Spa-Francorchamps Tag

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Current McLaren-Honda driver and two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso is debating leaving the sport once his contract expires next season if the 2017 regulations fail to bring back enjoyment into grand prix racing. “I think in the last couple of years especially with this turbo engine era I think the car is a little different to drive,” said Alonso, in Thursday’s press conference at Spa-Francorchamps. “I don’t say that’s better or worse, everyone will have his opinion, I’ve been lucky enough to drive 2003Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Fernando Alonso will have to start from the back of the grid for this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix after requiring an engine change following first practice. The Spaniard suffered a water leak in the ERS in FP1 in the wake of Honda spent seven tokens for a major power unit upgrade that debuted at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The Mclaren-Honda F1 Team confirmed that the two-time Formula 1 world champion will need new ICE, MGU-H, MGU-K, turbo, energy store and control electronics. With it being Alonso’s sixthRead 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

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

The #26 G-Drive Racing Ligier JS P2-Nissan went quickest in qualifying at Spa Francorchamps, with Sam Bird and Julien Canal setting a best average of 2:07.761, giving them pole position, just in front of the #47 KCMG Oreca 05-Nissan. . As per the regulations, the grid for the main race is set by taking the average from the best lap times of both designated drivers, and which must include one silver or bronze driver in LM P2. This pole adds to the impressive score the Ligier JS P2 has already set sinceRead More

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing endured a difficult start to the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps weekend due to a heavy accident for the #1 car in terrible conditions.Opening practice for the second round of the World Endurance Championship took place in continuous rain which contributed to an accident for Kazuki Nakajima, who hit the back of a slow-moving Audi #8 on the fast Kemmel Straight. The impact damaged the monocoque but more significantly caused injury to Kazuki. After complaining of back pain immediately after the incident, he was assessed at the circuitRead More