F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Spa Speed Trap: Who is the fastest of them all?

Spa-Francorchamps is the longest track on the F1 schedule and - along with Monza - is one of the sport's most power-hungry venues where top speeds reach their highest levels of the season.

But the Ardennes circuit's 7-kilometer layout isn't only about top velocity, as its blend of high-speed corners calls for the right compromise – and even more so in the rain – between straight-line speed and downforce levels.

In free practice on Friday, Mercedes' quest for the best possible balance, and the prospect of a wet weekend, led the team to mount a bigger rear wing on Lewis Hamilton's car.

But the end result were lap times that were similar to Valtteri Bottas' lower downforce set-up as anything lost on the straights was recouped with superior grip in the corners.

Spa's completely unpredictable nature means that determining the right aero compromise is a near impossible task given the weather factor.

However, based on Saturday's speed trap readings, topped by McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo and recorded on in the first part of Spa's Kemmel straight, Mercedes appear to be banking on a dry race, having opted for a lower downforce configuration, at least as far as Lewis Hamilton's set-up is concerned.

Poleman Max Verstappen was over 6 km/h slower than his title rival through the speed trap, which suggests that Red Bull are favouring – as has often been the case this season - a higher downforce approach to Sunday's race, an option that perhaps entails greater flexibility on a wet track.

But if its dry this afternoon, Max could be forced to take a back seat to the Hamilton freight train on the Kemmel straight.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

12 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

13 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

15 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

16 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

18 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

19 hours ago