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Post by René on Jul 26, 2023 11:31:15 GMT
 The last race before the summer break, le Grand Prix du Belgique à Spa-Francorchamps.  Could this be the last Grand Prix on the current layout with Eau Rouge/Radillion as we know it today? Not unthinkable after the fatal accident of Dilano van 't Hoff recently and also Anthoine Hubert not so long ago. It will hurt my heart, but it can't go on like this.  I hope the Red Bulls collide at the start so that we have an exciting race and a new winner. Then tensions also rise nicely in the Red Bull camp.   Oh well just kidding, I'm going to try to enjoy anyway, whoever wins.  |
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Post by mikael on Jul 26, 2023 12:59:03 GMT
Could this be the last Grand Prix on the current layout with Eau Rouge/Radillion as we know it today?
Enjoy the race, René! Are you going to see also the qualification?
Hopefully they will manage to modify the runoff and save that wonderful part of the circuit!
Apropos of safety: on the photo from the mid-50's you posted, it's interesting to notice the group of people standing at the top of the grass-triangle (right up to the apex of the corner) in the center of the photo. Just a thought: I imagine they wouldn't have dared to stand there if it had been anything less than Formula One. I imagine they simply had great confidence in the Grand Prix drivers (..."Nothing will happen - those guys know what they're doing ...")
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Post by René on Jul 26, 2023 13:31:15 GMT
Could this be the last Grand Prix on the current layout with Eau Rouge/Radillion as we know it today? Enjoy the race, René! Are you going to see also the qualification? Yep, I have weekend tickets. Only planned to go on Saturday and Sunday actually but my compagnon Raymond convinced me only an hour ago to also go on the Friday! I'll be wasted after the weekend!  |
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Post by robmarsh on Jul 26, 2023 15:30:31 GMT
I'll be wasted after the weekend!
We still expect your normal race summary by 09:00 on Monday Rene!!
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Post by René on Jul 26, 2023 19:30:18 GMT
I'll be wasted after the weekend! We still expect your normal race summary by 09:00 on Monday Rene!! Aye-aye-sir!  |
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Post by René on Jul 28, 2023 7:31:12 GMT
‘Morning guys. Spa is a month earlier than usual but the weather is the same. Wet and grey!  Attachments:
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Post by robmarsh on Jul 28, 2023 7:48:33 GMT
Hi Rene I read last night that there is a chance of the race being called off if the weather is too bad. The drivers don't fancy driving at 200mph with visibility of 50 metres.
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Post by mikael on Jul 28, 2023 8:04:59 GMT
Wauw! - a very nice spot!
Hopefully the weather will "behave" :-)
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Post by Carl on Jul 28, 2023 16:39:03 GMT
Rain is a constant every day, but will be heavy only tomorrow and later in the week. Cloud cover is a separate concern. They should have a plan for heavy rains other than to cancel, but any practical contingency would involve temporary chicanes or targeted yellow flag zones which would have to remain for all drivers in a session. René, whatever racing takes place, I hope everyone will be pleased. Not every driver is as awesome in the rain as Gilles Villeneuve, who was nine seconds faster than anyone else who braved heavy rain in practice at Watkins Glen in 1979
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Post by René on Jul 28, 2023 18:40:34 GMT
Rain is a constant every day, but will be heavy only tomorrow and later in the week. Cloud cover is a separate concern. They should have a plan for heavy rains other than to cancel, but any practical contingency would involve temporary chicanes or targeted yellow flag zones which would have to remain for all drivers in a session. René, whatever racing takes place, I hope everyone will be pleased. Not every driver is as awesome in the rain as Gilles Villeneuve, who was nine seconds faster than anyone else who braved heavy rain in practice at Watkins Glen in 1979 Carl, I wore my seventies style Gilles shirt  today and it clearly helped! Luckily the Ferraris are more competitive at Spa again which makes the weekend so much more interesting. Max is still out of reach but the chance of an exciting race is certainly better now. Forza! |
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Post by René on Jul 31, 2023 10:10:23 GMT
I survived! An exhausting but still a great weekend at Spa Francorchamps. The total dominance of Verstappen/Red Bull is actually too much of a good thing, but it is still great to be on a race track and experience all the action in scents and colors. Very changeable weather made it a typical Spa experience again. Without bad luck Max will win all the races and that shouldn't be the case. You also noticed it in the audience. The Dutch so called orange army naturally cheered with every fart from Max, but you could hear the other half of the audience sighing and moaning regularly. The highlights of the weekend for me were Oscar Piastri's strong performance in the sprint race and Charles Leclerc's strong race in the Grand Prix. We were right in front of the pits this time. Not the most ideal place to see and photograph the real racing action, but of course great to see the whole circus including the pit stops and the drivers up close. More pictures will follow later.  |
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Post by mikael on Jul 31, 2023 13:17:01 GMT
Who would have thought just a few years ago that a Honda-powered car could become this dominant and that Mercedes would lose their "edge" in the way they have done? While aerodynamics is important, the (engine) power has to be there as well.
In whatever way, Max Verstappen's driving is impeccable.
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Post by Carl on Jul 31, 2023 17:28:47 GMT
George Russell demonstrated a good sense of justice and priority in a radio exchange with Toto Wolff during the long initial delay. Both were relatively comfortable, Toto warm and dry within the Mercedes garage, when he asked if the mechanics should remove the tent canopy so Russell could better sense the conditions. Russell responded the mechanics would get soaked, he knew the conditions, felt sorry for those in the grandstands, and recommended Toto come out and see for himself. Most comfortable during the cold rainstorm were the tyres, snug and warm in thermal blankets.  |
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Post by Carl on Jul 31, 2023 17:30:55 GMT
David Croft text message to headquarters: "I have damage"
Lachlan Murdoch: "Yes, you do"
Croft: "I feel inadequate"
Murdoch: "Yes, you do"
Croft: "Some say I sound idiotic"
Murdoch: "Yes, you do. Martin Brundle is there to leaven your foolishness and present balance by soothing actual fans."
Croft: "Brilliant! Then I also serve by being an idiot?"
Murdoch: "Yes, you do"
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Post by René on Jul 31, 2023 18:31:50 GMT
Who would have thought just a few years ago that a Honda-powered car could become this dominant and that Mercedes would lose their "edge" in the way they have done? While aerodynamics is important, the (engine) power has to be there as well.
In whatever way, Max Verstappen's driving is impeccable.
Absolutely Mikael, the very powerful and reliable PU in that Red Bull is an important part of the success. And Max's driving is very good. He is driving on a very high level and his confidence is sky high. And you can't blame Max or RB for the boring/predictable situation we're in right now. The biggest problem right now is the cost cap. Designed to bring the field closer together but a huge hindrance for teams to catch up. It's not working the way it was planned, at least not for now. |
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today and it clearly helped! Luckily the Ferraris are more competitive at Spa again which makes the weekend so much more interesting. Max is still out of reach but the chance of an exciting race is certainly better now. Forza!