Belgian Grand Prix Tag

Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg set the fastest time of opening practice for the Belgian Grand Prix with the German also becoming the first driver to set a timed lap in a session using the Halo device, which underwent more testing. As the session got underway at Spa-Francorchamps, four cars took to the circuit sporting the cockpit head protection device – Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz, Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo, Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg and Rosberg. All except Rosberg used the device for a single installation lap, but as times began toRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief McLaren will get a much needed boost as Honda has introduced a major power unit upgrade for this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. The intensely fast Spa-Franchorchamps circuit puts a premium demand on the power unit. With the summer break now over, Honda has brought the upgrade for both Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button. The Japanese supplier put an emphasis on combustion efficiency with the internal combustion engine (ICE). The power unit will also see improvements to both the turbo and compressor, something Honda looks to continueRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Esteban Ocon is set to make his Formula 1 debut in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Franchorchamps after being tabbed to replace Rio Haryanto at Manor for the remainder of the season. A winner of both the FIA European F3 championship (2014) and GP3 Series title (2015), Ocon has spent this year in a reserve role with Renault Sport F1 Team while also competing with Mercedes-AMG in DTM. “I’m thrilled that I’ll be making my Grand Prix debut with Manor Racing later this month, and atRead More

Lewis Hamilton backed up his pole position at Spa today with a controlled race win where he rarely looked threatened in his pursuit for victory. Behind him, chaos abound from the formation lap on. Nico Hulkenberg radioed in on the formation lap reporting a loss of power, the team told him to box, then changed their minds and instructed the German to take the start, but on the starting grid the Mercedes engine gave up the ghost and the field had to circle around a second time as the Hulk’sRead More

The FIA has decided to remove a new curb at Eau Rouge prior to qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. With the drivers capable of cutting part of the left-hander at Radillion – the top of the climb at Eau Rouge – a larger curb w installed at the apex. With a number of events in GP2 and GP3 that saw several cars getting airborne momentarily after making contact with the curb, the FIA decided following a driver’s meeting to remove it. The FIA will now monitor any advantage gainedRead More

Lewis Hamilton is a man on a mission. Fresh off F1’s summer break, and on the back of a sloppy round in Hungary, the championship leader set a blistering 1:49.197 lap at Spa today to claim a new track record and beat team mate Nico Rosberg by more than 4/10ths of a second. Despite Rosberg leading in FP1 and FP2, Hamilton took charge and led in FP3 and all three qualifying sessions from Belgium. He and Rosberg even lead in Q1 despite being the only runners on the harder compoundRead More

F1’s long summer break is finally coming to a close and the top tier of the sport is entering into its most wonderful part of the year, visiting Spa and then Monza. As the drivers, teams and media prepare for battle, let’s take a look back, 15 years ago to one of the greatest moves in F1 history, Mika Hakkinen on Michael Schumacher for victory. Ride along with the Flying Finn for one of his greatest moves. Enjoy.Read More

Kimi Raikkonen will remain with Ferrari for the 2016 Formula 1 season, the Maranello-based team announced Wednesday. Raikkonen, who won the 2007 F1 title with Ferrari, will pair with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel for the second consecutive year. The confirmation of the Finn’s return comes after months of speculation that another Finn, Williams driver Valtteri Bottas, was linked to the seat for 2016. With Ferrari picking up Raikkonen’s option, the Italian squad ensures some stability as they return a driver lineup in succession for the first time since theRead More