Deep, in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium lies a hallowed seven kilometre piece of race track. Steeped in memories, dramatic overtakes, shocking results, title wins, horrific crashes and first time victories have all been witnessed at Spa-Francorchamps.
Albeit having many cosmetic changes over the years the circuit maintains its core characteristics with the ever breathtaking run through Eau Rouge, the sweeping bend of Pouhon and the flat out run out of Stavelot, through Blanchimont into the Bus Stop.
So in 2015 after only one race in six weeks; here are five things to can expect from one of the best race tracks in the world — the host of the 2015 Belgian Grand Prix.
1. McLaren-Honda Upgrades
Honda have made it public knowledge that they are preparing new engines for this circuit onwards. 50 horsepower is the figure we have been given by Honda. In terms of lap time gained from this, well over half a second should be found. This will help McLaren in the hunt for consistent points. Provided the engine holds out in terms of a reliability point of view as well if the chassis proves to be the ingenious design it’s proclaimed to be, this race could be a second coming for the Woking team who have been in such a slump in the early part of the season.
2. Spectacular Starts
Due to new regulations brought in earlier this season, new start procedures have to be adhered to here in Spa. Less information will be passed to the driver and less electronic aids are available. This will mean a more manual start for the drivers to get those cars off the line. No matter how much practice in the simulator and during the weekend itself will change the adrenaline rush at the start of the race and we could be in for a spectacular start. Let’s just hope it’s not like the start of the 2012 race.
3. Continuous Silly Season Banter
Persistent rumours of driver transfers always seem to dominate through the summer months and this season has been no exception. Valtteri Bottas’ move to Ferrari is the one rumour that fails to go away; Jenson Button to Williams seems to be another. One for the award of silly season’s best rumour has to be the recent whispers of the young Max Verstappen possibly moving to the Scuderia. Silly season certainly lives up to its name — I wonder what other rumours will appear in the coming weeks.
4. The Weather
With the circuit situated in the hills of the Ardennes, the area of develops its own micro-climate. Rain showers can often appear out of nowhere and catch teams and drivers unaware. Also, with the circuit being the longest on the calender it can often be raining at one end of the circuit and not the other. Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher fought out the 1995 Belgian Grand Prix in such conditions, giving the fans an epic battle.
5. The Title Fight Resumes
42 points separates the top three of Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel. Nine races left, all is to play for, but Mercedes have to be favourites. However, Ferrari can’t be discounted in their current form, despite not having the raw pace of Mercedes, they are clearly second best and will pick up the pieces if Mercedes falter. Need we forget the infamous collision of last year’s race. There are plenty more opportunities for more ups and downs in this title fight, that I can assure you.
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