Hamilton-Verstappen fight resumes - What to expect from the Belgian Grand Prix
Hamilton-Verstappen fight resumes - What to expect from the Belgian Grand Prix
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.
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.
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Current F1 star qualifies for world championship race on two wheels
- 29 minutes ago
Ricciardo given HUGE boost after upgrade claim
- 1 hour ago
‘Absolute b******s’ - Newey’s wife SLAMS Red Bull F1 claims
- 2 hours ago
Norris INJURED at party with legendary DJ
- 3 hours ago
Newey tipped to POACH key Red Bull staff if he joins F1 rivals
- Today 18:57
F1 paddock favourite admits immense DOUBTS over Verstappen Red Bull future
- Today 17:57
Related news
Legendary F1 circuit could be ditched due to spiralling costs
F1 confirms renewal of KEY race contract until 2025
Brundle names the ONE F1 driver operating well above expectations
F1 legend slams UNFAIR FIA proposal after 'deceiving fans'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860