{"id":15140,"date":"2023-07-27T10:00:28","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T14:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=15140"},"modified":"2023-07-27T09:06:58","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T13:06:58","slug":"f1-belgian-grand-prix-predictions-and-how-to-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2023\/07\/27\/f1-belgian-grand-prix-predictions-and-how-to-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"F1: Belgian Grand Prix Predictions and How To Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>F1 returns to the Belgian Grand Prix for another Sprint weekend. Can anyone stop Red Bull&#8217;s momentum ahead of the summer break?<\/h3>\n<p>Up next on the F1 calendar is the Belgian Grand Prix. Spa-Francorchamps will play host to the third sprint weekend of the season in the final race before F1 takes a month-long break for the summer.<\/p>\n<p>Heading into this weekend it will be difficult to look past Verstappen for the win as last week out in Hungary saw the reigning world champion take his ninth win of the season, creating an astounding 33.731-second gap to his closest competitor.<\/p>\n<p>Last weekend also showed that Ricciardo could rise to the occasion and beat his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, on his first outing in the Alpha Tauri.<\/p>\n<p>We also witnessed another shift in the order of the grid as both Alfa Romeos made it into the top 10 during qualifying, and Hamilton took pole by 0.003 seconds from Verstappen in what was probably the biggest shock of the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>Once Sunday rolled around, things quickly returned to normal. Verstappen took the lead into turn 1 and both Red Bulls made it onto the podium alongside Lando Norris, proving that the recent uptick in McLaren&#8217;s performance is here to stay.<\/p>\n<p>As we set our sights on the Belgian Grand Prix, we will have a slightly busier schedule due to the sprint weekend. To make sure that you don&#8217;t miss out on anything this weekend, take a look at the F1 guide below to keep up with all of the action.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Busy weekend coming up \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n<p>Make sure you don&#8217;t miss any of the action \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BelgianGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#BelgianGP<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#F1<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Q1KDqoi5od\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Q1KDqoi5od<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/F1\/status\/1683907468055973889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 25, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>The Circuit<\/h4>\n<p>The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is 7.004 km (4.35 miles) and is located in Stavelot, Belgium. The track made its Formula 1 debut in 1950 and is the longest circuit on the F1 calendar as it boasts a lap record of 1:46.286, which was set by Valtteri Bottas in 2018.<\/p>\n<p>The circuit offers up a mix of long straights and high-speed corners making this weekend one that you cannot miss, especially during qualifying as the drivers push the cars to the absolute limit.<\/p>\n<p>Spa is a fan favorite and is also one of F1&#8217;s most beloved circuits amongst the drivers, with Lewis Hamilton stating that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/latest\/article.thursdays-hot-topic-drivers-still-in-awe-of-spa-despite-mixed-emotions-on.3rpyZlCr4WLXMyfQvyhk3q.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">&#8220;There aren&#8217;t many like it.&#8221;<\/a> However, its future on the F1 calendar has been called into question in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>Although Spa signed a one-year extension in 2022, we have not received any further news to confirm that the circuit will remain on the calendar beyond 2023, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2022\/08\/27\/spa-past-present-future-belgian-grand-prix\/\" target=\"_self\">leaving the fate of the Belgian Grand Prix hanging in the balance<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>A Lap of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps<\/h4>\n<p>The drivers will complete 44 laps of the iconic track starting with a run down to the tight hairpin of Turn 1, the exit of this first corner is key as it&#8217;s followed by a straight that leads right into a few of F1&#8217;s most infamous and dangerous corners.<\/p>\n<p>The drivers climb up to Eau Rouge and Raidillon, going flat out before heading down into the first DRS zone along the back straight. Turns 5,6 and 7 mark the beginning of the second sector and prove to be a challenge for the drivers as they navigate the right-left-right combination.<\/p>\n<p>The descent then begins into the second hairpin of Turn 8 which is followed by a left-hander and then the fast and sweeping corners of Turns 9 and 10.<\/p>\n<p>Another swift sequence is thrown up with a right-left combination through Turns, 12 and 13, followed by the double right-handers of Turns 14 and 15. From here, the drivers will make their way along the straight in the final sector, speeding through Turns 17 and 18 before they slow down at the two final corners of the track.<\/p>\n<p>Turns 18 and 19 are a pair of tight uphill corners that lead the drivers onto the second DRS zone as they race back to the start\/finish line.