2019 Belgium Grand Prix Free Practice & Qualifying Thread

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Mon Aug 26, 2019 4:13 pm

Source - Imgur

M44 · Post by **M44** » Mon Aug 26, 2019 6:26 pm

That seemed like the quickest summer break in memory.. maybe I'm just getting old! Looking forward to this.. will be interesting to see what upgrades people bring and what the status quo is going into the final races.

Todd · Post by **Todd** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 12:41 am

Looking at this chart, one might conclude that Gasly is still at RedBull.

Exediron · Post by **Exediron** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 2:14 am

Todd wrote:Looking at this chart, one might conclude that Gasly is still at RedBull.

He was, when Red Bull made their tyre selections. Those are made weeks or months in advance.

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 3:18 am

Exediron wrote:
Todd wrote:Looking at this chart, one might conclude that Gasly is still at RedBull.
He was, when Red Bull made their tyre selections. Those are made weeks or months in advance.

Months infact as recently I saw Abu Dhabi tyre selections. I believe Albon's tyre choice will shift with him to Red Bull too.

JN23 · Post by **JN23** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 11:18 am

Lando Norris enjoyed his holiday so much that he has injured his foot and it is in a protective boot. Fortunately nothing serious and it's just a precaution.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 11:49 am

M44 wrote:That seemed like the quickest summer break in memory.. maybe I'm just getting old! Looking forward to this.. will be interesting to see what upgrades people bring and what the status quo is going into the final races.

I think they shortened it by a week?

JN23 · Post by **JN23** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 12:12 pm

pokerman wrote:
M44 wrote:That seemed like the quickest summer break in memory.. maybe I'm just getting old! Looking forward to this.. will be interesting to see what upgrades people bring and what the status quo is going into the final races.
I think they shortened it by a week?

No four weeks between races this year, same as last year.

In 2008 the break was just three weeks (possibly the same for other years)

Todd · Post by **Todd** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 1:05 pm

Exediron wrote:
Todd wrote:Looking at this chart, one might conclude that Gasly is still at RedBull.
He was, when Red Bull made their tyre selections. Those are made weeks or months in advance.

I suppose that makes sense for the sake of Pirelli. Thanks for clearing it up for me.

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 4:27 pm

Last year's mega start which gave good attention to Force India. This was the 1st race after Stroll bought the team. pa usually is a favorable track for for FI/RP!

Tufty · Post by **Tufty** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 11:55 am

Pretty sure tyre selections stick with the car, not the driver, but I could be wrong. I can't remember what happened with the Kvyat/Verstappen swap.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 12:02 pm

JN23 wrote:
pokerman wrote:
M44 wrote:That seemed like the quickest summer break in memory.. maybe I'm just getting old! Looking forward to this.. will be interesting to see what upgrades people bring and what the status quo is going into the final races.
I think they shortened it by a week?
No four weeks between races this year, same as last year.

In 2008 the break was just three weeks (possibly the same for other years)

There's clearly only 3 weeks between Hungary and Spa.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 12:05 pm

Tufty wrote:Pretty sure tyre selections stick with the car, not the driver, but I could be wrong. I can't remember what happened with the Kvyat/Verstappen swap.

Yeah it sticks with the car same as engine rotations etc.

mikeyg123 · Post by **mikeyg123** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 12:13 pm

pokerman wrote:
JN23 wrote:
pokerman wrote:
M44 wrote:That seemed like the quickest summer break in memory.. maybe I'm just getting old! Looking forward to this.. will be interesting to see what upgrades people bring and what the status quo is going into the final races.
I think they shortened it by a week?
No four weeks between races this year, same as last year.

In 2008 the break was just three weeks (possibly the same for other years)
There's clearly only 3 weeks between Hungary and Spa.

Poker, there has been 4.

4th of August to 1st of September. 28 days. 4 weeks.

Covalent · Post by **Covalent** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 1:08 pm

pokerman wrote:
JN23 wrote:
pokerman wrote:
M44 wrote:That seemed like the quickest summer break in memory.. maybe I'm just getting old! Looking forward to this.. will be interesting to see what upgrades people bring and what the status quo is going into the final races.
I think they shortened it by a week?
No four weeks between races this year, same as last year.

In 2008 the break was just three weeks (possibly the same for other years)
There's clearly only 3 weeks between Hungary and Spa.

