KartCMP1: Belgian Grand Prix Pre-Race Notes

Summer break ends as Formula 1 kicks into high gear with the first race of a triple-header this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps kicking off the second phase of the tightly contested season.

• Date: 27 - 29 August 2021
• Circuit Length: 7.004km
• Race Distance: 308.052km
• Number of laps: 44
• Official Lap Record: 1:46.286 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 2018
• Turns: 19 (10 left, 9 right)
• DRS Zones: 2
• Tyre Compounds: C2-Hard | C3-Medium | C4-Soft [Mid-Range]

• Low ambient temperature and showers. An interesting weekend ahead in Belgium.
• IndyCar journalist Robin Miller dies at age 71.
• Alpine Confirm Fernando Alonso for 2022.
• Richard Cregan appointed as CEO of the Miami Grand Prix
• A “Covid Safe Ticket” mandatory for the Belgian GP attendance (not required for children under 12 years old). Travelers outside of the EU, Switzerland, and the UK to be analyzed on their individual situation.
• Toyota claims fourth consecutive victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
• Mercedes join Audi and BMW in Formula E exit.
• Ricciardo starting his 200^th GP this weekend in Belgium
• Japanese GP cancelled joining Canada, Australia and Singapore.
• Rumors swirling of Qatar’s Losail Circuit joining this years’ F1 calendar.
• Ex-F1 driver Alexander Albon claims maiden win in DTM.

• Valtteri Bottas [Mercedes] “Lewis has told me that he wants me to remain his teammate. We get on well. The fact is that drivers have little influence on it. Another, larger party will eventually make a decision.”
• Toto Wolff [Mercedes] “We have to choose between the stability of Valtteri and the talent of George, where the future lies. I want the topic settled in September so both of them can position themselves properly for the coming season.”
• Max Verstappen [Red Bull] "It was nice to have a few weeks off to rest a bit and of course it was cool to spend some time on the jet skis, it's really nice to be on the water! It's a lot of races in a row but it's the same for everyone and there are a lot of nice tracks coming up to look forward to."
• Lewis Hamilton [Mercedes] “I am devastated by what is happening in the world. I’ve been away from my phone and the world in general for a few days to regenerate, I’m really upset.”
• [Honda] “The 2021 season is now heading for an exciting climax and we will be giving our all, fighting hard all the way to achieve our goal of winning the championships as this Honda Formula 1 project comes to an end and we hope our fans will continue to support us.”

• Mark Webber Shoey | 2016
• Nico Rosberg v. Lewis Hamilton | 2014
• Mark Webber forces Fernando Alonso to yield at Eau Rouge | 2012
• Romain Grosjean gets a one-race ban | 2012
• Lewis Hamilton v. Kamui Kobayashi 2011
• Giancarlo Fisichella earns Force India’s one and only pole position and best finish of second position | 2009
• “Gaining an advantage” | 2008
• Michael Schumacher dumped by Takumo Sato | 2005
• Jenson Button’s massive right rear Michelin tyre failure at the end of the Kemmel Straight | 2004
• Martin Brundle - “This Bizarre thing going on at the front of the grid, Ralf Schumacher is still up on jacks” | 2001
• Mika Hakkinen supreme pass on Michael Schumacher | 2000
• BAR’s $6 million dollar all-nighter | 1999
• Biggest crash in F1 history | 1998
• Damon Hill leads a Jordon one-two home in the wet | 1998
• Ayrton Senna v. Gerhard Berger Birthday Shenanigans | 1993
• Ayrton Senna saves Erik Comas | 1992
• Michael Schumacher joins the F1 grid | 1991

• Garry Connolley | Chairman of Australian institute of motor sport safety
• Felix Holter | FIA international stewards panel member
• Derek Warwick | Former F1 Driver, Vice-President of the FIA drivers’ commission
• Yves Bacquelaine | Permanent international WEC steward

1. Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:24:08.761
2. Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | +8.448
3. Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda | +15.455
4. Daniel Ricciardo | Renault | +18.877
5. Esteban Ocon | Renault | +40.650
6. Alexander Albon | Red Bull Racing Honda | +42.712
7. Lando Norris | McLaren Renault | +43.774
8. Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri Honda | +47.371
9. Lance Stroll | Racing Point Mercedes | +52.603
10. Sergio Perez | Racing Point Mercedes | +53.179
11. Daniil Kvyat | AlphaTauri Honda | +70.200
12. Kimi Raikkonen | Alfa Romeo Ferrari | +71.504
13. Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | +72.894
14. Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +74.920
15. Romain Grosjean | Haas Ferrari | +76.793
16. Nicholas Latifi | Williams Mercedes | +77.795
17. Kevin Magnussen | Haas Ferrari | +85.540
18. Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo Ferrari | DNF
19. George Russell | Williams Mercedes | DNF
20. Carlos Sainz | McLaren Renault | DNF

• 2020 Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes
• 2019 Charles Leclerc | Ferrari
• 2018 Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari
• 2017 Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes
• 2016 Nico Rosberg | Mercedes

1. Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 2:04:43.199
2. Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +2.736
3. Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +15.018
4. Fernanado Alonso | Alpine | +15.651
5. Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri Honda | +63.614

• Fernando Alonso

• Mercedes

• Valtteri Bottas
• Lewis Hamilton
• Lance Stroll

• Esteban Ocon
• Fernando Alonso
• Carlos Sainz

1. 195 | Lewis Hamilton
2. 187 | Max Verstappen | -8
3. 113 | Lando Norris | -82
4. 108 | Valtteri Bottas | -87
5. 104 | Sergio Perez | -91
6. 83 | Carlos Sainz | -112
7. 80 | Charles Leclerc | -115
8. 50 | Pierre Gasly | -145
9. 50 | Daniel Ricciardo | -145
10. 39 | Esteban Ocon | -156
11. 38 | Fernando Alonso | -157
12. 30 | Sebastian Vettel | -165
13. 18 | Yuki Tsunoda | -177
14. 18 | Lance Stroll | -177
15. 6 | Nicholas Latifi | -189
16. 4 | George Russell | -191
17. 2 | Kimi Raikkonen | -193
18. 1 | Antonio Giovinazzi | -195
19. 0 | Mick Schumacher | -195
20. 0 | Nikita Mazepin | -195

1. 303 | Mercedes
2. 291 | Red Bull Honda | -12
3. 163 | Ferrari | -140
4. 163 | McLaren Mercedes | -140
5. 77 | Alpine | -226
6. 68 | AlphaTauri Honda | -235
7. 48 | Aston Martin Mercedes | -255
8. 10 | Williams Mercedes | -293
9. 3 | Alfa Romeo Ferrari | -300
10. 0 | Haas Ferrari | -303