2013 Belgian Grand Prix Preview

After a long 4 week break, the Formula 1 world is buzzing with activity. From deciding races for next season to signing drivers for next year, the Summer Break saw it all. Now its back to what the drivers love doing, racing for the Championship. This weekend, it is time for the 11th out of the 19 race calendar and what better track to welcome the paddock back to the racing scene thanthe famous Circuit de Spa Francorchamps in Spa, Belgium. Let’s take a look at various talking points heading into the weekend.

Red Bull heading to fourth straight title?

Red Bull Racing entered the season looking to claim their 4th consecutive Drivers and Constructors Championship and now, 10 races down the line, Sebastian Vettel has a firm lead of 38 points and Red Bull have a lead of 69 points with 9 races remaining. This kind of a lead is amazing and with many teams shifting focus on next year’s car, it looks like Red Bull will once again come out on top.

However, Lotus, Mercedes and Ferrari are right up there and they will try to come back stronger than ever. Mercedes are their closest rivals and this will continue to be so until the end of the year. We will have to wait and watch if Vettel manages to clinch the title with ease or his rivals give him tough competition.

Vettel’s teammate for 2014

One big seat available for 2014 is alongside Vettel at the Championship winning team of Red Bull. With speculation doing the rounds ever since Webber announced his retirement from F1 to switch to WEC, Kimi Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo looked probable candidates. As per recent reports, Raikkonen’s manager has said that the talks with Red Bull were over sometime ago and Raikkonen will not race for the team. This leaves Ricciardo as their only option. Red Bull driver adviser Helmut Marko has said ” We won’t say anything before Spa- that’s all I can say”. All will be revealed this weekend at Spa.

Circuit Map

No explanation needed for the famous Spa Francorchamps circuit, one of the fastest and best circuits that fans and drivers love. It has the really fast downhill-uphill section, sweeping corners and also some slow turns. All in all, it is the best circuit to race on.

This 7 km circuit is one of the longest and has two proper straights. One is the Start/Finish Straight and the next is the Kemmel Straight. The two DRS zones this weekend will be on these two straights and will enable drivers to boost speeds and help in overtaking. Another overtaking point will be the Bus Stop chicane just before the pit entry. Eau Rouge will be a place to watch as always, the strongest of drivers will make a move on their rivals and it will be a treat to watch.

Sunday’s race will be run over 44 laps and the weather looks gloomy with rain expected during the weekend. Rain sure does increase the excitement at Spa and this weekend will be no different.

Last year’s pole sitter and race winner Jenson Button has ruled out a win this time. All the McLaren team need to do is to consistently improve and be on par at the beginning of next year.

Will Vettel extend his lead or will Mercedes and Lotus spring a surprise? Could this finally be Ferrari’s lucky weekend? We will have to wait and find out.