[Official] Belgian Grand Prix 2021: Grand Prix Weekend Thread - Round 12 of 22

[rustyfan]

Originally Posted by tux

That W Series crash was CRAZY, we have seen similar in the past when cars hit rain unexpectedly but never like that at Eau Rouge/Raidillon. No doubt we will now see the run off extended or the corner changed because we cant continue like this, its just a matter of time before the luck runs out again.

Not that it would've made much difference in this particular crash, but I still don't understand why they still haven't switched out the tire barriers with SAFER barriers in that area. It would at least lessen the risk of cars bouncing off the barriers and back onto the racing surface (like we saw during the massive Spa 24-hours wreck).

[bathurst77]

The visor cam in Alonsos lid was awesome. Really gave an amazing insight into how busy the driver is! Steering and braking is a minor part of the lap. The amount of stuff going on with the instrument screen and constant adjustments is staggering.

If you didnt see it look for it on The U-Tubes

[S griffin]

I haven't seen the visor cam shots yet, but sounds like it's really doing it's job of giving a spectacular in car shot

[tux]

This is going to be a fun day with all these delays....

Amazed they are starting this first F3 race, conditions dont look great, drivers moaning on the radio about conditions.

[Sodemo]

I thought I read earlier in the year that they were going to bring back gravel in a few locations at Spa? I don’t see any extra gravel?

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I thought I read earlier in the year that they were going to bring back gravel in a few locations at Spa? I don’t see any extra gravel?

I think it might be next year, when the bikes return there

[bjohnsonsmith]

Everyone's on the wets apart from Williams, who are on the inters and Latifi goes off.

[chillibowl]

Who is gonna get caught out by waiting for the track to dry?

The compromises at this track in this kind of weather is what its all about.

Have a buddy who is a new fan/drive to survive fan texting me telling me how boring this is.

They will learn!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Russel is fastest, so it looks like inters are the tyre to be on, and they all pit.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Ferrari fail to make Q3.

[thetool]

Yet another example of why the wet tyre isn't needed. Any conditions where it would be optimal are deemed too dangerous and the sessions not run. Would save some money just not making the wet compound.

[bjohnsonsmith]

It's chucking it down.

Edit:
That was a massive off for Norris at Eau Rouge and that's wrecked the car. Red Flag

[fieldodreams79]

Big shunt for Norris.

edit - he's out and seems okay but it looks like it could have been MUCH worse

[chillibowl]

Damn he was doing so well.

sounds ok though fortunately.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by BTCC frog

I agree. A very nice video.

Agree also! Stunning 'campus!'

[gert]

Hey Race Control! How about a bit of communication??

[broadrun96]

What was Russell driving? They find extra hp or tires for one screamer?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Russel so nearly did it but he still starts on the front row ahead of Hamilton. Verstappen on pole. Got to feel sorry for Norris.

[chillibowl]

Well that was an eventful quali!

[BTCC frog]

What an incredible lap from George Russell. Surely the biggest qualifying upset since Giancarlo Fisichella's pole here in 2009, even eclipsing Hulkenberg in Interlagos 2010.

[broadrun96]

First time in a while I was hoping for Max to slip a bit, Russell threw down a flyer and hopefully he can keep it going tomorrow and rain/wet stays. Feels like they threw lots of df at the car so dry and he'll be driven past quick

[djinvicta]

I reckon George has just cemented a Mercedes team deal! Brilliant wet driving from him.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by djinvicta

I reckon George has just cemented a Mercedes team deal! Brilliant wet driving from him.

Or reminded Hamilton why Bottas should remain his team mate!

But seriously, these young guns need to be in top seats soon. Russell and Norris are fantastic.

[gert]

Originally Posted by BTCC frog

What an incredible lap from George Russell ... even eclipsing Hulkenberg in Interlagos 2010.

Surely not ?

[BTCC frog]

Originally Posted by gert

Surely not ?

For me, Giancarlo Fisichella’s pole definitely was the biggest upset as Force India had zero points before that point in both 2009 and the season before, were bottom in the championship, and it was a dry qualifying session. Also, he converted it into second in the race; we will wait and see what Russell does tomorrow. George Russell today and Nico Hulkenberg in 2010 are at a very similar level, but Williams has overall been ninth quickest this season and they are eighth in the points, whereas it was sixth in the points in 2010 and sixth/seventh quickest car. I would say Nico Hulkenberg’s lap was more impressive (probably the most impressive qualifying lap I have ever seen in Formula 1) as he took pole by an entire second and, as you say, Barrichello is a much quicker in the wet than Latifi. But in terms of the biggest upset, Russell’s lap just edges it. Stroll’s lap wasn’t on the same level because the Racing Point was the third quickest car last season. Another potential candidate could be Pastor Maldonado in Spain 2012, particularly as he won the race, but I believe that the Williams that year was actually a lot faster than the eighth in the points suggests, and the driver lineup let them down massively.