The wait is finally over, Formula 1 is back for its first race in a month. And it comes back to the best track of all. The Spa-Francorchamp circuit is loved by all, from the drivers to a spectators point of view it looks awesome. Seeing the cars through Eau Rouge up the Kemmel Straight into the forests is a sight to behold, even just from the sofa! It’s one of the last of the classic circuits to still be raced on and it’s one everyone wants to win.
Recent master of Spa is Lewis Hamilton and he’s my favourite to win. McLaren have momentum coming to Belgium despite the long break. Button will be confident too but I can’t see him matching Lewis here. Expect Alonso to be up there, with Vettel close behind whom I still expect to get pole position whatever happens, although this is the most likely race that Red Bull could miss out on.
The forecast for this weekend suggests similar temperatures to Germany and Hungary where McLaren won, so it could be that the British team find themselves in an advantageous position. So far there is only a small chance of rain for Saturday and Sunday, but around that track, it can change every minute!
Mercedes are tipping themselves to do well, saying they suit a more flowing circuit, and perhaps a lucky omen too as it’ll be Michael Schumacher’s 20th anniversary since he made his Formula 1 debut at this very track. Renault is bringing a whole host of updates and a new driver in the form of Bruno Senna to replace Nick Heidfeld. What benefit that might be, I’m not sure? Of the lower midfield teams Force India are expected to perform strongly.
Sebastian Vettel won’t be in the mood to lose too much ground this weekend, but he expects the next two races to be tough as they are more power circuits. Mercedes and Ferrari engines edge out the Renault in those circumstances, but they’ll not be also-rans by any means and I don’t expect him to crack.
Having said that, there’s only so much pressure a man can take, so the likes of Hamilton, Button and Alonso will be looking to maximise their points and make sure Vettel finishes further down the field than he’s been accustomed to. The second half starts here and Ferrari and McLaren have nothing to lose, let’s see how close they can get.
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