Hamilton-Verstappen fight resumes - What to expect from the Belgian Grand Prix

F1 returns from its summer break at an iconic circuit

Ewan Gale

Tuesday 24 August 2021 08:00

F1 returns from its traditional summer break with this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix and a resumption of the nip-and-tuck title scrap between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

Before the August shutdown, Hamilton managed to reclaim the lead of the drivers' standings, scoring 43 points from the British and Hungarian Grand Prix to just the two for Verstappen to open up a slender eight-point cushion.

Mercedes, meanwhile, has a 12-point lead over Red Bull after outscoring its rivals by 58 points to two over the same two races.

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While some of the tensions that had built up at Silverstone and the Hungaroring may have since cooled over the break, here is what to at least expect at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Hamilton vs Verstappen resumes

If you had told Hamilton after the Austrian GP he would lead the championship over the summer break, the chances are he would have scoffed and turned away.

Red Bull was utterly dominant across five races from Monaco through to the second event at the Red Bull Ring before bad luck ground its championship charge to an abrupt halt.

The break came at the perfect time to allow Verstappen and Red Bull the opportunity to regroup ahead of the next triple-header.

It has almost become a thankless task trying to predict which car will be fastest at a given circuit due to the topsy-turvy nature of the championship battle.

Given the drama seen in the first laps of the previous two races, all eyes will be on the run through Eau Rouge, Radillion and into Les Combes should the championship leaders again qualify alongside each other.

McLaren to prosper

Long straights, high-downforce corners with high minimum speeds? That will be music to McLaren's ears.

With both cars involved in the Hungarian GP turn one meleé and Carlos Sainz taking a podium for Ferrari, McLaren finds itself level on points with the Scuderia in the race for third.

Lando Norris' incredible run of points finishes was ended in the collision with Valtteri Bottas and Verstappen last time out but he will now look to bounce back and impress in his second home race.

The key to the team's weekend will be whether it can put together a qualifying performance with both Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. Given the slipstream effect on the first lap, a strong grid position could set up a podium opportunity.

Aston Martin to shrug off disqualification

In the chaos of Budapest, Alpine and Aston Martin took full advantage as Esteban Ocon tussled for the entire race with Sebastian Vettel over the top two positions.

Vettel was unable to take home his runner-up trophy, however, as he was disqualified after the FIA was unable to extract a litre of fuel from his AMR21.

What is certain is that Aston Martin has improved from its early-season struggles to cement itself in the midfield and will look to add further points in Belgium, no doubt with something to prove now it lies 20 points adrift of AlphaTauri in the standings.

The Silverstone-based team has traditionally performed well at this venue in all of its various guises, so don't be surprised if there is another good showing this weekend.

Gasly to continue Red Bull push

Such has been the brilliance of Pierre Gasly's performances this season, Nico Rosberg insisted Red Bull must return the Frenchman to its line-up for 2022.

Gasly sits eighth in the drivers' standings with a podium to his name already and the AlphaTauri driver will look to continue his strong campaign at a venue close to his heart.

The Honda engine in the back of the AT02 will be useful down the Kemmel Straight and on the run through Blanchimont, with speed in these areas crucial to get the better of his midfield competitors.

How long can he keep putting his hand up for a top drive again?

Williams and Alfa Romeo battle to grow

A double points finish for Williams in Hungary would have taken Alfa Romeo by surprise.

The Swiss-Italian outfit would have been confident at the beginning of the season that eighth would likely be its worst championship outlook, yet an inability to reach the top 10 and Williams' Hungarian result leaves a seven-point gap between the teams.

Team principal Fred Vasseur believes more chaotic races may be needed to take back the position, whilst Williams will hope to carry its momentum.

Qualifying has been scintillating for George Russell whilst Alfa Romeo has struggled on Saturdays.

Should chaos return on Sunday, the battle between the two teams could be incredibly important by the end of the season.