F1 dwell Belgian Grand Prix: Oscar Piastri begins second behind Lando Norris, moist race forecast for Spa-Francorchamps

Essentially the most dramatic second of the season occurred off the monitor for the reason that British Grand Prix — Pink Bull parted methods with its crew principal, Christian Horner.

Horner grew to become crew principal in 2005, simply after the Austrian vitality drink firm bought Jaguar F1 on the finish of 2004.

Below Horner, Pink Bull gained eight drivers’ championships (4 every for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen) and 6 constructors’ championships.

To present Horner’s tenure some context, this weekend’s grand prix would be the first within the lifetime of Oliver Bearman (Haas, 19) and Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes, 18) the place Horner was not one of many crew principals.

Now, for the primary time in Pink Bull’s historical past, another person might be crew principal.

That man is Laurent Mekies, who has been round F1 since 2001.

He was the crew principal of Pink Bull’s junior crew, Racing Bulls, a task he started in 2024.

Previous to that, he was deputy crew principal and racing director of Ferrari.

Spa-Francorchamps is the longest monitor on the F1 calendar, measuring 7,004 metres.

The circuit is a favorite with followers and drivers, with lengthy, quick straights and tough corners making it thrilling from begin to end.

Turns 2–4 are probably the most well-known on the circuit, with the quick chicane of turns 2 and three — named Eau Rouge and Raidillon — then flying up the hill to show 4, which ends up in the lengthy straight.

Coming again down the hill is quick, with sweeping corners able to catch out the smallest mistake.

There are a number of overtaking alternatives for the drivers, with flip 5 on the finish of the straight, and the ultimate chicane normally the perfect spots.

Tyson. My pricey good friend, Tyson.

• Why do you come onto this weblog and remind me of one of many longest nights of my skilled profession?
• Why frighten me into considering this might occur once more?
• What did I do to deserve this?

For these newer to F1, the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix was sadly, a farce.

It wasn’t anybody’s fault — it simply rained, and rained, and rained.

After HOURS of nothing, the drivers have been despatched out for 2 laps behind the security automotive, simply to finish the race and hand out some factors.

The place you certified is the place you completed.

1. 1.Max Verstappen — Pink Bull
2. 2.George Russell — Williams
3. 3.Lewis Hamilton — Mercedes

Here’s a enjoyable reality I bear in mind from that night time. The quickest lap of the race belonged to Haas driver Nikita Mazepin.

G’day Bailey.

Thanks for becoming a member of me on the dwell weblog.

The race goes forward — by no means concern.

Rain is anticipated all through the afternoon on the historic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, so we may very well be in for a protracted night time.

Right here is when the race will start in every of Australia’s states and territories.

• AEST: 11pm: NSW, Vic, Qld, Tas, ACT
• ACST: 10:30pm: South Australia and Northern Territory
• AWST: 9pm: Western Australia.

G’day Phillip.

Thanks for becoming a member of me on the ABC Sport F1 dwell weblog.

Nice query.

The factors handed out on the finish of a grand prix are decided by how a lot of the race was accomplished.

Right here is the construction:

If the chief completes 75 per cent of the race distance, full factors are awarded.

1st: 25 — 2nd: 18 — third: 15 — 4th: 12 — fifth: 10 — sixth: 8 — seventh: 6 — eighth: 4 — ninth: 2 — tenth: 1

If the chief completes lower than 75 per cent, however greater than 50 per cent, the highest 10 drivers are awarded:

1st: 19— 2nd: 14 — third: 12 — 4th: 9 — fifth: 8 — sixth: 6 — seventh: 5 — eighth: 3 — ninth: 2 — tenth: 1

If the chief completes lower than 50 per cent, however greater than 25 per cent, the highest 9 drivers are awarded:

1st: 13— 2nd: 10 — third: 8 — 4th: 6 — fifth: 5 — sixth: 4 — seventh: 3 — eighth: 1 — ninth: 1

If the chief completes lower than 25 per cent, however greater than two laps, the highest 5 drivers are awarded:

1st: 6 — 2nd: 4 — third: 3 — 4th: 2 — fifth: 1

If fewer than two laps are accomplished, no factors are awarded.

