ROUND 14: 🇧🇪 Belgium
FORMULA 1 ROLEX BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2024
Circuit stats
- Circuit name: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
- First Grand Prix: 1950
- Number of laps: 44
- Circuit Length: 7.004 km
- Race Distance: 308.052 km
- Lap record: 1:46.286 Valtteri Bottas (2018)
- 2023 winner: Max Verstappen
Track Map
Russell in trouble, underweight
The shorter drs zone seemed to have shown much less overtakes this race. Not sure if I’m liking that or not.
It made Red Bull’s setup choices look decent to keep the McLaren behind and also nerfed tyre deltas quite a bit as evidenced by Russell vs. Hamilton (disqualification aside, HAM couldn’t pass RUS on track).
I understand what they were trying to do but it made it too hard to pass. Hopefully they get the balance right next year.
I don’t think anyone had George winning today’s race in their bingo card!
Perez, Leclerc, Norris all had mega fumbles. Don’t think it was enough for Perez to retain his seat. Let’s see what happens over the course of the summer break.
Well leclerc just didn’t not have a fast enough car under him. Norris had his strategy fumbled whole being a little slow. Perez also had a suboptimal strategy but he was too slow anyway.
Yeah true about Leclerc’s car being slower. Guess I got overexcited after seeing him start P1.
Norris definitely botched his opening lap T1. He himself mentioned it: https://mastodon.nl/@_formula1_/112865921523536889
Perez, absolutely 100% has to lose his seat if RB cares about winning. Not only did he somehow go backwards to P8 AGAIN on a day the car was clearly good enough for more, he managed to impede Verstappen indirectly for several laps, likely costing Max P4 at least.
The obvious choice is Riccy, he’s probably an improvement and he should be in the right mental state to be a clear #2.
I still wonder why they don’t give Tsunoda a shot at least though, he’s been good all year and purely on track, he deserves it. He must be struggling with professionalism off track still.
I also don’t understand why Lawson is under consideration for the other RB seat. Let him ease into it, no need to rush it, let him VCARB it rest of the year.
You’re right with Ricciardo’s mental state and how well he might suit a #2 driver role, even though I totally agree Tsunoda has been better on track all year and really should be in with a better chance. I just don’t think Tsunoda would be happy being #2, his blow-up on the radio earlier this year was rough 😬
Perez has to be out at this point. This race was a pretty clear indication that he’s just not good enough to compete with the top drivers.
I’ve got tickets for Hungary next year and if checo is still in the car by then I’m gonna lose it
Mercs on a streak. Norris’ time to shine is being outshone.
Perez starts on the front row, but finish seventh. RIP.
This is Russell’s win, but the team let him down.