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Spa-Francorchamps // 27 - 29 August 2010

It's that time of the year again boys! The f1 circus is landing in one of the most classic and legendary tracks of all time: the ever beautiful Spa-Francorchamps.

Always one of the most promising grand prix's on the calender, Spa always has to live up to a big expectation. And it mostly does. Over the years, Spa was the host of some of the most breathtaking and epic races off all time. Whether it was in a good way or a bad way, it always brings us something.



Spa offers a truly exciting track, and holds some of the worlds most beautiful corners. Off course Eau Rouge is the most legendary corner of the track, and perhaps of the world. Seeing it on television already gives a nice of impression how steep it really is, but you have to see with your own eyes to actually realize how impressive this corner is.



As the track lays within the famous Ardenns, it's a constant mix of rapidly going up and down again, making it still one of the most physically demanding tracks on the calendar. Over the years, Spa hasn't changed a lot layout wise. The most striking change is off course the new busstop chicane





Spa has a lot of famous moments in racing history on it's resumé, not just in F1.
There was off course the huge pile up in the completely rained out 1998 race, where a total of 13 cars were destroyed in the incident, sill being the biggest pile up in the history of F1. The race itself still holds a great amount of controversy, the biggest one being the Schumacher/coulthard incident. Schumacher, comfortably leading at the time was about to lap David Coulthard, when Schumacher crashed into the rear of Coulthard, eliminating the both of them, but most importantly, ruining the chance for the german to score a lot of points in the WC, as Hakkinen was already out in the first corner of the restart. What followed was an almost fight between the two in the pit lane, with both crew members barely keeping them apart.





As one of the most legendary corners off all time, Eau Rouge still holds some of the most spectacular crashes in motorsport. After for more than 50 years, it's still a huge challenge in all disciplines of the sport. And when it goes wrong, it mostly goes horribly wrong.







Another corner drivers must have an infinte respect for is Blanchimont. This insanely fast left hand corner that takes them to the Bus Stop is one of the most fastest corners in the world. Nowadays, the gravel is replaced with a run off area, but that doesn't always keep the drivers safe. One of the more terrifying crashes in f1 over the last ten years occured at Blanchimont, when Luciano Burti went straight through after losing his front wing after a collision with Irvine. Everyone held their breath after Burti hitting the tire barrier and getting straight under. Fortunately Burti wasn't seriously injured, and made a full recovery.







Weather always plays a huge influence in the races at Spa. When it rains at Spa, it's guaranteed that we'll see a great spectacle. Just remember 1998. Or the race ten years later in 2008, where rain in the last 3 laps produced one of the greatest 3 laps of the season.



Weather predictions for Spa are very hard to predict. Spa has it's own micro climat, making it even on race day hard to predict if it's gonna rain or not.

TIMETABLE (F1 only)

Fri 27 August 2010
Practice 1 10:00 - 11:30
Practice 2 14:00 - 15:30

Sat 28 August 2010
Practice 3 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying 14:00

Sun 29 August 2010
Race 14:00

In the last 5 times the race was driven, Kimi Räikkönen won a staggering 4 of them. Don't count on him this year though, since the Finn is making his fortune in WRC this year. The record for all time wins at Spa is still under the name of one Michael Schumacher. In his career, he won a total of 6 races at Spa. Senna is second with 5.

Previous winners:

2009 Kimi Räikkönen
2008 Felipe Massa
2007 Kimi Räikkönen
2005 Kimi Räikkönen
2004 Kimi Räikkönen

This season is definitely a close season, with still 5 drivers contesting for the World Championship. Webber will head out to Spa as WC leader, with Hamilton and teammate Vettel close behind. 2009 World Champion Button is 4th, followed by Fernando Alonso in 5th.

