The most exciting season F1 season in quite some time resumes after a month and a bit hiatus, with the big guns of the motorsport world set to go head-to-head out in Belgium this Saturday.
With only 8 points separating Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on the Drivers Standings and only 12 points separating Mercedes and Red Bull on the Constructor’s standings, every point will be vital during the second part of the season.
Belgian Grand Prix
Sunday 28 August
Spa-Francorchamps
Current Drivers Standings (Top 6)
1st: Lewis Hamilton 195
2nd: Max Verstappen 187
3rd: Lando Norris 113
4th: Valterri Bottas 108
5th: Sergio Perez 104
6th: Carlos Sainz 83
Current Constructors Standings Top 3
1st: Mercedes 303
2nd: Red Bull 291
3rd: Ferrari 163
To Win Race Outright
Lewis Hamilton 11/10
Max Verstappen 11/10
Sergio Perez 13/1
Valterri Bottas 18/1
Lando Norris 35/1
Charles LeClerc 40/1
Carlos Sainz 125/1
Off-Season News
Aston Martin Make Changes
After a poor start to the season that has seen them pick up just 48 points, Aston Martin have opted to remodel visible parts of the car. Downforce issues have plagued the car and it will be really interesting to see if the refit fixes the issue.
Valtteri Bottas Saga
Rumours abound that Valterri Bottas’ days at Mercedes are numbered. Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff, wants Bottas’ future decided ASAP, with George Russel the likely successor should the Fin leave the Silver Arrows.
Possible Schedule Changes
With cases in South America skyrocketing, there may well be more changes to this year’s F1 schedule. Replacements will likely need to be found for the Brazilian and Mexican Grand Prix. Tracks in Qatar are apparently being considered as backup venues. Keep an eye on this one as we are almost certain to see changes.
Track: Spa-Francorchamps
While most tracks that have endured safety changes have become tame lapdogs, Spa is still a snarling beast that’s capable of taking even the most experienced driver’s head off. The sweeping high-speed corners are the chief danger here.
One can’t speak of the 19 hair-raising corners without mentioning Blanchimont. This challenging and extremely dangerous turn leads to the start/finish straight, and while it is a great zone to have a dive at an overtake, it has caught many a driver out in the past.
Another area of the circuit that will really test drivers’ ability is the left-right-left sequence of turns which starts at the bottom of the Eau Rouge corner and runs through Radillon. This segment contains a steep climb that leads into a marvellous uphill right-hander.
Belgium tends to get a bit of rain at this time of the year and there’s plenty of rain being forecast for the entirety of the race weekend
Last season’s Grand Prix was won by Lewis Hamilton with Valterri Bottas ensuring a Mercedes one-two as he claimed second place. The podium was rounded out by Max Verstappen, while his former Red Bull teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, claimed the fastest lap accolade.
Value Bet
Fastest Lap – Daniel Ricciardo @ 100/1
With a load of rain set to fall on Sunday, I’m going to have a little punt on Ricciardo to claim another fastest lap at Spa. He knows how to drive in the wet and the big guns will be relying on strategy rather than speed this weekend.
Verdict
To Win Race Outright – Lewis Hamilton @11/10
This is a really tricky one as Hamilton and Verstappen are solid wet weather drivers, but I’m going to give the Brit the edge here. I think he’s a bit more solid in the rain than his Championship rival and I can see him sneaking a win here, at a track he tends to deliver on.
