2009 Belgian Grand Prix discussion

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 27 Aug 2009, 09:04

Thrusday Night here in Australia so Practice will be on around this time tomorrow. All I can predict here is that it will Rain on atleast 1 of the 3 days.

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 27 Aug 2009, 09:10

I'm expecting to see the Red Bulls back at the sharp end, followed by the McLarens. Brawn will be right behind, still discussing tyre temperature.

I also expect Kimi to put on a good show, with Badoer being everyone's comic relief.

Tealy · Post by **Tealy** » 27 Aug 2009, 09:17

I actually think (or is it hope) that Badoer will be much closer to the pace this weekend. I think the track will suit Red Bull much better than in Valencia which will help spice up the race for the Drivers title. Now arent we all glad the "winner takes it all" system was never put in place.

DonTirri · Post by **DonTirri** » 27 Aug 2009, 09:35

I'm gonna throw a curveball and say Kimi's gonna win.

He's been on a great form (by this seasons standards) lately and has always been exceptional in Spa, so don't be surprised if this "demotivated hasbeen" snatches the win

Tealy · Post by **Tealy** » 27 Aug 2009, 10:11

DonTirri wrote:I'm gonna throw a curveball and say Kimi's gonna win.

He's been on a great form (by this seasons standards) lately and has always been exceptional in Spa, so don't be surprised if this "demotivated hasbeen" snatches the win

That could well happen. For me Kimi has improved dramatically in the last few races. I wonder if it has been because of all the speculation between Alonso and Ferrari, or if he is just now learning how to get the most out of the package they have for this season. Either way he is looking strong and would be a good signing for almost any team next season if he stays in F1.

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 27 Aug 2009, 10:33

Or maybe Kimi's doing better because he isn't as completely unemotional as we think he is and after Massa got injured he's picked up his game to rally the team or something. Or maybe Ferrari have improved the car as much as McLaren have, but Kimi is driving horrifically, and Massa would have won in Hungary and Valencia. Unlikely though.

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 27 Aug 2009, 10:39

shinji wrote:Or maybe Kimi's doing better because he isn't as completely unemotional as we think he is and after Massa got injured he's picked up his game to rally the team or something. Or maybe Ferrari have improved the car as much as McLaren have, but Kimi is driving horrifically, and Massa would have won in Hungary and Valencia. Unlikely though.

Their car is definitely better now, it was clearly a dog at the beginning if the season. Maybe Raikkonen has raised his game indeed, but I reckon this is Ferrari coming to speed and having the 4th best car out there right now.

Many Blue Flags · Post by **Many Blue Flags** » 27 Aug 2009, 11:22

Also remember who really is a Spa specialist. I'm going to say Kimi if it's dry, but Sutil if it's wet. The Force India has been steadily improving as well as Adrian, and not only is he not half bad at Francorchamps (even in a Spyker he got 12th as far as I remember), he's quite the wet weather specialist. McLaren won't be anywhere thanks to the MP4/24's aero problems, but look for Red Bull, Fezza and Force India perhaps with Rosberg in the mix.

Mind you, we know what's happened before with Kimi and Adrian when fighting for position...

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 27 Aug 2009, 11:37

I think cars with KERS will have an edge because the circuit has a couple of long straighs. Still, perhaps the McLarens will struggle a bit because they had problems with the fast bends. Apart of that, I don't think things will change a lot, although it will be interesting to see if the Brawns or Red Bulls will be in contention for victory.

Irisado · Post by **Irisado** » 27 Aug 2009, 11:52

I will admit that if Raikkonen is to win a race this year, and I don't think he will, but if he is, this track is the one where he performs best, so he is most likely to do so here. If it rains he will crash out though, so all you Raikkonen fans had better hope it stays dry

.

I'm expecting Red Bull domination this weekend. The track and temperatures should favour their car relative to the Brawn. KERS may also give McLaren and Ferrari some useful performance over other teams too, so they should feature in the top ten shoot out again.

Brawn should make the top ten, but I think they could struggle to be in the first four if it stays very cool.

As for Luca Badoer, I think he will perform much better than he did in Valencia, so even if he doesn't keep the seat after this race, he will have redeemed himself sufficiently at least. A point in his fiftieth Grand Prix start would be very fitting in my opinion.

Finally, I hope that Spa induces some driver errors and mechanical failures (as it normally does) to mix up the order a bit. If we get rain, the order will be mixed up regardless, but if not, let's hope some of those engines start to get a bit tired by this stage of the season at this demanding track.

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 27 Aug 2009, 11:53

Kimi only crashes out in Belgium when he's battling with a guy who shouldn't be in front of him, while on a wet track with dry tyres.

Janmarcuus · Post by **Janmarcuus** » 27 Aug 2009, 16:15

I don't think Kimi will have the chance to win. Ferrari is stronger than before, but already stopped development, so the entire end of the season is going to be just about suffering: and speaking about aero package, Ferrari is not at the best level. Even McLaren isn't sure about its winning pace, because Red Bull will surely push hard to try and obtain a one-two victory, they need a win like it was air... Let's hope Button will finish out of the points(not impossible, Spa has such cold temperatures and he himself is in a very bad moment), while Webber dominates the race as he did at the Nurburgring.

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 27 Aug 2009, 16:58

My predictions are as such:

Rain.

Janmarcuus · Post by **Janmarcuus** » 27 Aug 2009, 17:01

Actually, according to meteo france, a wet GP is not likely. Saturday has the highest percentage of possible rain, sunday the lowest: temperatures should be around 20° and there will be a few clouds, with a bit of sun.

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 27 Aug 2009, 18:25

Yeah, but it's Spa.

