Formula 1, Round 14: The 2024 Belgian Grand Prix

One more race before the August break, and Oscar Piastri’s win in Hungary has kept the season exciting with him being the seventh different winner in just 13 races. With Spa-Francorchamps up next, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top in Belgium. Here’s a look at some Spa-Francorchamps stats to help you get in the mix of things:

When was the track built?

• The original, triangle-shaped track was built in 1921.
• Designers: Jules de Thier and Henri Langlois van Ophem.
• Used public roads between Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot.
• Original length: 14.9km, encompassing the forests and rolling hills of the Ardennes region.
• Redeveloped in 1979 to a length of 7.004km, making it the longest track on the current calendar.

When was its first Grand Prix?

• Hosted a non-championship Grand Prix in 1924.
• Part of Formula 1’s first championship in 1950.
• The 1950 race was won by Juan Manuel Fangio, leading an Alfa Romeo one-two ahead of Nino Farina.

What’s the circuit like?

• Spa is one of Formula 1 drivers’ most loved tracks.
• Features a mix of long straights and challenging fast corners.
• Allows drivers to push their cars to the limit, especially in dry conditions.
• The track’s size and Belgian weather can cause varying grip, with rain possible on one part of the track and dry conditions on another.
• Watch for the thrilling Eau Rouge sequence, where drivers flick left, right, and then up the hill through Raidillon.

The Title Fight

Yes, we’re talking about a championship battle again, even with some big gaps in the drivers’ standings.

Lando Norris wasn’t sure if he’d have to give his spot back to Oscar Piastri in Hungary partly because he believes he still has a shot at beating Max Verstappen for the drivers’ championship this year. And the stats actually support him.

Norris is 76 points behind Verstappen, which is more than three race wins, but 39 of those points were gained in the first two races when McLaren’s car wasn’t very competitive. Since they upgraded in Miami, the points difference between Norris and Verstappen has only been 26 points.

It’s a lot closer in the constructors’ championship, where McLaren’s one-two in Hungary cut the gap to Red Bull by 27 points to just 51. Ferrari also got a bit closer and are now 67 points behind.

There’s also talk of a power unit penalty for Verstappen this weekend at Spa, a track where he’s made impressive comebacks from similar grid drops before. Team principal Christian Horner has admitted a penalty is likely this season, but we’ll see if they take it this race.

Spa: An Old School Classic Venue

Spa-Francorchamps is an iconic track in F1, known for its stunning location, elevation changes, diverse corners, and passionate fans. The weather often plays a challenging role here, and the track in the Ardennes Forest has seen many memorable races. F1’s newest winner, Oscar Piastri, even calls it his favorite track. “It’s a very fun circuit,” Piastri said. “In the junior categories, it was always good for racing and should be in F1 as well. It has a nice, flowing layout.”

He added that there’s never going to be another track like Spa, nestled in a forest with its unique undulation, making it special. This season has been full of different winners and unpredictability, with no driver winning more than two races in a row, and Spa-Francorchamps could continue that trend.

Fine Cracks at Red Bull?

There was a lot of focus on the strategic calls from both McLaren and Red Bull during the Hungarian Grand Prix, and the drivers’ reactions. But let’s not forget the bigger picture: Red Bull missed the podium for the second time in three races and are on their longest winless streak since the end of 2021. Instead of criticizing Red Bull, this highlights their incredible run of success and consistency. But now they’re being consistently challenged, which can sometimes lead to imperfect weekends.

With all the focus on his future, Sergio Perez crashed in Q1 in Hungary, and though his strategy and strong drive got him to seventh, Verstappen was frustrated with his strategy, ending up fifth. Whether the strategy was right or wrong, the spotlight gets brighter when a dominant team stops winning regularly. Red Bull has a history of success, but they’re facing tougher competition now.

The Final Chance Before the Break

This competitive season is taking a short pause in August, with teams having a mandatory two-week shutdown between Spa-Francorchamps and the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

With 14 races down and 10 to go, it’s a good time to rest and recharge before the final European rounds and the flyaway races. But Belgium carries extra importance because a good result will boost team morale heading into the break, while a poor one will linger all summer.

Using Red Bull and Verstappen as an example, they’re slightly frustrated after Hungary with McLaren’s one-two and strategic decisions in focus. But they still lead both championships and will enjoy the break more if they end with a solid race rather than a tough one.

The Driver Market Talk

Hungary also saw some movement in the driver market. Kevin Magnussen’s departure from Haas at the end of the season was announced, making him available for teams looking to add experience. Haas has signed Frenchman Esteban Ocon on a multi-year deal to replace the exiting Magnussen.

While official meetings might be secretive, the last weekend before the mid-season break is often when future talks are outlined and teams and drivers plan final discussions. This can lead to rumors about potential moves as everyone tries to understand the driver market before taking a few weeks off.