30/07/2023
NEWS STORY
Naturally we're biased, but we truly believe that British humour is among the best in the world.
Recently, in reaction to the numerous scare stories in the media regarding climate change, after the Meteorological Office claimed that a recent day had been the hottest in 120,000 years, some wag responded asking if they could tell him what the weather was like on 7 April 85,215 BC.
Another wag pointed out how remarkable it is that the Meteorological Office can tell us what the weather was like 120,000 years ago but cannot, with any degree of accuracy, say what it's going to be like tomorrow.
This comes to mind as we head into today's Grand Prix, for as we have seen over the last 48 hours anything can and will happen.
The teams head into the race with plenty of information about the rain tyres, but are pretty much in the dark when it comes to the dry weather versions.
In the case of mixed conditions, the crossover time from dry tyres to intermediates is estimated to be between 1.54/1.55.00, while from the Inters to the wets is between 2.04/2.05.00 (based on a low fuel load).
If it doesn't rain they will all have to base their strategy simulations on data gathered from past races and on how the available compounds have behaved in the first part of this season.
According to Pirelli there is not much difference between a one stop and a two stop, and, without much information, this becomes an even finer line, so there is a bigger chance of some surprises.
While Stroll managed a couple of laps on mediums before coming to grief all slick running so far this weekend has been on the softs, so the teams have no experience of the hards or the yellow-banded rubber, all of which adds to the conundrum.
The surprises aren't restricted to tyres however, for the ever changing conditions have left teams struggling in terms of set-up, and as a result a dry race could prove beneficial for some drivers this afternoon and a disaster for others, especially as some teams have gone in different directions for their two drivers.
This will be a particular worry for McLaren which has gone for a high downforce set-up which will leave both drivers susceptible.
Despite claiming pole by 0.820s, Verstappen starts from sixth on the grid after Red Bull elected to change his gearbox, which means that Leclerc inherits pole with Perez joining him on the front row.
Consequently, the pressure is very much on the Mexican who will be expected not only to grab the lead at the start but do his best to back up the field in favour of his teammate.
Of course, Leclerc is unlikely to want to play along, likewise Hamilton, Sainz and the McLaren pair.
Then again, here more than at any other track, except perhaps Monaco, the first corner is notorious, hence we remind all of the old adage about the fact that the race cannot be won at the first corner but can be lost.
Dry or wet we can expect an interesting race with plenty of overtaking, even if much of this is down to DRS these days.
An hour before the race, though bright there are some dark clouds in the distance and almost every app shows rain at some point this afternoon... incidentally, we understand that it rained here on 30 July 85,215 BC.
The pitlane opens and the drivers begin to head out. "Russell advises that his front brakes do not appear to be biting.
"There is quite a bit of smoke," says Hulkenberg, who will start from the pitlane, "and power is not delivering, there's an issue." The German is subsequently pushed into his garage.
"I'm trying to get this dash to work," says Albon, who cannot see his tyre temps.
Ahead of the formation lap the air temperature is 18 degrees C, while the track temperature is 28 degrees. Risk of rain is 40%.
All are starting on softs bar Piastri, Norris, Russell, Alonso, Stroll, Tsunoda and Hulkenberg who are all on mediums. Understandably it is fresh rubber all round.
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away without any issues.
The grid forms.
They're away! As Leclerc pulls away Perez moves to the right to cover off Hamilton who in turn moves to his left causing Sainz to lock-up.
Leclerc leads around La Source with Perez right behind while Piastri, Sainz and Hamilton are three-abreast with the McLaren on the inside.
Piastri appears to touch the inside wall while exiting the corner he and Sainz clearly clash but are able to continue.
That said, as they head down the hill towards Eau Rouge the Australian is struggling and loses positions to Sainz, Verstappen and Norris.
Indeed he clearly has a problem and almost grinds to a halt heading into Eau Rouge almost collecting an Alpine in the process.
"I don't know what he was doing," says Piastri, "I was there and he just turn in like I didn't exist."
Perez takes the lead up the hill while Verstappen is up to fourth. "I've got damage," reports Piastri. Sainz gives a similar message.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Perez, Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Sainz, Alonso, Norris, Tsunoda, Stroll and Albon.
Though his team can see the damage, Sainz is told to continue as Albon passes Stroll for ninth.
Piastri has stopped on track just before Turn 14.
"Tell me about the damage," asks Sainz. "About 5% aero," he is told.
Alonso smells blood and is all over the rear of the Spaniard's Ferrari as Verstappen ramps up the pressure on Hamilton.
Alonso passes Sainz at Le Combes for fifth, as Perez builds a 2.1s lead.
Hulkenberg is up to 17th, ahead of his Haas teammate.
