2022 Belgian Grand Prix - Spa-Francorchamps - Aug 26 - 28

[Wouter]

From Formu1a Uno

Ferrari: new hybrid and penalty for Leclerc. Will Sainz challenge RedBull?

At Ferrari, the particular strategy - wanted and due - of engine management continues. In Belgium only Charles Leclerc will take penalties, preparing for a comeback race with the novelty of the updated hybrid. Carlos Sainz will have the task of challenging Red Bull and start the chase for Ferrari's two world titles.
25/08/2022 Authors: Paolo D'Alessandro & Giuliano Duchessa

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator

https://www.formu1a.uno/ferrari-nuovo-i ... a-redbull/

[Schippke]

Any predictions for the weekend?

For some reason, I feel it's going to be Red Bull/Mercedes/Ferrari in that order... more so down to pace alone. Will be interesting to see how much of a difference (if any) the technical directives make this weekend.

Expecting another Ferrari masterclass on strategy too if its a Wet one... maybe they'll chance it on Intermediates when its raining cats and dogs. Fuji 2007 anyone?

[Zynerji]

Any predictions for the weekend?

For some reason, I feel it's going to be Red Bull/Mercedes/Ferrari in that order... more so down to pace alone. Will be interesting to see how much of a difference (if any) the technical directives make this weekend.

Expecting another Ferrari masterclass on strategy too if its a Wet one... maybe they'll chance it on Intermediates when its raining cats and dogs. Fuji 2007 anyone?

I think McLaren and possibly Alpha Tauri to go better than expected here. HAAS might be the Dark Horse bet for podium however.

[LM10]

T1 will be interesting now with the gravel… How many cars will end up “beached” after the start?

https://i.imgur.com/MYMhXpK.jpg

They’ll all try to stay on the track instead of using the run off to gain an advantage.

La Source is an overtaking opportunity. Will we see some circumspection from drivers as the risk of being "invited" to drive in to the gravel on exit risks a race-ending outcome.

It'll be interesting to see if:
a - there are fewer attempts, and/or
b - we see drivers penalised for forcing another in to the gravel.

As for option b, no matter how harsh the penalty is, it will not be as painful as for the other driver having to end the race before it even really started.

What’s up with that gravel out of the blue this year? Any reason?

[Just_a_fan]

They’ll all try to stay on the track instead of using the run off to gain an advantage.

La Source is an overtaking opportunity. Will we see some circumspection from drivers as the risk of being "invited" to drive in to the gravel on exit risks a race-ending outcome.

It'll be interesting to see if:
a - there are fewer attempts, and/or
b - we see drivers penalised for forcing another in to the gravel.

As for option b, no matter how harsh the penalty is, it will not be as painful as for the other driver having to end the race before it even really started.

What’s up with that gravel out of the blue this year? Any reason?

If someone does deliberately drive someone in to the gravel then yes, a penalty is required.

At La Source, I don't see why they need gravel up to the edge of the track but maybe it's there for bikes or some other racing series. If they've done it to stop drivers taking the mickey, why not use a sensor like they have at Raidillon?

[Zynerji]

Drivers will not dive bomb in the midfield at the start. I'm sure the teams are hammering that home with the drivers...

[Wouter]

[214270]

[Noetiepoerker26]

What’s up with that gravel out of the blue this year? Any reason?

I believe that the majority of the track's changes were carried out to better accommodate motorcycle races, Spa wants to organise a 24H motorcycle endurance race. The changes are obligated by the FIM as far as I'm concerned.

[f1316]

Don’t forget that the final parts of the hybrid - not all of which are yet frozen - will be frozen from Sept. So if Ferrari and Honda (or Mercedes for that matter) have anything at all to bring to those components that will add performance, it’s only logical to do it as even the slightest improvement is one that will be locked in for 3.5 years.

Ferrari bound to do it at Spa rather than Monza - at least with the lead car - but will only take a 5 place penalty; Red Bull have enough gap in the championship that they can afford to race through from the back (and still get top 5 if not podium).

[search]

sounds more likely to be a full new unit for both. Especially in Red Bull's case it's basically a given (if they take a penalty), as they aren't even on the limit for ES elements yet - and I can't see how it's supposed to make change to bring 2 new ES elements but nothing else.

[Alexf1]

Don't see any need for RB yet to take PU parts that cause penalties after having both take a fresh set in Hungary. Better keep building the points gap and take one in US.

[organic]

sounds more likely to be a full new unit for both. Especially in Red Bull's case it's basically a given (if they take a penalty), as they aren't even on the limit for ES elements yet - and I can't see how it's supposed to make change to bring 2 new ES elements but nothing else.

Max is also at the limit for gearbox which I expect he'll take. So almost certainly a full change of everything

They clearly expected to be taking some form of penalty at spa (be it engine or gearbox) and so went to the limit with the other component; they took two new gearboxes in the past couple of races and two new engines at Hungary, making them ready for a full back of the grid drop at spa

[Neuron]

Monza seems to be no-brainer for this. Very easy and safe overtaking on long straights, even easier with new PU and so on + RB has very low drag.

[Wouter]

Don't see any need for RB yet to take PU parts that cause penalties after having both take a fresh set in Hungary. Better keep building the points gap and take one in US.

.
The new PU will have an upgraded MGU-K and ES, so more power. Leclerc will do the same, so it would be stupid not to take the upgraded ERS system.