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-15164\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/07\/M387108-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/07\/M387108-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/07\/M387108-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/07\/M387108-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/07\/M387108-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/07\/M387108.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4>Points Standings<\/h4>\n<p>Here&#8217;s where the teams and drivers stand ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix<\/p>\n<h4>Driver Standings<\/h4>\n<ol>\n<li>Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing \u2013 281 points<\/li>\n<li>Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing \u2013 171 points<\/li>\n<li>Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin \u2013 139 points<\/li>\n<li>Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes \u2013 133 points<\/li>\n<li>George Russell, Mercedes \u2013 90 points<\/li>\n<li>Carlos Sainz, Ferrari \u2013 87 points<\/li>\n<li>Charles Leclerc, Ferrari \u2013 80 points<\/li>\n<li>Lando Norris, McLaren \u2013 60 points<\/li>\n<li>Lance Stroll, Aston Martin \u2013 45 points<\/li>\n<li>Esteban Ocon, Alpine \u2013 31 points<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4>Constructor Standings<\/h4>\n<ol>\n<li>Red Bull Racing \u2013 452 points<\/li>\n<li>Mercedes \u2013 223 points<\/li>\n<li>Aston Martin \u2013 184 points<\/li>\n<li>Ferrari \u2013 167 points<\/li>\n<li>McLaren \u2013 87 points<\/li>\n<li>Alpine \u2013 47 points<\/li>\n<li>Williams \u2013 11 points<\/li>\n<li>Haas \u2013 11 points<\/li>\n<li>Alfa Romeo \u2013 9 points<\/li>\n<li>Alpha Tauri \u2013 2 points<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4>Predictions<\/h4>\n<p>Carlos Sainz inherited pole position at last year&#8217;s Belgian Grand Prix after Verstappen and Leclerc both took engine penalties which relegated them down to P15 and P16 on the starting grid. However, I can&#8217;t see anyone other than Verstappen taking the win at Spa this year.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/li>\n<li>Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing<\/li>\n<li>Lando Norris, McLaren<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>How To Watch \u2013 F1 Belgian Grand Prix (U.S. and U.K. times)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Practice 1:<\/strong> Friday, July 28 \u2013 7:30 a.m. ET \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/watch\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ESPN2<\/a>\u00a0(12:30\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/f1\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sky Sports F1<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Qualifying:<\/strong> Friday, July 28 \u2013 11:00 a.m. ET \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/watch\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ESPN2<\/a>\u00a0(16:00\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/f1\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sky Sports F1<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sprint Shootout:<\/strong> Saturday, July 29 \u2013 6:00 a.m. ET \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/watch\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ESPN2<\/a>\u00a0(11:00\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/f1\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sky Sports F1<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sprint Race:<\/strong> Saturday, July 29 \u2013 10:30 a.m. ET \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/watch\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ESPN<\/a>\u00a0(15:30\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/f1\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sky Sports F1<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Grand Prix Sunday (Pre-Show):<\/strong> Sunday, July 30 \u2013 7:30 a.m. ET \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/watch\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ESPN<\/a>\u00a0(12:30\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/f1\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sky Sports F1<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Austrian Grand Prix:<\/strong> Sunday, July 30 \u2013 9:00 a.m. ET \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/watch\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ESPN<\/a>\u00a0(14:00\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/f1\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sky Sports F1<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>F1 returns to the Belgian Grand Prix for another Sprint weekend. Can anyone stop Red Bull&#8217;s momentum ahead of the summer break? Up next on the F1 calendar is the Belgian Grand Prix. Spa-Francorchamps will play host to the third sprint weekend of the season in the final race before F1 takes a month-long break [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4748,"featured_media":15162,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,4],"tags":[74,1500,79,66,78,72],"class_list":["post-15140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-formula-1","tag-belgian-grand-prix","tag-circuit-spa-francorchamps","tag-max-verstappen","tag-mclaren","tag-red-bull-racing","tag-sergio-perez"],"modified_by":"Vincent van der Hoek","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15140","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4748"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15140"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15140\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15162"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15140"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15140"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15140"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}