Under braking for the final chicane, Stroll passes Norris for 9th.
Sainz' day goes from bad to worse as he is passed by Tsunoda for 6th.
"You are doing great with the car," Sainz is assured.
"Ferrari has been off at Turn 9 every lap," reports Hamilton of Leclerc.
Norris, Magnussen and Ricciardo all pit at the end of Lap 5, as Verstappen passes Hamilton at Les Combes.
A train is now building behind Sainz, it includes Russell, Ocon, Sargeant, Bottas, Gasly, Zhou and Hulkenberg.
Ocon and Bottas pit at the end of Lap 6, as Verstappen closes on Leclerc.
"Massive vibration," reports Zhou.
A new fastest lap (52.130) sees Verstappen get within DRS range of Leclerc.
Albon and Sainz both pit at the end of Lap 7, as does Zhou, while Magnussen posts a new fastest lap (51.534).
Sainz rejoins in 18th.
"Potential rain on the radar, twenty minutes away," Hamilton is told, "not very strong though."
Check out our Sunday gallery from Spa here.
Sargeant pits at the end of Lap 8 as Verstappen passes Leclerc with ease at Les Combes. Red Bull 1-2.
Tsunoda pits at the end of Lap 9, the Japanese rejoining in 10th ahead of Albon. Teammate Ricciardo is currently 15th.
Albon passes Tsunoda for 10th while Ricciardo grabs 14th from his former teammate Norris.
Alonso pits at the end of Lap 10, the Spaniard rejoining in 8th ahead of Hulkenberg.
"None of this is helping mate," says Norris, as Hulkenberg passes Alonso. Incidentally, Alonso is on hards, as is Norris.
Having slipped to 18th, Sainz has his time deleted after running wide at Turn 4.
Hamilton pits at the end of Lap 12, the seven-time champ rejoining in 4th. Hulkenberg also pits, the German rejoining in 19th.
Perez pits as does Leclerc, as Verstappen is told to keep his head and follow instructions. "Max, follow my instruction and trust it," the world champion is firmly told.
Warned of rain in ten minutes, Verstappen is asked if he can keep his tyres until then. "I can't see the weather radar can I," he replies and subsequently pits, rejoining in second, 1.9s down on his teammate.
Lap 14 sees a new fastest lap from Hamilton (51.523).
Alonso picks off Russell to take 6th, with teammate Stroll next up the road.
Verstappen's pursuit of his teammate is relentless, the Dutchman posting a 50.696 as he closes to within 0.166s of the Mexican. Up the hill to Les Combes he sweeps past his teammate to take the lead.
Russel passes Stroll for 6th, both of whom have yet to stop, as has Gasly, who is just behind.
"What's he doing," asks Sargeant of Norris as Sainz is warned of rain in four minutes.
At which point Norris pits. It's a slow stop and he rejoins in 19th.
In the stands the fans are beginning to put their ponchos on.
Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (50.108) as he build a 2.52s comfort cushion.
"This rain will last for ten minutes," Leclerc is advised.
Gasly passes Stroll to take 7th, the Canadian now under pressure from Tsunoda. Indeed, the AlphaTauri driver picks off the Aston Martin at La Source on Lap 20.
Stroll pits at the end of Lap 20, the Canadian switch to softs. He rejoins in 18th, ahead of Sainz.
"**** I almost lost it," says Verstappen after almost losing it at Eau Rouge as the rain begins to fall.
Norris is all over the back of Sargeant as he appears to find some much-needed pace. Indeed, he passes the American at Rivage to claim 16th.
Ricciardo passes Zhou for 13th.
Russell pits at the end of Lap 22, the Briton fitting a set of new softs. Ricciardo also pits.
Tsunoda passes Gasly who is the only driver still to stop.
Russell passes Sargeant for 15th as the rain, such as it was, appears to have stopped and the skies brighten again.
Gasly finally pits at the end of Lap 23, the Frenchman almost collecting Albon as they both leave the pitlane. The Alpine driver losing precious seconds as there was an issue with his front-left.
Out front, Verstappen leads by 6.2s.
Sainz pits and retires at the end of Lap 24.
Tsunoda, Bottas, Hulkenberg and Sargeant all pit at the end of Lap 25.
"Settle down into standard race management now, Max," you know who is told.
Ocon pits at the end of Lap 25, as do Magnussen and Zhou.
Hulkenberg passes Ricciardo for 15th, the German posting a new fastest lap in the process (49.907).
"Norris is probably going to stop again," Alonso is advised, the McLaren driver appearing to have lost the pace he found during the rain.
Hamilton pits at the end of Lap 27, the Briton heading out on fresh mediums behind Alonso.
