Reply #14 on: August 27, 2016, 10:06:12 PM »
Hamilton will have the option of starting at the back or starting from the pits. I think the pits would be the wisest course. Try to avoid the almost certain pile up at La Source.

As for the engine deal: I generally don't care for "gaming" the rules. However, these power train rules are so ridiculous that they deserve to be beaten.
“You can search the world over for the finer things, but you won't find a match for the American road and the creatures that live on it.”
― Bob Dylan

 


SimplePortal 2.3.6 © 2008-2014, SimplePortal
Menu Editor Pro 1.0 | Copyright 2013, Matthew Kerle