Yes, clearly

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 1:28 pm

mikeyg123 wrote:
pokerman wrote:
JN23 wrote:
pokerman wrote:
M44 wrote:That seemed like the quickest summer break in memory.. maybe I'm just getting old! Looking forward to this.. will be interesting to see what upgrades people bring and what the status quo is going into the final races.
I think they shortened it by a week?
No four weeks between races this year, same as last year.

In 2008 the break was just three weeks (possibly the same for other years)
There's clearly only 3 weeks between Hungary and Spa.
Poker, there has been 4.

4th of August to 1st of September. 28 days. 4 weeks.

Oops total maths fail.

Wow that's been a quick 4 weeks.

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:35 pm

Anyone knows what the weather will be like during the weekend?

JN23 · Post by **JN23** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:19 pm

painless · Post by **painless** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:35 pm

UnlikeUday wrote:Anyone knows what the weather will be like during the weekend?

NO!!
One year in particular went to Spa (the town) and could not sit in the sun at a cafe because of the heat. At the circuit next day it absolutely pee'd down. Of the times I've been to Spa it seems it has rained more often than not. Suffice it to say Spa weather mighty unpredictable

Asphalt_World · Post by **Asphalt_World** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 7:01 pm

UnlikeUday wrote:Anyone knows what the weather will be like during the weekend?

It will be like normal Ardenne weather. Totally random and unpredictable.

JN23 · Post by **JN23** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 6:20 am

Rumours that Marcus Ericsson will be back for Alfa Romeo this weekend.

JN23 · Post by **JN23** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 6:46 am

And the latest rumours suggest the above is incorrect.

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 7:36 am

Not officially confirmed. If any, today the news should come though of many rumours which were born during the silly season!

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 7:44 am

Here it's different. It's been assumed Raikkonen may not be able to take part in this weekend's grand prix due to some issue. If Ericsson will take part, he will be replacing Raikkonen & not Giovinazzi.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14561 ... lfa-at-spa

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 8:17 am

Honda will be introducing Spec-4 engine at the back of Albon & Kvyat. Due to this, both will receive grid penalties.

Covalent · Post by **Covalent** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 9:36 am

UnlikeUday wrote:Here it's different. It's been assumed Raikkonen may not be able to take part in this weekend's grand prix due to some issue. If Ericsson will take part, he will be replacing Raikkonen & not Giovinazzi.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14561 ... lfa-at-spa

Reminds me of the Lotus days... have Alfa Romeo not paid Kimi?

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 11:59 am

Mercedes & their customer teams will be running an upgraded engine at Spa.

wolfticket · Post by **wolfticket** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 12:54 pm

UnlikeUday wrote:Here it's different. It's been assumed Raikkonen may not be able to take part in this weekend's grand prix due to some issue. If Ericsson will take part, he will be replacing Raikkonen & not Giovinazzi.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14561 ... lfa-at-spa

Seems Raikkonen is expected to be okay to race, but Ericsson has been called up just in case:

As for how Kimi injured himself: Seems it was probably during some sporting activity, but definitely not drinking

:

Kimi wrote:"I always said sport is more dangerous – drinking is probably safer. Usually you don’t get injured, you just get a hangover"

F1 MERCENARY · Post by **F1 MERCENARY** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 2:03 pm

Kimi out!… Ericsson in!

I always felt Ericsson was solid but many felt he was only there because of his sponsorship money. Let's see if this doesn't shake things up in peoples' minds and helps him get back to F1.

https://racer.com/2019/08/28/ericsson-g ... -portland/

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 2:42 pm

F1 MERCENARY wrote:Kimi out!… Ericsson in!

I always felt Ericsson was solid but many felt he was only there because of his sponsorship money. Let's see if this doesn't shake things up in peoples' minds and helps him get back to F1.

https://racer.com/2019/08/28/ericsson-g ... -portland/

This has already been debunked. In the post immediately before yours.

Black_Flag_11 · Post by **Black_Flag_11** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 2:43 pm

F1 MERCENARY wrote:Kimi out!… Ericsson in!

I always felt Ericsson was solid but many felt he was only there because of his sponsorship money. Let's see if this doesn't shake things up in peoples' minds and helps him get back to F1.

https://racer.com/2019/08/28/ericsson-g ... -portland/

Not a sure thing as of yet unless I've missed something. Kimi thinks he will be able to race in the quotes I've seen and Ericsson is just there in case.

