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Post by René on Aug 24, 2022 17:24:28 GMT
F1 returns to action this weekend at historic Spa-Francorchamps. Race 1 of a wonderful but very busy European tour; Spa-Zandvoort-Monza in a span of three weeks!
There’s talk that Spa might disappear from the F1 calendar (...) but I’m not going think about that too much this weekend and will try to enjoy it as much as I can! Last year was disastrous with the continues rain but that's not in line with expectations this year. There could be a shower and temperatures will be a bit lower than what they are right now (30°C+) but nothing dramatic.  We can expect another fight between Red Bull and Ferrari and maybe Mercedes will join in again. Lot’s of Dutch fans and orange smoke are expected but I’m hoping for a good atmosphere. The race will be close and exciting for sure and hopefully a recharged Ferrari can give Red Bull a run for their money. I will be going of course, probably all 3 days, but certainly the friday and of course the sunday. Really looking forward to the weekend. Forza Ferrari!  |
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Post by Carl on Aug 24, 2022 17:59:44 GMT
Cool new grandstand overlooking Eau Rouge! Where will you be sitting?
Have a wonderful weekend!  |
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Post by René on Aug 24, 2022 18:39:08 GMT
Cool new grandstand overlooking Eau Rouge! Where will you be sitting?
Have a wonderful weekend! Exactly on that grandstand! That will be awesome.  |
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Post by chrisb on Aug 24, 2022 22:08:22 GMT
Rene, is that black and white photo from 1966?
what a grandstand that is- that really is magnificent, oh have a fabulous time [he says a bit enviously] I haven't checked the weather forecast but hope it is kinder than last year,
3 great circuits, one after the other, all sell outs and just brilliant - this horrendous talk of not being at Spa next year is utter stupidity,
the good news for British viewers - the wonderful Lee McKenzie is presenting the C4 highlights, may just have to watch it now
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Post by Carl on Aug 25, 2022 0:01:15 GMT
Rene, is that black and white photo from 1966? what a grandstand that is- that really is magnificent, oh have a fabulous time [he says a bit enviously] I haven't checked the weather forecast but hope it is kinder than last year, 3 great circuits, one after the other, all sell outs and just brilliant - this horrendous talk of not being at Spa next year is utter stupidity, the good news for British viewers - the wonderful Lee McKenzie is presenting the C4 highlights, may just have to watch it now Chris, I believe you're right about the year. Dan Gurney drove an Eagle with Climax engine and the car on the right with Goodyear profile tyres is almost certainly him. What a change of fortune the following year! The car just ahead looks like Denis Hulme's Brabham. That's clearly Jo Siffert's Cooper-Maserati to the left and the white car on the far left is Bob Bondurant posing as Pete Aron in his Yamura for the "Grand Prix" filming. Some jealous observers are saying that, as her frequent companion, you'll be watching Lee McKenzie from a short distance, you sly devil!  Cheers, Carl |
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Post by robmarsh on Aug 25, 2022 7:18:14 GMT
Enjoy Rene
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Post by René on Aug 26, 2022 9:33:32 GMT
‘Morning guys!  |
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Post by René on Aug 27, 2022 9:53:30 GMT
An appetizer. More to follow after the weekend!  |
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Post by chrisb on Aug 27, 2022 11:37:34 GMT
Morning Rene looking good mate, hopefully you are having a wonderful time
Forza
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Post by mikael on Aug 27, 2022 12:54:10 GMT
An appetizer. More to follow after the weekend!
Please enjoy, René!
It is a long-standing dream of mine to see a GP there, at the "circuit of circuits", at some time.
It seems that one has to hurry up, and that it might even be too late, as there might not be a Belgian GP at Spa in 2023 (according to some news sources) ...
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Post by Carl on Aug 28, 2022 23:09:03 GMT
What an awesome view! The narrow perimeter road between the track and grandstand may be part of the original layout, which detoured to the left at the base of the steep incline and rejoined after a hairpin turn, the whole idea being to avoid so steep a climb.
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Post by Carl on Aug 28, 2022 23:58:17 GMT
The race had its moments of high and low drama, with several excellent passes, two of the best by Esteban Ocon. All biases aside, Max Verstappen drove an almost perfect race, although his teammate did not. I agree with Martin Brundle that Perez should have been penalized after moving aggressively in the braking zone approaching Les Combes at high speed, although I doubt Charles Leclerc was suprised by the recklessness. Now for a few words about David Croft
Shortly after pitting during the first safety car, Charles Leclerc radioed to confirm that one more stop was planned, a fairly simple message that was completely turned around by the ponderous fool, who thought it was ambitious to race 40 laps on medium tyres. Leclerc: "We agree one stop from now, yeah?"
Race engineer: "We'll come back to you on that. I confirm you. Yes."
Lewis Hamilton's most ardent admirer rushed to defend him after the harsh assessment of his limitations radioed by Fernando Alonso to his crew. Interviewed later, Hamilton was very gracious in admitting fault. |
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Post by robmarsh on Aug 29, 2022 7:50:48 GMT
Good summation Carl, nothing further to add really. I think Max has this one wrapped up unless for some reason he gets banned for six races and even then it will be close.
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Post by chrisb on Aug 29, 2022 8:27:42 GMT
Rene, whilst it may not be the result you wished for I hope you had a brilliant time, at least it didn't rain! I watched quite a lot of the race and disjointed seemed to be essence of the day, but as Carl and Rob have put it better than I looks like Max is walking towards another championship, this time without any outside assistance, onwards to Zandvoort - my word whilst the UK is in a sea of sxxt the Netherlands really will be in a sea of orange
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Post by René on Aug 29, 2022 19:14:38 GMT
Thanks guys, I had a fantastic weekend. The sporting result was not what I hoped for but attending races at Spa is always a joy. And we had the best seats in the house on the new Eau Rouge grandstand. Absolutely fabulous.
Max's supremacy was almost unreal, as if he was the only one in an F1 car and all the others in F2s! He was phenomenal all weekend. But not to take anything away from Max, it was too easy. DRS really needs to go with these new cars. And it didn't help of course that Ferrari was not competitive and for Charles everything seemed to go wrong. It looked at first he could follow Max but then the silly tear-off incident happened that ruined his race entirely. It is now clear it was Max's tear-off! You cannot make that up, can you... I did enjoy Carlos's strong weekend though, even if he couldn't keep up with the Red Bulls.
But I think looking back at Hungary it was already clear that Red Bull was faster than the Ferrari. It only became more clear on the long Spa track.
Max will be champion again for sure and all Ferrari can do now is try to win some races and beat Checo for 2nd in the standings. Winning in Zandvoort would be nice...
.... and now for the photos....
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