F1 Digest - Belgium Preview
- Length: 8:03
- Size: 7.4 MB
- File: digest49.mp3
- Transcript: digest49.pdf
- Torrent: digest49.torrent
One of the most highly rated circuits on the calendar means we must be at Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix. With many teams counting on rain, we preview what the drivers are thinking ahead of the weekend.
Vital Statistics
- Date: 7th September
- Circuit: Spa-Francorchamps
- Length: 7.0km
- Laps: 44
- 2007 Winner: Kimi Raikkonen
Preview
The Eau Rouge corner, the fact that the track can be raining at one point and bone dry at another, the Bus Stop and the greenery of the forests. All of these are reasons why we love Spa, and the drivers feel the same. Except tester Alex Wurz, who’s a bit of a downer on the eve of what should be a great weekend.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:08 amme said:
another red bull driver speaks out about his engine (is this the company policy now?):
“It has become apparent that there is a difference in performance between the Renault engine in the back of the RB4 and the Ferrari in the STR3, with the Ferrari topping the speed traps and the Renault giving away a little in both the power and driveability stakes.” - DC
http://tinyurl.com/itvcolumn
September 4th, 2008 at 10:41 amFlibster said:
WOOHOO!
Rain is forecast for all 3 days!
Nothing is better than a wet Spa track.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:02 amSteven Roy said:
Am I the only person who hates wet races? I have no problem with a damp track but a wet track and the lack of visibility for drivers is something I think is unnecessarily dangerous. It is a sad reflection of the state of F1 that so many people now hope for wet races. This is in no way meant as a criticism of those people because I fully understand their view even if I don’t agree with it. It is yet another example of how ridiculous the technical regulations are.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:07 amChristine said:
I don’t think people want it to be dangerous. Fuji wasn’t fun. Silverstone was on the edge. But a wet track mixes things up a bit. That’s all we want.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:15 amSteven Roy said:
I understand that and I understand why people want it but rain and Spa is just not a combination that I look forward to.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:20 amChristine said:
All I’d ask for is a bit of rain between each session. Clear the track, make them start all over again each time they go out. Doesn’t have to be pouring down all day.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:42 amFlibster said:
Rain is the great leveller in F1.
Engine power isn’t as important as drivability and the the cars aero package isn’t as important as driver ability in wet conditions.
I’ve driven round Spa in the wet. It certainly keeps you awake.
Spa is a great place though, you could have 25°C temps and clear skies all round the track, but the track itself is in the middle of a downpour.
Possibly one of the best F1 laps ever done was in the wet at Donnington in 1993 - Senna in an inferior McLaren showed everyone up that race.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:35 pmKostia said:
If there are changeable conditions I wonder if we are going to see another ‘Brawn’ moment.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:35 pmme said:
the best thing about a wet race is we don’t have to listen to james allen explaining that a soft tyre has a white stripe on it.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:39 pmChristine said:
If it’s wet in qualifying, will it stop him telling us that the first two sessions don’t count towards pole position?
September 4th, 2008 at 12:48 pmme said:
oooh the would be brilliant kostia. the valencian podium was disappointing in its predictability, is it button’s turn yet?
September 4th, 2008 at 12:50 pmme said:
sadly i fear even rain won’t help that situation, no.
how many races does he have left now?
September 4th, 2008 at 12:59 pmDank said:
For me this is the without a doubt the best track on the F1 calendar and this weekend should (fingers-crossed) make up for the boredom inflicted upon us at Valencia. I wish I was going to Spa again this year
Spa is typically Ferrari territory and they should do well this weekend, Raikkonen has won here three times in the past four years so if he is ever likely to make a return to form it will be here. A fly in the ointment might be the weather. With showers and cold temperatures predicted then Ferrari might have an issue with getting their tyres to work especially in qualifying.
From a Red Bull point-of-view Spa should be good (he says, being biased!). With some nice fast corners and a revised suspension package things could/should be looking up for them.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:06 pmme said:
a lack of on track rubber also appears to hurt them. they’ll be looking fast approx 3pm on sunday.
do you think STR will get to see those updates? i can imagine a honda / aguri thing going on where the transition of new parts become more scarce as the season wears on.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:21 pmSteven Roy said:
I have a feeling Massa will have the upper hand on Kimi at Spa unless it is wet. All those long corners combined with the cars handling should suit Massa but Monza will be the other way round. There you predictions for two races in one albeit only for the Ferraris.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:26 pmme said:
you mean you don’t have confidence in massa if it’s wet?
i can’t see kimi turning it around quickly enough to make the difference this weekend. i think he’ll be a lot closer though.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:04 pmlou said:
Sorry I haven’t been around and commenting recently, it’s back to school time and things have been a little hectic. However I’m looking forward to the GP weekend. I’m loving the fact that Spa has a good chance of rain. As long as it’s enough rain to spice up the race a little… maybe give us another surprise podium
As I’m at school tomorrow I’m not sure how much i’m gonna be around for free practice. I think I have just the 1 lesson tomorrow so I’m stuck at school for the rest of the time so I will probably be able to pop in for some of the time
I so hope so
Would be great for Jenson to get a chance at a handful of pionts 