Belgian Grand Prix: Editorial Presentation and Predictions
Here we are at the dawn of the seventh round of this 2020 season, which started late under the sign of COVID-19. We begin at Spa-Francorchamps with a third batch of three races in three weekends. This is a decisive first point for the championship: will Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton continue to increase their lead in the championships?
Traditionally, the Belgian Grand Prix takes place in the Belgian Ardennes, on the Spa-Francorchamps track. Besides the always very uncertain weather in this region, the track’s own technicality could disrupt the events and thus spice up the proceedings of this Belgian weekend.
On the calendar since the creation of the Formula 1 World Championship, the race has been held at Spa since 1985.
It is a spectacular seven-kilometer track. It owes its nickname, “toboggan of the Ardennes,” to its elevation changes, long straights, and technical and fast turns.
It will take 44 laps and covering 308 km to finish this Belgian Grand Prix.
The records of this track:
| Session | Driver | Time | Year | |
| 1 | Pole position | Charles Leclerc | 1’42″519 | 2019 |
| 2 | Fastest lap in race | Valtteri Bottas | 1’46″286 | 2018 |
The tires:
Pirelli arrives in Belgium with an intermediate range in terms of hardness. The hard tire will be the C2 compound (white), the medium tire will be the C3 compound (yellow), and the soft tire the C4 compound (red). These tires are one step softer than those brought to the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks ago. We can bet that the uncertainties on the track should also come from Pirelli’s products.
The editorial team’s predictions:
Over the last six editions of this race, we count five different winners.
Last year, it was Charles Leclerc who climbed to the top step of the podium, thanks to a unleashed Ferrari after the summer break.
No doubt it will be difficult for him to repeat this feat this year.
Poleman: Valtteri Bottas. In great form this year in the timed lap exercise, the Finn is neck and neck with his English teammate. The Mercedes drivers enjoy a perfect car and will surely be unmovable from the front row on Saturday afternoon, but in what order?
Winner: Impressive in his mastery and consistency, Lewis Hamilton is once again favored by the editorial team. Behind him, many opportunistic drivers are challenging his Finnish teammate. Thus, we see Max Verstappen succeeding in climbing to the second step of the podium (pushed by his many fans) and Sergio Perez taking the last spot on the podium thanks to the effectiveness of his driving and the power of his “pink Mercedes.”
