2023 Belgian Grand Prix - Spa-Francorchamps, July 28 - 30

[DGP123]

Grid decided by championship order, if there’s no Q today.

[organic]

Grid decided by championship order, if there’s no Q today.

McLaren not benefiting from that

Fernando on the other hand...

[mzivtins]

Grid decided by championship order, if there’s no Q today.

What the utter --- is this? Are they insane? Just use the sessions best times.

Wow, f1 does it again.

[Wouter]

Grid decided by championship order, if there’s no Q today.

McLaren not benefiting from that

Fernando on the other hand...

.
It was said here during the broadcast that the FIA is looking at whether qualifying for the GP can be moved to Saturday
if it is not possible to drive now.

[organic]

Grid decided by championship order, if there’s no Q today.

What the utter --- is this? Are they insane? Just use the sessions best times.

Wow, f1 does it again.

I think the problem is due to the sprint there is only 1 free practice, and teams know that qualifying later may be cancelled so they will run fp1 like it is qualifying. And the fp1 conditions are not safe for 20 cars to be doing hotlaps all session

Normally using the best time in free practice if quali couldn't happen wouldnt be so bad: teams wouldn't know until Saturday (after fp1/fp2) if that was very likely to happen.

The sprint format essentially forces a change

[Cs98]

Grid decided by championship order, if there’s no Q today.

McLaren not benefiting from that

Fernando on the other hand...

.
It was said here during the broadcast that the FIA is looking at whether qualifying for the GP can be moved to Saturday
if it is not possible to drive now.

Weather looks worse tomorrow.

[mzivtins]

Cancel every session for the sprint and fill it with what is needed for the race if needed

[organic]

Cancel every session for the sprint and fill it with what is needed for the race if needed

I believe they are prepared to cancel sprint sessions to run the Gp quali yes

[search]

Forecast looks alright for Sunday. So I guess they could do Qualifying Sunday morning, as was the case before?

[McL-H]

They should just let qualifying go ahead. They can drive around the track just fine. It’s among the longest tracks on the calendar so visibility should not be much of a problem either. Just keep your distance from the guy in front. If qualifying is cancelled while conditions stay the same, that would be ludicrous. Damn, I miss old F1.

[Wouter]

https://www.lequipe.fr/Formule-1/Actual ... on/1410642

Otmar Szafnauer and Alan Permane leave Alpine.

TEAM INFO: The Alpine team is continuing its restructuring at a rapid pace. After President Laurent Rossi,
it is the turn of boss Otmar Szafnauer and historic sports director Alan Permane to be dismissed.

They say that in F1, you have to be reactive. Luca De Meo was quick to learn the lesson, he who landed in the middle in the fall of 2020. The general manager of the Renault group decided to quickly clean up. According to our information, a week after having violently put the president of the Alpine brand aside, it is the turn of number two, Otmar Szafnauer, and number three, Alan Permane to be thanked.

For the main team, this is not a surprise. Appointed by Laurent Rossi, his days were numbered. As far as Alan Permane is concerned, the shock is great as the Briton is attached to the Enstone factory for which he had worked since 1989. The news should be made official quickly. Contacted, the team declined to comment.

[haza]

This made me chuckle

[214270]

Grid decided by championship order, if there’s no Q today.

With some creative/Masi AD21 reading of the rules, they might be able to make the case for reverse championship order. Doubt the rules state it must be in highest to lowest order.

[Wouter]

Pat Fry is also leaving Alpine:
.

Pat Fry joins Williams Racing as Chief Technical Officer
Published on 28 Jul 2023

Hear from our new Chief Technical Officer Pat Fry and Team Principal James Vowles
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Pat Fry as our new Chief Technical Officer.
With an illustrious career spanning over three decades in the motorsport industry, Pat brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role, further strengthening the team's technical leadership.
Pat will begin his role on 1 November 2023 and had the following to say: "I am thrilled to be joining Williams Racing as Chief Technical Officer.
“The team has a rich heritage in Formula 1, and I am excited to contribute to its future success.
“I believe in the team's potential and, together, we will strive for excellence on and off the track."
Team Principal James Vowles is already looking forward to working with Pat later this year, sharing: “On behalf of all at Williams Racing, I’m delighted to be welcoming Pat.
“His knowledge and experience will further strengthen the team's technical capabilities and pursuit of excellence as we build the next chapter of Williams.
“Pat has been a core part of winning teams throughout his career, he is one of the most respected experts in our industry and I’m excited to begin work with him when he joins in November.”

[mclaren111]

They should just let qualifying go ahead. They can drive around the track just fine. It’s among the longest tracks on the calendar so visibility should not be much of a problem either. Just keep your distance from the guy in front. If qualifying is cancelled while conditions stay the same, that would be ludicrous. Damn, I miss old F1.