Sucks for him that he could end up missing IndyCar for nothing though.

F1 MERCENARY · Post by **F1 MERCENARY** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 3:28 pm

Herb wrote:
F1 MERCENARY wrote:Kimi out!… Ericsson in!

I always felt Ericsson was solid but many felt he was only there because of his sponsorship money. Let's see if this doesn't shake things up in peoples' minds and helps him get back to F1.

https://racer.com/2019/08/28/ericsson-g ... -portland/
This has already been debunked. In the post immediately before yours.

I saw that but I only posted this once a few other reputable journalists "confirmed" it via social media.
With these things you never know and wouldn't be surprised to learn Kimi will be driving, but I thought it was worth posting.
I find it rather curious that Ericsson was called up and flown in by the team.

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 3:51 pm

Racing Point's new nose. No more nostrils & new slots in the pylons.

Source - https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EDJgNasXkAA ... ame=medium

A new aerodynamic addition on the nose as well:

Source - https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EDJd9wbWkAI ... ame=medium

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14563 ... car-design

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 3:53 pm

F1 MERCENARY wrote:
Herb wrote:
F1 MERCENARY wrote:Kimi out!… Ericsson in!

I always felt Ericsson was solid but many felt he was only there because of his sponsorship money. Let's see if this doesn't shake things up in peoples' minds and helps him get back to F1.

https://racer.com/2019/08/28/ericsson-g ... -portland/
This has already been debunked. In the post immediately before yours.
I saw that but I only posted this once a few other reputable journalists "confirmed" it via social media.
With these things you never know and wouldn't be surprised to learn Kimi will be driving, but I thought it was worth posting.
I find it rather curious that Ericsson was called up and flown in by the team.

Ericsson is the reserve driver.

F1 MERCENARY · Post by **F1 MERCENARY** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 6:22 pm

Yes, I'm perfectly aware. But hes got a deal to race elsewhere so to fly him out should serve to show how serious they are about having Kimi sit this one out.

Exediron · Post by **Exediron** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 7:35 pm

UnlikeUday wrote:Racing Point's new nose. No more nostrils & new slots in the pylons.

Source - https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EDJgNasXkAA ... ame=medium

Did they spraypaint a 2018 McLaren nose pink, or does it just look identical?

F1 MERCENARY · Post by **F1 MERCENARY** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 7:45 pm

I think you mean 2016-2017, but no, not at all.

They share similarities, but it is considerably different. Theirs looks neat and tidy whereas the McLaren nose looked a bit unkept and sloppy.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/tech ... 3/3054140/

As for the added winglets… Oh no, the UGLY tidbits that were banned somehow ONCE AGAIN creep right back in and the FIA allow it!
What's the point of changing the regs so drastically in order to do away with all that crazy ugly stuff, enforce it strictly for one year and then lazily allow it all to make its way back. In 2009 the wings were supposed to be simple with a maximum area and maximum width and then towards the end of that season the wings began to change ever so slightly and then in 2010 the wings were back to dawning a few little intricate additions, then each year after that the wings featured no less than 147, 682 elements and were once again the opposite of simple and a complete departure from what the regs mandated when the 2009 rules were implemented.

Clarky · Post by **Clarky** » Fri Aug 30, 2019 9:23 am

Hamilton lost power temporary, back in the pits.

Clarky · Post by **Clarky** » Fri Aug 30, 2019 9:25 am

IMO:

Qualifying: Expect Ferrari to be on pole with the power advantage
Race: Expect is to the closer as the power advantage is not the same.

da4an1qu1 · Post by **da4an1qu1** » Fri Aug 30, 2019 9:36 am

Listening to the Sky coverage for FP1. I don't know who the Scottish man that is with Croft, but he mentioned that Honda had set a target of gaining more points than Renault did with Red Bull, to decide their future participation.

I started a thread railing against Red Bull being over reliant on their drivers program, and how basically their decision to go with Gasly had cost them the win in Hungary. This just compounds the mistake... imagine losing Honda because they were not ambitious with their second driver.

And IMO, they are still making it. I don't mind Albon, but Red Bull had the strongest driver lineup... replace Ricciardo with someone experienced. Even if you have to pay out a contract. I don't know... though he hasn't been great, even Grosjean might have been worth a gamble. Gamble on experience this time!