F1 Update on iSport’s F1 Pitstop: Ferrari have a genuine chance to win the Belgian Grand Prix writes iSporter and Ferrari writer Maharshi Vaishnav.
The longest full throttle section amongst all circuits….a top speed of 335 km/hr…. 3-4 lateral Gs throughout the lap….and we are back to the legend!
Like any Formula 1 purist, I too am excited that the F1 fraternity is at Spa Francorchamps. One of the only 4 circuits that have remained from the inaugural F1 World Championship in 1950, Spa is not only the longest circuit on the current F1 calendar but also the most authentic. A little over 7 kilometers, 20 almost flat-out corners and the immortal ‘Eau Rouge,’ Spa is a far cry from any Hermann Tilke designed modern circuits. It has everything for everyone. Drivers love it for its challenge, race engineers love it for its no fuss low downforce requirements and yes the audience love it because it offers plenty of high speed racing with tons of overtaking opportunities.
While the weather boys are predicting a wet weekend, I am expecting a brilliant race. The temperature forecasts for the next 3 days are 17, 15 and 12 degrees Celsius. The drivers will face a poser generating heat in their tyres. The unique aspect about Spa is that because of its massive length, while one section of the circuit may be witnessing heavy showers, the other section may be absolutely dry.
I don’t think there is any better circuit in the F1 calendar to utilize F-Ducts optimally. With a flat out first and third sectors and a corners laden middle sector, the teams will need F-Ducts like never before. Teams are not expected to experiment too much with the car set ups. The circuit layout ensures that almost every team with go with the barest minimum downforce.
Ferrari is on an upswing thanks to their F10 chassis revamp. In the last 2 races, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa together collected 73 points. Alonso’s German GP win though marred by team orders controversy, announced a Ferrari revival.
While Alonso has been more consistent of the two, Massa is hungry for points and that may help Ferrari sail thru the second half of the season beginning this Sunday. What may work in Ferrari’s favor is that its main competitors Red Bull and McLaren’s performances have peaked. There is not much room for any improvements – rather surprises. And the next 2 circuits i.e. Spa and Monza are bound to favor Ferrari the most. I feel the second half of the season can demonstrate the biggest revival of an F1 team (Ferrari) in the recent past.
While Ferrari is a distant 3rd with 238 points compared with Red Bull’s 312 and McLaren’s 304, it is the drivers’ championship that is getting hotter. There are 5 genuine Championship contenders separated by just 20 points. Alonso is 5th with 141 points and Massa is 6th with 97 points. With 175 points to battle for in the next 7 races (including Spa), we are in for one of the most exciting seasons in recent times.
Ferrari has been the most successful team at the Belgian GP and in particular at Spa. I feel this year too a Ferrari will win the race. Meanwhile, the average F1 fan in me just can’t wait to see car whizzing past Eau Rouge….that too without traction control!!
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