What looked like a run-away season for Red Bull at the start has turned out to be one of the most entertaining and competitive seasons of racing in a long time. As the F1 season heads into the summer break, we have one final race ahead of us as the grid moves to Spa for the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix.
Ahead of the final race before the summer break, here are some things to keep in mind.
Time to capitalise
For the first time since 2012 we have more than two drivers in the race for the Drivers’ Championship, with reigning World Champion Max Verstappen facing fierce competition from Lando Norris. Charles Leclerc has also kept himself in the mix.
While most predicted another whitewash season from Red Bull, it’s McLaren who have been the strongest team for the majority of the season, and although they have just two wins so far, their race pace is a threat to the other front-runners.
Norris has had two pole positions this season but has been unable to convert those into wins. Oscar Piastri, now in his second season, has quietly gone about his job and secured his maiden career win at the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend, having been instrumental in McLaren making the charge for the Constructors’ Championship.
Verstappen, meanwhile, is set to take an engine penalty in Belgium that will result in a 10-place grid penalty, giving the likes of McLaren and Ferrari a golden chance to catch up to him.
McLaren have had the fastest car on the grid in the last couple of races. Heading into the summer break, they would love to lock in another win to put more pressure on Red Bull. In Spa, they have a golden chance if Norris manages to capitalise on another golden opportunity.
Pole position prediction: Lando Norris
Race win prediction: McLaren / Ferrari
A lot to prove
With Sergio Pérez’ Red Bull future under scrutiny due poor performances, which have seen McLaren and Ferrari catch up with Red Bull in the Constructors’ Standings, the second Red Bull seat is up for debate once again, and there is one favourite on the grid who can lock in that seat.
VCARB’s Yuki Tsunoda has been putting in solid drives in a car that is far from ideal. The Japanese driver has kept his team in the fight for the fifth position in the Constructors’ Standings.
Tsunoda comes into the Belgian race on the back of two outstanding performances in Britain and Hungary. He has gotten the better of his much more experienced teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, on multiple weekends and will be looking to impress the Red Bull management once again.
Dark Horse: VCARB / Aston Martin
Falling apart
It wasn’t the ideal start to the season for Alpine with their new driver pairing as they took five races to score points, and still they have since managed a best-place finish of P9 in the first half of the season.
The French team lie eighth in the Constructors’ Standings and their car, the A524, is generally the second-slowest car on most weekends.
The synergy between the two Alpine drivers hasn’t been the best either, neither have Esteban Ocon and his side of the garage been on the best of terms. Alpine retired Pierre Gasly in Hungary, while Ocon finished P18.
Things don’t look bright for the team coming to Spa either. Expect them to round out the first half of the season with another difficult weekend.
Also read: Formula One Sponsors 2024
Belgian Grand Prix 2024 Race Details
Circuit: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Venue: Stavelot, Belgium
Practice Session 1 time: 17:00, July 26
Practice Session 2 time: 20:30, July 26
Qualifying time: 19:30, July 27
Main race time: 18:30, July 28
Where to watch: F1 TV Pro / FanCode
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