"Rears are already struggling a bit," reports Norris after just 10 laps on the softs.
Leclerc pits at the end of Lap 28 as Hamilton sweeps past Alonso on his fresher, softer rubber.
Perez pits at the end of Lap 29, the Mexican rejoining still in second as Alonso also stops. The Spaniard rejoins in fifth, ahead of Russell.
"Good job, thank you guys," says Alonso.
Verstappen pits at the end of Lap 30, the Dutchman rejoining still in the lead.
Albon is the meat in an Alpine sandwich as the trio battle for 10th.
"You used a lot of the tyre on the out lap," Verstappen is told, "not sure that was sensible."
On his fresh rubber, Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (48.922).
A great battle between Gasly and Albon sees the Frenchman come out on top.
As Albon prepares to fight back, Bottas closes in, ready to pick up the pieces. Just ahead, Gasly passes Ocon under braking for Les Combes.
"This tyre had reasonable deg in the first stint," Verstappen is told, "I'd advise you to use your head a bit more."
Albon pits at the end of Lap 33, the Williams driver rejoining in 18th.
"I could always push on and do another stop," says Verstappen, "a little bit of pit stop training." "No, not this time," comes the firm reply.
Tsunoda is under pressure from Ocon.
"Got to be careful dropping too much time, otherwise we've got to make it up later on," Hamilton is told.
Sargeant is shown the black and white for track limits violations.
After 38 laps (of 44), it's: Verstappen, Perez (+ 15s), Leclerc (+ 4.2s), Hamilton (+ 2.5s), Alonso (+ 25s), Russell (+ 2.4s), Norris (+ 7s), Stroll (+ 3.7s), Tsunoda (+ 1.9s) and Ocon (+ 0.3s)
At which point Ocon makes a brilliant move on the Japanese driver to take 9th.
Stroll is told to lift and coast. "We're P8, we need to get to the end," he is told.
Zhou passes Ricciardo for 15th as Albon sizes up Ricciardo.
In quick succession Zhou and Albon pass Hulkenberg, demoting the German to 16th.
Ocon passes Stroll for eighth.
Hamilton is closing the gap to Leclerc, the Briton now just 2.5s down on the Ferrari.
Zhou passes Magnussen for 13th as Albon sizes up the Dane.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Spa here.
Hamilton pits at the end of Lap 42, the Briton switching to mediums in an attempt to claim fastest lap.
Albon passes Magnussen in Blanchimont for 14th.
Verstappen begins the final lap and around the track the Orange Army release their flares.
He takes the flag, 22s ahead of his teammate.
Hamilton goes quickest in S2 and S3, crossing the line at 47.305 to claim fastest lap.
Leclerc is third, ahead of Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, Norris, Ocon, Stroll and Tsunoda.
Gasly is eleventh, ahead of Bottas, Zhou, Albon, Magnussen, Ricciardo, Sargeant and Hulkenberg.
"We've had quite a positive weekend in terms of pace," says Leclerc. "It's a shame for Carlos as we had good pace, but if you look at Red Bull... they are quite far ahead still.
"The pace was there to keep Lewis behind," he adds, "and then I knew he was pitting for fastest lap, so that made my life easier."
"It was a good race for the team," adds Perez, "we had a great start to get through Charles which was one of the targets for today.
"I was doing my own race, Max came through pretty fast, there was nothing I could do there. Then it was just about bringing it home.
"I look forward to not leaving the podium again from now until the end of the year."
"It's a new spot to win from P6," laughs Verstappen. "I knew we had a good car, it was just about surviving Turn 1. It all got very tight and I just stayed out of that.
"This track is super hard on the tyres, so you don't want to do unnecessary things. It was tricky with the laps that it was raining, I had a little sideways moment, definitely not a corner you want it to happen on."
On a day when the biggest talking point was the singer of the national anthem, we really did need a little more rain to spice things up.
Verstappen heads into the summer break with his 8th consecutive victory - not counting the two Sprints - while Red Bull has 12 consecutive wins in a single season and likely to add more.
It would be good to think that the break will see the teams come back with a few tricks up their collective sleeves and a possibility of upsetting the order, but as there is a two-week mandatory shutdown that is highly unlikely.
Some good overtakes and battle today, but sadly DRS remains a key factor.
In all honesty, watching the legendary Jacky Icky on the grid ahead of the race we wondered what he thinks of the likes of DRS, not to mention the constant outcry over the weather conditions... the Belgian having made his Formula One Grand Prix debut at the Nurburgring - on the Nordschleife - in an F2 Matra entered by Ken Tyrrell.
Then again, he was involved in a horrific first lap accident with John Taylor who sadly lost his life.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Spa here.