Many Blue Flags · Post by **Many Blue Flags** » 28 Aug 2009, 09:50

1st Practice Results on a late wet track are in, TRU the only one on a 1:49. Maybe Toyota's good high-speed aero is playing into their hands? Also, Torro Rossos blitzing the Red Bulls: BUE and ALG are 4th and 5th. Vettel only does one lap to preserve engine

Valrys · Post by **Valrys** » 28 Aug 2009, 09:53

Many Blue Flags wrote:Maybe Toyota's good high-speed aero is playing into their hands?

No, only 10 people got a dry lap in, and they probably weren't exactly pushing as hard as possible - it's more likely to be luck of the draw as to when the rain started.

Good to see Fisichella setting the pace in the wet though, maybe a good chance for points if the race is rain hit

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 28 Aug 2009, 10:53

Anyone know what happened to Hamilton? Seems he only did the one lap and didn't set a time.

muttley · Post by **muttley** » 28 Aug 2009, 12:48

Captain Hammer wrote:Anyone know what happened to Hamilton? Seems he only did the one lap and didn't set a time.

He was doing donuts for the fans, until he realised that Belgians prefer waffles :roll:

Ferrim · Post by **Ferrim** » 28 Aug 2009, 14:30

It's a pity, but Badoer doesn't seem to be becoming Goodoer.

Henrique · Post by **Henrique** » 28 Aug 2009, 15:18

And I had my hopes up when I saw him at 10th on the first practice

Bleu · Post by **Bleu** » 28 Aug 2009, 16:09

Henrique wrote:And I had my hopes up when I saw him at 10th on the first practice

Ten drivers set a lap before the rain then.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 28 Aug 2009, 18:13

Vettel will win.
I wish Taku had replaced Badoer for this race. It would have been fun seeing him go all kamikaze on the KERS button, trying to overtake people round the outside of Eau Rouge :mrgreen:

Alianora La Canta · Post by **Alianora La Canta** » 28 Aug 2009, 19:40

Hamilton was thinking of coming out of the pits when it started raining. Since McLaren's programme was based on it staying dry, Lewis and the team agreed to call it a morning and start again after lunch.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 28 Aug 2009, 21:46

2nd practice complete and top 5 within 1 and a half tenths of each other
What's even more shocking is that Button, Barrichello and Rosberg are 17th, 18th and 19th respectivly... I think Brawn have handed Red Bull the win and the championship on a pretty big plate.

Henrique · Post by **Henrique** » 28 Aug 2009, 22:31

Brawn will find the right setup tomorrow.

watka · Post by **watka** » 28 Aug 2009, 22:37

Hamilton I think will have the pace regardless of whether its wet or dry. The Brawns look like they're really going to struggle and as someone mentioned above, Button could be out of the points.

TeamTipper · Post by **TeamTipper** » 28 Aug 2009, 23:41

Red Bull looks good on the spa circuit. mclaren said that their car is better set up on twisty tracks like monaco but fast flowing tracks like monza and spa won't suit them unless it rains which looks like it. brawn will be fast if it is hot and dry. Ferrari will need luca to do better but kimi could suprise. And if it rains Force India could shock with Adrian Suti (unless kimi hits him off when hes in the top 4)

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 28 Aug 2009, 23:50

Anybody else noticed Grosjean has bet Alonso and Alguersuari has beat Buemi? Right now, the only quasi-beginner out of the pace is a man in a really BAD situation.

jackanderton · Post by **jackanderton** » 29 Aug 2009, 10:02

Badoer not last in practice. (Nakajima for the record), or Webber if you factor in that he didn't even bother due to mechanical problems.

Looking forward to quali!

Valrys · Post by **Valrys** » 29 Aug 2009, 10:06

If Badoer had hooked together his personal fastest sectors, he's have been a tenth off of Kimi's lap, and if Both of them had hooked together their fastest sectors, he'd only have been 2-3 tenths off :shock:

Also, good pace from the Force Indias, and the BMWs...and Grosjean!

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 29 Aug 2009, 10:10

I see that Red Bull have, in practice at least, gone back to their more attractive pre-British Grand Prix slimline nosecone. Good! The newer one, still sported by the Toro Rossos, makes it looks as if someone has broken their noses...

Enrique Bernoldi · Post by **Enrique Bernoldi** » 29 Aug 2009, 12:23

Fissy fastest in Q1? What is this madness??

The Passenger · Post by **The Passenger** » 29 Aug 2009, 12:27

Enrique Bernoldi wrote:Fissy fastest in Q1? What is this madness??

Madness? THIS IS SPA!

I'll get my coat...

jackanderton · Post by **jackanderton** » 29 Aug 2009, 12:46

Fisichella to un-reject Force India this GP?

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 29 Aug 2009, 12:51

jackanderton wrote:Fisichella to un-reject Force India this GP?

Oh yes! And Sutil will be in 11th, so he might have a free hand at strategy.

Enrique Bernoldi · Post by **Enrique Bernoldi** » 29 Aug 2009, 12:55

jackanderton wrote:Fisichella to un-reject Force India this GP?

Hopefully, if Kimi's not nearby. Sutil's not in a bad position for points either, as he can put in whatever fuel he likes in 11th place. I think Kovaleinen held him up a bit in Q2, which is why he didn't make it into the top 10.

Whis · Post by **Whis** » 29 Aug 2009, 13:03

OH.

MY.

GOD.

unbelievable.

Enrique Bernoldi · Post by **Enrique Bernoldi** » 29 Aug 2009, 13:03

WHAT THE HELLY FISSY???? WHAT THE HELL???

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 29 Aug 2009, 13:04

Whis wrote:OH.

MY.

GOD.

unbelievable.

It is. And in dry weather, let's not forget. This isn't some rain induced surprise. He may be very light, but wouldn't you?