2024 Belgian Grand Prix - Spa-Francorchamps, July 26 - 28

[chrisc90]

Don’t forget if they take a penalty, p11 is best starting spot for max

[Formula 1 fan]

Could the qualifying lap record be beaten this weekend?

[basti313]

If Red Bull aren't the clear best here, they're in big trouble for the rest of the season. This has been their most dominant circuit over the past couple of years, with easy 1-2s in 2022/23.

I think one big question is if the curbs are changed with the repavement. This might play a big role in this.

[f1onions]

Could the qualifying lap record be beaten this weekend?

The current track record is a 1:41.252 (hamilton, 2020).
Verstappen did a 1:43.665 in 2022 (last dry quali).
Unless the track has been completely resurfaced with very high-grip asphalt and the track temps are perfect, we won't see a track record.
Though I think 2017 and 2019 pole laps will be beaten.

[basti313]

Could the qualifying lap record be beaten this weekend?

The current track record is a 1:41.252 (hamilton, 2020).
Verstappen did a 1:43.665 in 2022 (last dry quali).
Unless the track has been completely resurfaced with very high-grip asphalt and the track temps are perfect, we won't see a track record.
Though I think 2017 and 2019 pole laps will be beaten.

Well, GT3 was 3sec faster. The big question is how this translates to F1.

[mclaren111]

The Greatest Circuit of All !!!

Amen...

[f1onions]

Could the qualifying lap record be beaten this weekend?

The current track record is a 1:41.252 (hamilton, 2020).
Verstappen did a 1:43.665 in 2022 (last dry quali).
Unless the track has been completely resurfaced with very high-grip asphalt and the track temps are perfect, we won't see a track record.
Though I think 2017 and 2019 pole laps will be beaten.

Well, GT3 was 3sec faster. The big question is how this translates to F1.

I actually didn't realise that the track had been completely resurfaced. Pirelli expect to see “a significant reduction in lap times and a considerable increase in the grip level on the resurfaced sections.”

Sounds like the 2020 pole lap is quite beatable in dry conditions.

[sport777]

Could the qualifying lap record be beaten this weekend?

The current track record is a 1:41.252 (hamilton, 2020).
Verstappen did a 1:43.665 in 2022 (last dry quali).
Unless the track has been completely resurfaced with very high-grip asphalt and the track temps are perfect, we won't see a track record.
Though I think 2017 and 2019 pole laps will be beaten.

if the question is whether this year's cars can beat the W11 record, I think not, firstly, it's raining on Saturday, secondly, the W11 was tuned for downforce then and Hamilton drove the second sector, I think 42.4, which is insanely fast, while the W11 was so aerodynamically efficient that it lost very little time on the straights, but I still think the record could have been set by the SF71H in 2018, in Q2 then Ferrari showed 1.41.5, while according to telemetry it was said that the engine had a power reserve for Q3, it was possible to count on 1.40.8-1.41.0

[erudite450]

Could the qualifying lap record be beaten this weekend?

The current track record is a 1:41.252 (hamilton, 2020).
Verstappen did a 1:43.665 in 2022 (last dry quali).
Unless the track has been completely resurfaced with very high-grip asphalt and the track temps are perfect, we won't see a track record.
Though I think 2017 and 2019 pole laps will be beaten.

if the question is whether this year's cars can beat the W11 record, I think not, firstly, it's raining on Saturday, secondly, the W11 was tuned for downforce then and Hamilton drove the second sector, I think 42.4, which is insanely fast, while the W11 was so aerodynamically efficient that it lost very little time on the straights, but I still think the record could have been set by the SF71H in 2018, in Q2 then Ferrari showed 1.41.5, while according to telemetry it was said that the engine had a power reserve for Q3, it was possible to count on 1.40.8-1.41.0

I still think enforcing parc fermé rules on engine modes was not a good idea.

[f1onions]

Could the qualifying lap record be beaten this weekend?

The current track record is a 1:41.252 (hamilton, 2020).
Verstappen did a 1:43.665 in 2022 (last dry quali).
Unless the track has been completely resurfaced with very high-grip asphalt and the track temps are perfect, we won't see a track record.
Though I think 2017 and 2019 pole laps will be beaten.

if the question is whether this year's cars can beat the W11 record, I think not, firstly, it's raining on Saturday, secondly, the W11 was tuned for downforce then and Hamilton drove the second sector, I think 42.4, which is insanely fast, while the W11 was so aerodynamically efficient that it lost very little time on the straights, but I still think the record could have been set by the SF71H in 2018, in Q2 then Ferrari showed 1.41.5, while according to telemetry it was said that the engine had a power reserve for Q3, it was possible to count on 1.40.8-1.41.0

The setup that Mercedes opted for in 2020 was probably not ideal for a track of this type. They chose a medium downforce configuration because rain was expected for the race. That's why sector 1 was not so impressive, only 1 tenth faster than 2022.

The resurfacing is expected to massively increase the grip levels, which means that a new track record is not out of the question.

[renault rs26]

If you're going to take a new engine and a penalty for it, here or Monza would be the place to do it.

I would say Spa is quite a lot better than Monza given the DRS trains the past years… but it might be less of a problem with the DRS delta RB has. I would bet on this race anyhow!

With Perez's success in Hungary, I suspect that Max should have taken his penalty there.

They didn't know he'd finish 5th. It's best chance for overtaking at Spa.

[Zynerji]

How does Mercedes and AM look here?

[erudite450]

How does Mercedes and AM look here?

It's a high-speed front limited track like Silverstone. The weather is also unpredictable but mild so I expect Mercedes to be very close to McLaren possibly both ahead of Redbull.

No idea what to expect from Aston Martin.

[Vettel165]

If Max wins in Spa from the back of the grid I would be the happiest man alive. Sadly highly unlikely, but will never stop believing as a fan.

[chrisc90]

I can’t see a RBR/max win from the back of the grid. Last year maybe, definitely not this year.

Unless flexi wings occur and some teams get a big nerf. I believe it was spa we might see something if they were flexing?