Belgian GP Spa 2016 - Predictions etc

Actually, 86° at Spa during the week-end seems slightly cool to me, as 100° (or 38° Celsius) is expected for Saturday in Paris? Rain is only expected for Monday over France, so it should probably be the same up North over Belgium and for once Spa should be dry...

Rgds

 

finally!!

That would be fabulous. I want to see a race.

 

LH may take a penalty here as well, toto has said.

I'd like to see nico win, max and ric take podium.

 

The red bull is faster in medium speed corners only. Not low or high speed. Doubt they will hAve the grunt to challenge

Lewis pole and win unless he takes a penalty then nico and Daniel over verstappen. Ferrari nowhere

 

At this stage, after three years of Mercedes utter domination, yes of course...but dry and warm it should be.

Rgds

 

AUGUST 24, 2016

Ferrari taking new engine to Spa?



Ferrari has a new engine specification in its luggage as the sport prepares to wake from its August slumber this weekend in Belgium.

The development follows a less than impressive mid-season period for the Italian team, having fallen off Mercedes' heels and even behind Red Bull as well.

So Speed Week cites Italian sources in reporting that a new version of Ferrari's 'power unit' has been packed for Spa-Francorchamps -- even though it may not actually be used until next week at Monza.

Correspondent Mathias Brunner says the new spec has cost Ferrari its last three development 'tokens' for 2016, but reliability concerns means it could be held back until the long straights of the team's home race next weekend.

Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene also thinks engine development is not Ferrari's priority in the race to re-pass Red Bull and chase down Mercedes.

"Our car has two main shortcomings: aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical grip," he told La Repubblica newspaper.

It means that while before the target was to win the title, Ferrari now risks falling behind Red Bull in the lucrative constructors' championship.

"We do not exaggerate the situation," Arrivabene insisted.

"In Budapest we were faster than them, so we can still overtake them. The gap will be contained already in Spa, where we hope to reverse the situation," he added.

Arrivabene also denied claims that Ferrari has actually already given up on 2016, having now turned its full focus to the new rules and car for next year.

"No," the Italian said, "Ferrari does not give up and under my management it never will.

"We are already looking ahead to next year's car and will not find ourselves unprepared for the new rules, but right now I'm interested in this season.

"We have to solve every problem, and as quickly as possible."

 

Qualifs:

Rosberg
Ricciardo
Verstappen

Race:
Rosberg
Hamilton
Ricciardo

 

Hope that's just PR speak or he should pack his bags yesterday. Not giving up on this season? Does he still believe they have ANY chance? What ****ing drugs is he on?

Focus ANY energy you have on 2017 or they'll be in the same boat they've been in since 2009.

 

Lewis,on a bit of a roll
Max,he can+will overtake here
Kimi,good record around Spa

Would actually like to see anyone except MB to win,but unlikely.

 

Agreed

 

Qualifying:
Nico
Kimi
Hamilton
Vettel

Race:
Kimi
Nico
Vettel
Ricciardo
Max verstappen
Hamilton

 

Penalty at both Spa and Monza, or Spa instead of Monza?

 

Not completely sure to be honest.

Either way, if he avoids first corner madness he should easily finish 4th or podium.

 

Love the enthusiasm for Ferrari but I highly, highly doubt it. Car more or less undeveloped since Spain and won't up well here...

 

Well, there is usually no Christmas in August, is it? I would love a Kimi win at Spa (a "classic scenario" if there is one) but I just can't believe in it...

Rgds

 

That'll be worth multiple christmasses to me! A Kimi win, in a Ferrari, at spa...

 

I would send you a crate of beer, or a bottle of wine, or a crate of vodka...

Rgds

 

Even more reason for Kimi to get on it then

 

AUGUST 25, 2016

Engine upgrades abound ahead of Spa



Ferrari is not the only team taking engine upgrades to this weekend's Belgian grand prix.

We reported earlier that while a new specification will be at the Spa-Francorchamps track, the Maranello team might not actually use it until Monza.

Nonetheless, the upgrade has cost Ferrari all of its remaining 3 upgrade tokens for 2016.

And now Germany's Auto Motor und Sport also reports that two of the three other engine manufactures in F1 - Mercedes and Honda - are also taking new power units to Spa.

That ties in with reports Lewis Hamilton could take a double engine change grid penalty ahead of the race, taking advantage of the latest Mercedes specification after running through his allocation of five units for the season.

Sauber is also taking a shorter nose for its Ferrari-powered car to Spa, while Honda has redeemed some of its remaining performance tokens with the FIA ahead of the weekend in Belgium.

"For our level and the size of our team, we should be with Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull," Honda chief Yusuke Hasegawa is quoted by Spain's El Confidencial. "We cannot lose to Force India, Toro Rosso and this type of private team."

 

Mercedes mit neuem Motor: Hamilton nimmt Strafe in Spa - AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT

I guess Merc strategist read my post from the other day...