Support NeoGAF

[DrM]

After stormy night, weather is dry in Spa. Overcast still lingers on, but rain seems less likely for the start of the race - we will see, it is quite hard to predict rain in Ardens. But it will be cold, and we know who like this and who is struggling in cold.

 

[Nolan.]

After an amazing Quali (probably my favourite quali of the season) I just love how Spa just delivers, so excited for today's race, really hoping Merc can start applying some good pressure to Redbull.

 

[prettyvacant77]

Quoting epic preview post for new page

2012 Race Summary

Pastor Maldonado let his clutch slip a fraction too soon and started his race before the lights had gone out, passing the Saubers. Grosjean made a good start and moved up to the inside of La Source, but in doing so, squeezed Hamilton between himself and the pitwall. The two touched wheels, both drivers losing control. Grosjean then speared into the back of Pérez and became airborne, crashing heavily into Alonso, missing Alonso's head by a few inches. Grosjean came to rest at the outside wall. Hamilton crashed into Kobayashi as well as Alonso after Grosjean's heavy impact. Pérez lost his rear wing from Grosjean's hit and touched Maldonado when the accident happened, making Maldonado spin. Only the latter two emerged from the crash, Kobayashi with a substantial hole in the side of his car. Kobayashi who had started on the front row for Sauber, pitted after the accident and resumed in last place. Once Maldonaldo recovered from his spin he hit Timo Glock after the safety car restart. Narain Karthikeyan's HRT spun off backwards and hit into the tyre wall late in the race after a wheel came loose. After starting the race in 14th, Felipe Massa fought hard to get the fifth place, ahead of Red Bull’s Mark Webber. Bruno Senna had eighth position secured but due to a slow puncture he had to make a pitstop with only four laps left in the race, dropping him to 12th.

Button, who started on pole, was never under threat as Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel fought from 10th to 2nd, ahead of Lotus' Kimi Räikkönen.

[Click for Onboard]

Laps

44​

Circuit length

7.004 km (4.352 mi)​

Race length

308.052 km (191.410 mi)​

Lap Record

Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull Renault - 2009 - 1:47.263​

Most Wins (Drivers)

Michael Schumacher (6)​

Most Wins (Constructors)

Ferrari (16)​

Previous Winners & Pole Positions

2012 - Winner: Jenson Button - McLaren Mercedes

Pole: Jenson Button - McLaren Mercedes - 1:47.573​

2011 - Winner: Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull Renault

Pole: Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull Renault - 1:48.298​

2010 - Winner: Lewis Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes

Pole: Mark Webber - Red Bull Renault - 1:45.778​

2009 - Winner: Kimi Räikkönen - Ferrari

Pole: Giancarlo Fisichella - Force India Mercedes - 1:46.308​

2008 - Winner: Felipe Massa - Ferrari (After penalty applied)

Pole: Lewis Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes - 1:47.338​

2007 - Winner: Kimi Räikkönen - Ferrari

Pole: Kimi Räikkönen - Ferrari - 1:45.994​

2006 - Race Not Held

2005 - Winner: Kimi Räikkönen - McLaren Mercedes

Pole: Juan Pablo Montoya - McLaren Mercedes - 1:46.391​

Video Highlights

Dangerous Classic F1 - 1955 Belgium GP

Footage from the 1961 Belgium GP.

Highlights from the 2008 Belgian GP.

Highlights from the 2012 Belgium GP.

Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill battle it out at the 1995 Belgian Grand Prix.

Highlights from the 1998 Belgium GP.

Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen fight for position at the 2000 Belgian Grand Prix.

Changes from 2012

-The tyre barriers around the outside of Turns 3 and 4 have been renewed.

-Additional kerbs, 50mm above the existing kerbs, will be installed behind the kerbs on the apex of Turns 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

GP Facts

-Spa was one of the venues for the inaugural F1 World Championship season in 1950. It has been the circuit used for the bulk of Belgian Grands Prix, hosting the race for 45 of its 57 runnings.

-Sebastian Vettel leads the World Championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix. This traditionally has been a point at which championship potential is assessed, regardless of the number of races that follow. Recent history suggests the leader after Hungary is rarely overhauled. In the last 13 seasons, only four times has the lead been relinquished. Michael Schumacher trailed Mika Häkkinen in 2000, Kimi Räikkönen was third in 2007 with Lewis Hamilton leading, and Vettel himself lay third in both 2010 and 2012, Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso respectively spending the summer break on top.

-Michael Schumacher reigns supreme at Spa-Franchorchamps with six victories (1992, 1995-97, 2001-02). He made his F1 debut at Spa in 1991 and came back to record his first F1 victory a year later. Victory in 2001 was Schumacher’s 52nd, overtaking Alain Prost at the top of the order. He refers to it affectionately as his ‘living room’. In 2012 it was the venue for his 300th Grand Prix.

-The 2012 Belgian Grand Prix marked the end of an unusual run for another world champion. Räikkönen’s F1 record at Spa prior to this saw the Finn either win or fail to finish every time he came to the famous circuit. With Sauber in 2001 he failed to get off the line. He had an engine failure with McLaren in 2002 and spun off in the final laps while dicing for the lead in 2008. He’s won the race in 2003-05 and 2009. His ’04 and ’09 victories came in uncompetitive cars that failed to record other wins in those seasons. In 2012 he could only manage third – which nevertheless means he’s been on the podium at every Belgium Grand Prix ever time he’s seen the chequered flag.

