Preview | Will Verstappen or Hamilton come out of the summer break on top?

Spa-Francorchamps

The circuit of Spa-Francorchamps was already used in 1925 for the first Grand Prix and is since 1985 the only Belgian circuit that is allowed to organise the Grand Prix in its own country. It is not surprising that this is a commonly used circuit because Spa is loved by the drivers. With many unique corners like Eau Rouge, Pouhon and Blanchimont the circuit in the Ardennes is a pearl on the calendar. Besides unique corners, this circuit combines it with long straights, which makes overtaking definitely possible.

Belgian Grand Prix

The first Belgian GP was held in 1925 and was won by Alberto Ascari. The race was not part of the official F1 championship at the time, as that championship would only be established in 1950. Also in that year, Belgium was on the calendar, and the Spa race was won by Juan Manuel Fangio.

Throughout the years Spa-Francorchamps has organised almost all editions of the Belgian GP. Sometimes there was a year in between, and the circuits of Zolder and Nivelles were used as replacements. Between 1975 and 1982 it was even Zolder that organised every Belgian GP. However, since 1985 Spa-Francorchamps has been the only circuit where an F1 race has been held in Belgium.

In terms of records, Ferrari is the record winner in Belgium. 18 times the Italians have won in the Ardennes. Four of these were won by Michael Schumacher who is the driver with the most wins. He stood on the highest step of the podium six times in total. Among the current drivers, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton won here the most often, namely four times.

GP of Belgium 2020

Last year's Grand Prix was not exactly a memorable GP of Belgium. Where the race usually provides spectacle, that was not the case in 2020. Lewis Hamilton took pole ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen, and in that order, the top three would also finish. There were no changes at the front despite a Safety Car.

Formula 1 in 2021

On that note, there is more hope for this season. Unlike 2020, in 2021 there is tension at the top. Hamilton and Verstappen are close to each other almost every Grand Prix, and that might cause some spectacle at Spa-Francorchamps. Here you can overtake, but that is not without risk. Will the two keep each other in one piece after the incident at Silverstone?

Weather forecast

According to Weather.com a high chance of rain is forecast. On Friday the chance of rain is 89 percent, on Saturday it will be 88 percent and on Sunday 76 percent. So it will decrease during the weekend, but showers are expected all weekend.

Besides the showers, the temperature is also low. For the whole weekend, a maximum of 16 degrees is expected. This of course means that rain will stay longer on the cold asphalt. Whether the rain will actually fall is always the question.

Prediction for the weekend

Everything depends on Verstappen's engine this weekend. If the Dutchman chooses to put a new Honda engine in his car this weekend then it will mainly be a matter of damage limitation, and Hamilton could be the expected winner. If Verstappen doesn't, we can expect a spectacle.

With rain forecast for the entire weekend, it could be a spectacular weekend in the Ardennes. If it rains it could be dry in another part of the circuit. We have seen in Imola what kind of scenes that can cause. Even a seven-time world champion is not always faultless.

In the rain it will be a clash of titans between Hamilton and Verstappen, as the advantages of a stronger engine will be lost. Verstappen may be in most need of a win after his poor race, and Hamilton doesn't always start strongly after a break. So this would seem to be the ideal time for Verstappen to strike.

Timetable Belgian Grand Prix 2021

Friday

First free practice: 10:30 - 11:30

Second free practice: 14:00 - 15:00

Saturday

Third free practice: 11:00 - 12:00

Qualification: 14:00 - 15:00

Sunday

Race: 14:00 - 16:00