multi21

Spa weather update: Rain on the horizon

30 August 2012





As ever, it is almost impossible to predict how the weather will be for the Belgian Grand Prix thanks to Spa’s unique microclimate. Although qualifying is expected to take place in the dry on Saturday, both Friday and Sunday could be subjected to showers.

Of the three race weekend days, Friday is most likely to be rain-affected which is sure to cause headaches for the teams – not least Lotus, which wants as much dry track time as possible in order to achieve maximum development of its Double DRS concept.

Race day should be the warmest of the weekend, with the average ambient temperature expected to be 21°C (70°F). With some forecasters predicting sunshine and others the opposite, the outcome could again rest in the hands of Mother Nature…

Flying Finn

I already have my "anti-rain dance" going on here!

multi21

Lotus Renault wants dry. Alonso wants the wet. My vote is for the junior teammate to get the first win over his WDC senior teammate.... Grojean over Kimi this weekend!

Flying Finn

If at least the quali is dry, Lotus boys have a chance although even with pole, if it rains on Sunday, I don't think they can win because their car is not fast on wet/cool and their strategy ain't up to par with big boys.

If, however it's dry (won't be hot but even cool dry is better than wet), they have a chance and I don't see Roman beating Kimi, not in Spa.

Serge944

Kimi is the only driver in contention for the title without a win. I think he'll take this one.

morganabowen

If it rains then I will go with Fernando, but if the weather is dry, it will be a fight between Hamilton and Vettel and the third place on the podium will belong to RoGro There is some head games going on between the F1 drivers as reflected in this article:


F1 : Rivals scoff at Alonso claims of not being favourite for 2012 Formula 1 title


Thursday, 30 August 2012 19:55


Alonso
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel on Thursday scoffed at Fernando Alonso's claim he is not the runaway favourite for the 2012 Formula One drivers' title.

With Ferrari's Alonso commanding a 40 point lead over his chasers with now less than half the season to go, the Spaniard insisted at Spa that his car is "clearly the slowest" compared to the Red Bull and McLaren.

"We have a points advantage, but a performance disadvantage, so I don't think we are any favourite," said Alonso.

McLaren's Hamilton smiled as he suggested his former team-mate is playing an obvious psychological game.

"He would say that, wouldn't he?" the Briton is quoted by the Express newspaper.

"He's just positioning himself in a nice way. I could say the same thing, that our car is definitely the slowest out of the top four teams."

Reigning back to back World Champion Sebastian Vettel also said Alonso is obviously the "favourite".

"He's not leading just because someone wrote a cheque and gave him his points. He deserves to be leading," said Red Bull's German.

"If you look at the races they (Ferrari) have been quick enough to be on the podium, win races sometimes, and that's what matters, to have consistently strong results."

Ritter v4.0

With or without rain the race is up for grabs with a few viable winners- which is nice.
If its dry I'd wager that KR would set the fastest lap, perhaps late in the race, but that he won't necessarily win. That said I'd like to see him win- he or RG.

Flying Finn

What's with all the tweeting by the drivers...?
What, they're all Kim Kardashian now?

At least I was happy to see my boy Kimi just sit in the car with the helmet on.
(no doubt they were anxious to go to the track and test their new wing system)

Flying Finn

OK, I apologize touting Kimi again but you just have to in this case...

Did anyone notice he went through Blancimont flat with his rear wing open?!
(that's a corner that requires downforce and if you go through it flap open, "large attachments" as Hobbs would say...)
Or did they all do it? I didn't pay enough attention.

Congrats to Button on the pole, glad to see him up there.

FGL28

+993

I bet it is a PR Sychophant tweeting.

My993C2

Congrats to Button and McLaren for their win. Definitely the drive of the weekend goes to Jenson.Vettel had a less than stellar Saturday qualifying session and some not so good luck at the start of the race. But he really salvaged his weekend with a good effort after the safety car with at least three gutsy passes leading into the bus stop. Pass of the weekend goes to Kimi with his ballsy pass entering Eau Rouge. Tough luck for those who were taken out of the race at the turn one race start incident and a real scare for Fernando. If Grosjean's car was a foot or so closer to the Spaniard's head we might be sitting here recounting a very sad day. But fortunately Alonso's bad luck was not as dark as it could have been. Without a doubt Grosjean did aggressively cut to the right heading into turn one, but I would chalk it all up as a "Racing Incident". Visibility in these cars is difficult and Hamilton could have lifted off, but he didn't. No doubt the Alonso and Hamilton fans are disappointed, but it could have been a whole lot worse. Oh and nice false start from Maldonado. LOL

Flying Finn

Yea, McLaren & Button with the new aero was on his own league, way ahead of everyone else. Congrats to Jenson and like you said, Seb & Kimi drive well, gotta love that pass in Schumi, as Hobbs said (again), large attachments were needed.

Just before the start, I asked my 10 year old to come and watch the start because often at Spa, something happens... It was even more that I thought it would, sucks for those invite but there was some luck too, good to see Alonso & others walk off without any injuries.

So glad Spa renewed their contract, it's just an awesome track.

Can't wait for Monza!

Nizer

Kimi's pass on Schumacher was worth the price of admission alone.

Larry Herman

Spa did not disappoint for drama or interesting racing. Too bad it's only once a year.

Bob Rouleau

Have the penalties been handed out yet? Maldonado for jumping the start, Schumacher for his dangerous and weird pit entrance, Weber exiting the pit box etc.