2018 Belgian Grand Prix - Spa Francorchamps, 24-26 August

[Danlizzyman]

I've been checking the forecast often as I'm attending the race this weekend, Saturday now forecast to be 10 degrees, that's crazy for August! If any sessions are run in the dry they'll struggle big time to get temp into the tyres.

8 degrees, coldest period in the night. 14 degrees highest during the day, thus still way too low. Rain expected throughout the weekend. I expect something similar to Hockenheim where one area of the track is still dry and other area are very wet. Low temperatures with inters or wets, will be similar as driving on ice. Could be the most exciting race of the year.

A race does not get exciting in such conditions. It just gets chaotic and mostly things happen which shouldn’t happen.

Your definition of exciting must be different to mine then, chaos is welcome in my book! Hamilton will be relishing the thought of that weather at this stage, I wouldn't bet against him.

[GPR-A duplicate2]

I've been checking the forecast often as I'm attending the race this weekend, Saturday now forecast to be 10 degrees, that's crazy for August! If any sessions are run in the dry they'll struggle big time to get temp into the tyres.

8 degrees, coldest period in the night. 14 degrees highest during the day, thus still way too low. Rain expected throughout the weekend. I expect something similar to Hockenheim where one area of the track is still dry and other area are very wet. Low temperatures with inters or wets, will be similar as driving on ice. Could be the most exciting race of the year.

A race does not get exciting in such conditions. It just gets chaotic and mostly things happen which shouldn’t happen.

Why? If that is not good for the spectacle, then racing on simulators would be the only thing that would make sense, because in simulators, it never rains and neither you spend money for broken parts!

As much as the skill is required to drive a car on full speed and not overdo it in dry, to make the best possible lap, after having practiced over and over again throughout a weekend, would be different to controlling a car in an unpredictable environment. Only few can excel in both and that is who you should appreciate and such opportunities are rare in a calendar. So let's see who can excel this weekend and enjoy!

[godlameroso]

Quick weather note, although the probability of rain is high, particularly Saturday, the predicted rainfall amount is low. In other words it won't come down in buckets, it'll be light. As a strategic call, I'd wait until the last moment possible to switch tires unless the whole track is getting nature's tinkle.

[WaikeCU]

Quick weather note, although the probability of rain is high, particularly Saturday, the predicted rainfall amount is low. In other words it won't come down in buckets, it'll be light. As a strategic call, I'd wait until the last moment possible to switch tires unless the whole track is getting nature's tinkle.

That's the difficult part. This is the longest track on the calendar I think. Too late and you'll lose a lot of time struggling for grip on a damp,wet track. Too early and you'll cook those inters or wets on a dry surface.

[cplchanb]

lets see if we can reclaim the track record from the 919 evo!

[Sierra117]

lets see if we can reclaim the track record from the 919 evo!

Let's be fair and do it sans regulations like the EVO too

[Juzh]

pole lap with telemetry
HQ: https://streamable.com/e2pbo

[Big Tea]

lets see if we can reclaim the track record from the 919 evo!

Let's be fair and do it sans regulations like the EVO too

They could use unlimited 'letric and fuel flow also any weight saving etc in free practice, I hope someone does go for it

[Just_a_fan]

pole lap with telemetry
HQ: https://streamable.com/e2pbo

https://streamable.com/e2pbo

I didn't notice the slight lift in to Pouhon before. That seems to be the "interesting" corner these days, not Eau Rouge - Radillion.

[MtthsMlw]

Norris will replace Alonso in FP1.

[Juzh]

pole lap with telemetry
HQ: https://streamable.com/e2pbo

https://streamable.com/e2pbo

I didn't notice the slight lift in to Pouhon before. That seems to be the "interesting" corner these days, not Eau Rouge - Radillion.

Agree. Eau rouge and radillion are flat even in very close slipstream.

Some other laps from 2017

Bottas first Q3 lap onboard (143.358) - 2017 Belgian GP


Magnussen Q1 lap onboard (145.535) - 2017 Belgian GP


Verstappen Q3 lap onboard (1:43.380) - 2017 Belgian GP

[falonso81]

So, when Ferrari change their PU, Kimi will go from spec 1 to spec 3?

[Just_a_fan]

pole lap with telemetry
HQ: https://streamable.com/e2pbo

https://streamable.com/e2pbo

I didn't notice the slight lift in to Pouhon before. That seems to be the "interesting" corner these days, not Eau Rouge - Radillion.

Agree. Eau rouge and radillion are flat even in very close slipstream.

Some other laps from 2017

Bottas first Q3 lap onboard (143.358) - 2017 Belgian GP
https://streamable.com/tav2g

Magnussen Q1 lap onboard (145.535) - 2017 Belgian GP
https://streamable.com/0th7e

Verstappen Q3 lap onboard (1:43.380) - 2017 Belgian GP
https://streamable.com/1v62j

Wow, Bottas physically braked in to Pouhon and had 277km/h min corner speed compared to Hamilton's 290km/h on the pole winning lap. That's a huge difference.

[MtthsMlw]

So, when Ferrari change their PU, Kimi will go from spec 1 to spec 3?

Most likely, yes.

[f1316]

lets see if we can reclaim the track record from the 919 evo!

Let's be fair and do it sans regulations like the EVO too

They could use unlimited 'letric and fuel flow also any weight saving etc in free practice, I hope someone does go for it

They’ve only got to improve by 0.7 from last year to get a 1:41.7 - I think that would well within range in normal conditions.

That said, maybe it’ll be too cold/rainy.