Current driver standings:
01     Mark Webber     161
02    Lewis Hamilton    157
03    Sebastian Vettel    151
04    Jenson Button    147
05    Fernando Alonso    141
06    Felipe Massa    97
07    Nico Rosberg    94
08    Robert Kubica    89
09    Michael Schumacher    38
10    Adrian Sutil    35

Current constructor standings:
01     RBR-Renault     312
02    McLaren-Mercedes    304
03    Ferrari    238
04    Mercedes GP    132
05    Renault    106
06    Force India-Mercedes    47
07    Williams-Cosworth    40
08    BMW Sauber-Ferrari    23
09    STR-Ferrari    10
10    Lotus-Cosworth    0

One of the most important thing for most of you this weekend: the weather.
As said before, it's very hard to predict the weather in Spa. The race is still a week away, so nothing is certain yet. But for now the predictions are pointing out to a chilly and wet weekend. Most chances of rain for this moment are predicted on sunday, with temperatures as high as 17°. I'll keep this updated during the week. But people who are hoping for a wet weekend might get their wish.

10-day prediction

(I hope you like the openings post. I did spent some time for it )

no rain plz

rain plz

new bus stop sucks

is it possible to bring your own beer to the track?

I like the opening post , nice work . Hope it rains this weekend !

Finally Spa

Rubens Barrichello is celebrating his 300th GP this weekend, despite it being neither his 300th participation (which was Hungary) nor his 300th start (which will be in Japan).

Madness?

No.

This is Spa(rta).




I'm here all week.

_________________
Dan Wheldon ¦ 1978-2011
Marco Simoncelli ¦ 1987-2011
Jules Bianchi ¦ 1989-2015
Justin Wilson ¦ 1978-2015

Yeah, I know he's mad and I don't care. I do not care. I did not care then. I do not care now. I'm here to race him.

I just wonder if Pouhon can be taken flat out by the Red Bulls. Seems unlikely, but they did take both Campsa and Turn 8 in Istanbul flat in qualifying.

_________________
RaceDay.watch — Your Guide to Watching Motorsports

Easily.

_________________
Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

beer?

no because you have to strip down at the entrance

And they have rubber gloves

_________________
Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

What is it then, if it's neither his 300th participation or 300th start?

Probably the 300th time he's gonna moan about Schumi

_________________
Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

He has his own count. This all came to a head when he approached Patrese's mark - he didn't know when to celebrate his record-breaking start. So he went through and counted the races he considered starts - Spa 98 where he made the first start but not the second, and Spain and France 2002 where he made the grid but didn't start the race

Officially it's his 301st race presence (entry) but his 297th start. There are 3 DNS's and 1 DNQ (Imola 94)

Spa(rta), oh yeah!

I'm predicting a boring procession for this one. McLaren should be well ahead here due to the straight line speed advantage, so they'll not only have the fastest car but the best car when it comes to overtaking battles (attacking and defending). And if it rains, they'll be even further ahead because Red Bull are hopeless in the wet. So I'm backing Lewis

It depends how you count race starts but I think majority says it will be 298th start for Rubens. Spa 98 counted, Barcelona and Magny-Cours 2002 not.

But if it's wet, the formbook gets the cannon treatment.

If it's dry, I'm backing Webber. McLaren needs to get S2 cracked before they can think about challenging the Red Bulls in the other 2. Otherwise they'll start in 6th (well, Lewis will, Jenson will be out in Q2 again) and unlike Raikkonen they won't have KERS to jump everyone in front.

If it's wet (properly Spa wet, not some pathetic drizzle), Rubens will win. Either him or Sutil.

_________________
Dan Wheldon ¦ 1978-2011
Marco Simoncelli ¦ 1987-2011
Jules Bianchi ¦ 1989-2015
Justin Wilson ¦ 1978-2015

Yeah, I know he's mad and I don't care. I do not care. I did not care then. I do not care now. I'm here to race him.

it'll be a chaotic race and Michael Schumacher will be the race winner.

Everyone in the stands and around the track will be very happy and leave the track with a smile on their faces, even cheever.