F1, Belgian Grand Prix: Race Predictions and things we learnt from Qualifying

The Belgian Grand Prix is off to a promising start if the exhilarating qualifying is anything to go by. The rain started pouring towards the end of the session and saw drivers dashing into the pits to switch to intermediate tyres.

The damp conditions produced a shuffled line-up for the Grand Prix and it is likely that we would get to witness loads of overtaking with most of the front runners starting below their normal positions.

Twenty four points separate the main title contenders, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, and with the two locking out the front row of the grid, the race is shaping up to be an exciting one. To top it off, both teams have announced engine upgrades for their drivers and it is to be seen who comes out of the scruff holding onto the top spot.

The drivers would be itching for lights to go out on Sunday after the almost month-long hiatus.

Here is a list of race predictions for the Belgian Grand Prix as well as things we learnt from qualifying:-

#5 Mellow weekend for Sauber

F1 Grand Prix of Belgium - Final Practice

Sauber have been continually showing what they are capable of achieving on track this year. Slotting in 13th and 14th after qualifying, Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson would be waiting for any gaps to take advantage of so that they can slip into the top ten by the end of the race.

To make matters interesting, the Sauber drivers would be lining up behind the two Toro Rosso cars, putting their rivalry for constructors’ rankings into play. Only ten points separate the two with the Italy based squad in the lead.

If the snippets of rumours are to be believed, Kimi Räikkönen is set to extend his contract with Ferrari, but Charles would continue to hover on the Scuderia’s radar. Adding to his tally of impressive performances would immensely help the Monegasque driver.

#4 Haas closes up to Renault

The Haas F1 team has shown tremendous improvement throughout the year, and with the rain spicing things up, Romain Grosjean stole the fifth place on the starting grid. To put things in perspective, he was ahead of Kimi Räikkönen and both Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. Kevin Magnussen managed a P9 to round off an encouraging performance for the United States based team.

Haas and Renault have been locked in the midfield battle for emerging the best of the rest behind the top three. Renault could be further hampered by a dismal outing by both their drivers who managed to secure only 15th and 16th place. Nico Hulkenberg would be moving further back from 15th to the back of the grid due to a new power unit.

While they might not be fighting on track, they would be doing so for points on the constructor’s rankings and if everything goes smoothly for Haas, they would be in a good position to close up to Renault.

#3 Ocon shows why he deserves a seat in F1

Racing Point Force India have had doubts about their future in Formula One and despite being tangled in legalities, the team’s performance would surely bring smiles to the faces back at the factory. The team has locked out the second row behind the two main championship contenders, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

The news floating about has put Esteban Ocon’s seat in Formula One under jeopardy and the French driver showed with his qualifying outing why he is known as an exciting, budding talent. He would have his sights on the first podium of his career and Spa has given him the best opportunity to score one.

#2 King of Spa to be content with P6

Kimi Räikkönen has been fantastic at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps over the years and while he showed promise during the early stages of qualifying, he wasn’t allowed to improve on his initial times. At the start of Q3, Kimi rushed to the pits to switch to intermediates, but he was later not left with fuel for more than one timed lap.

The Finnish driver had to be satisfied with 6th place and watch both Racing Point Force India racers and the Haas of Romain Grosjean surpass his Ferrari’s pace. However, given his liking to the circuit, it is impossible to put it past the double world champion to pull off an extraordinary performance come Sunday.

#1 Lewis Hamilton extends championship lead

Lewis Hamilton scored his sixth pole position of the year and even with Sebastian Vettel breathing down his neck in second place, the British driver would be assisted by the edge he gained over his rival.

Another factor in favour of the four time world champion remains that everyone besides Vettel would be busy making up positions at the start of the race. With both Red Bulls, Kimi Räikkönen and Valtteri Bottas starting behind their usual second and third row positions on the grid, Lewis would be free to open up a gap to the rest of their immediate competitors.

It is rare to see Hamilton commit a mistake on track and if strategy and pit stops line up according to plan for Mercedes, a winner’s trophy of the Belgian Grand Prix would be within grasp.

Edited by Sagnik Monga