-McLaren share with Lotus the distinction of having won the Belgian Grand Prix at all three venues to host it. In addition to their 12 wins at Spa, McLaren have a John Watson victory at Zolder in 1982, while Emerson Fittipaldi triumphed at Nivelles in 1974. The only other grand prix the Nivelles circuit was also won by Fittipaldi, driving for Lotus in 1972, for whom Gunnar Nilsson (1977) and Mario Andretti (1978) won at Zolder, while Jim Clark (1962-65)) and Ayrton Senna (1985) triumphed at Spa.

Drivers Championship Standings

Constructors Championship Standings

Fantasy Championship Standings

 

[DieH@rd]

Preshow is starting on Sky. I'm hoping for a excellent race.

 

[TCRS]

nice one Leunam. goddamn Alonso was so lucky, fucking crashjean.

makes me sad to see them this year even further behind than last year :/ I swear if they don't get better next year Alonso has to bail. And I'm saying that as a lifelong Ferrari fan..

 

[Addnan]

Who picks what they wear on Sky. They are all wearing the same thing lol.

A BBC weekend though . Woo. Wish their pre race was longer.

 

[Hackbert]

ahw yeah, F1 time. what long 4 weeks. and 7 weeks without this thread ^^. Greetings

 

[Diablohead]

SO HYPE for this race

 

[Hackbert]

that massive clouds are looking like fun. Spa time ^^

 

[Sloane]

that massive clouds are looking like fun. Spa time ^^

Let's hope so, no rain expected for now!

 

[theignoramus]

im ready

 

[Adam Scott Aukerman]

EJ expects RBR to announce DR early next week.

 

[nny]

No such thing as a spa without water. Here's hoping for it.

 

[Addnan]

Alonso starting too close to Kimi. Every fucking race.

 

[Deadman]

Webber getting his poor start excuses in early this week

 

[Zeknurn]

Webber getting his poor start excuses in early this week

Haha yep.

 

[DieH@rd]

Two Greenpeace guys landed on the roof of the main stands. They are preparing something.

 

[Sloane]

lol Greenpeace or whatever that is.

Everyone seems to think it will be a dry race, meh.

 

[ClassyPenguin]

Ah, F1. I miss thee.

 

[marvelharvey]

What's Bernie going to do with these Greenpeace protester?

 

[Diablohead]

lol Greenpeace or whatever that is.

Everyone seems to think it will be a dry race, meh.

I'm waiting for thrown toilet rolls of some kind, surely they can't only be abseiling down to the cops.

 

[nny]

What's Bernie going to do with these Greenpeace protester?

The snipers from a couple of races ago are prepping as we speak.

 

[Addnan]

Webber confirmed DR as his replacement, guess that's that.

 

[Mastah]

Andrew Benson ‏@andrewbensonf1 2m

Webber to Channel 10 re Red Bull "The decision's made. We all know who it is. I'm happy with that decision. It's good for him and Australia"

Shocking, isn't it?

 

[DrM]

What's Bernie going to do with these Greenpeace protester?

They will disappear in Arden woods...

Rain is creeping towards racetrack, it should arrive in 45-60 minutes

 

[Adam Scott Aukerman]

What's Bernie going to do with these Greenpeace protester?

Quietly feed them to a couple of killer whales, probably.

 

[hadareud]

That anthem.

Oh dear.

 

[Nolan.]

SPA! :0 so excited

 

[CurlySaysX]

Vettel
Kimi
Webber.

 

[navanman]

Dry start, could be a completely dry race.

 

[Mogwai]

SPA! :0 so excited

Yep. One of the best races on the calendar.

 

[nny]

Let's do this.

That lovely track inclination <3

 

[Dead Man]

Phew, just made it back with pizza in time for the start.

 

[olore]

Phew, just made it back with pizza in time for the start.

Me too, basically left my fiancee at Vapiano to rush back just in time. Lets hope Lewis can take the fight to the RBs

 

[Omiee]

Mercedes are probably going to be to quick today.

Anyways wishing for an exciting spa race what ever happens.

 

[navanman]

Vettel locks up rear tyre warming up.

 

[Ce-Lin]

no rain ? f* it

 

[Gareth Bale]

I have a feeling Vettel will take the lead in the first lap

 

[Shaneus]

Ahaha, fuck you Webber.

 

[Omiee]

button starting really good. rosberh as well.

alonso as always

 

[nny]

Nicely done, Seb

 

[keit4]

Alonso 5th!!!

 

[Sloane]

Good job, Ham...

 

[Lach]

Great start by Hulk! Little touching with Sutil but all good!

 

[ClassyPenguin]

Let the Vettel hate commence.

lol @ Webber start

 

[kharma45]

Fucking Vettel.

 

[navanman]

Terrible straight line speed for mercedes

 

[Salacious Crumb]

commencing rain dance

 

[Dead Man]

RBR finally figured out that top speed is good sometimes.

 

[Az]

web shit.