Max Verstappen held off Oscar Piastri for 15 laps yesterday to win the dash race.

However grand prix qualifying was not as fruitful for the Dutchman.

 Not solely might he, like the remainder of the sector, not match the tempo of the McLarens, however the four-time world champions was pipped for third by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Talking after qualifying yesterday, Verstappen stated he anticipated a tricky race from fourth, particularly if there’s rain.

“I believe that might be powerful. First, if it’s moist, you may’t see something, so you may’t actually do something on lap one,” he stated.

“I hope that we are able to combat again to a podium, however usually within the moist circumstances, McLaren can be actually quick. They’ve that basically below management now with how the engine is working.

“So I’m not making any sort of phantasm, we simply should be reasonable, and we simply have to work on our stability initially.”

Oscar Piastri is the drivers’ championship chief, 9 factors forward of his McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

However it’s Norris who will begin on pole tonight.

Piastri began final night time’s dash race on pole, however Pink Bull driver Max Verstappen was in a position to make use of the tow down the lengthy straight to overhaul the Australian into flip 5.

Whereas doing an interview on an open-top truck, Piastri was wanting on the well-known Eau Rouge (flip 2), which is normally taken flat out.

“I am simply taking a look at Eau Rouge to see if I can maintain it flat, or not,” he says.

“If it is moist it provides one other huge problem, as a result of Eau Rouge turns into a [proper] nook.”

Verstappen proved second could be a nice beginning place yesterday, because the chief is punching a gap into the air which slows it down on the straight.

The Australian is hopeful of overtaking his teammate on the primary lap, however rain might hinder that.

“I believe we’re anticipating much more rain earlier than the race. If it was dry, second will not be a nasty place to start out.”

The drivers are out on a parade lap, waving to followers and lapping up their cheers and applause.

The primary individual to do media is pole sitter Lando Norris.

The Briton is 9 factors behind his teammate Oscar Piastri within the drivers’ championship.

Looking his third grand prix win in a row, the McLaren driver stated tonight’s race might be powerful, as rain continues to threaten.

“A pole is at all times a very good feeling, so I am comfortable, however right now’s a totally totally different day,” Norris says.

“Pleased with my place, it units me up in one of the simplest ways doable, however right now’s going to be a protracted day.”

McLaren’s Lando Norris pipped championship-leading teammate Oscar Piastri to pole place on the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday.

Piastri additionally completed second within the dash race, behind Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Compensate for Saturday’s motion by tapping the hyperlink beneath.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton didn’t have a very good qualifying session on Saturday.

The seven-time world champion had his quickest time in Q1 deleted, which means the Briton was knocked out early.

Ferrari has put in a brand new energy unit for Hamilton’s automotive and he’ll begin tonight’s grand prix from the pit line.

Right here is when the race will start in every of Australia’s states and territories.

• AEST: 11pm: NSW, Vic, Qld, Tas, ACT
• ACST: 10:30pm: South Australia and Northern Territory
• AWST: 9pm: Western Australia.

There was drama early at Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps.

The Components 3 characteristic race was referred to as off after two pink flags, as torrential rain hammered down.

The race began behind the security automotive, however a number of drivers spun off.

The race was pink flagged, and after a brief break, the race director despatched them again out to try to full the race.

One other stint behind the security automotive proved fruitless, as extra drivers spun off the circuit.

The pink flag got here out, and in the end, the race was referred to as off with no racing laps happening.

Excellent news is the Components 2 and Porsche Supercup races have been capable of go forward.

It’s anticipated we’re in for an F1 grand prix the place climate might be an element.

Good night, Australia.

Welcome again to ABC Sport’s dwell digital protection of the 2025 Components 1 world championship.

Tonight, Australian Oscar Piastri begins second on the grid for the Belgian Grand Prix, on the historic Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps.

Piastri holds a slender nine-point lead over teammate Lando Norris, who will begin tonight’s race on pole.

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