Copy of
Planet-F1's GP preview newsletter for the Belgian Grand Prix.
Welcome to the Belgian GP Preview from Planet F1 - the ultimate Formula One
resource at
http://www.planet-f1.com
Belgian GP Preview
So the championships have been won and second place is up for grabs. David
Coulthard has already told us that he's not interested in second place - oops,
'yes I am, of course I am. It's very important for the team and I shall be
trying my hardest to win.' Rubens and Ralf will be happy to relieve him of it if
he's not that interested.
What is apparent is that we're back on the quick circuits again, after the brief
sojourn to the pedestrian Hungary. These are the ones that the drivers like, but
the ones that can bite too. Get things wrong and you know about it.
Well-balanced, well-sorted cars are imperative. Power is obviously important,
aerodynamics too. And all the time, teams have an eye on next year, working on
bits and pieces in an attempt to make up for the November- December testing ban
History
We're also into an area of serious history too. Spa is a circuit that has a rich
heritage in racing. Look through Spa's history - from the first motorcycle Grand
Prix in 1921 and the first Grand Prix car race in 1925 - and you come across a
wealth of motor racing history. As early as 1939, it gained notoriety when the
brilliant British driver Dick Seaman crashed his Mercedes Benz at the right
hander before La Source and perished in the flames.
When it was first used, it was actually quite a short circuit in comparison to
other Grand Prix venues. These days, of course, the reverse is true.
It has made news in many ways. It is the third most used Grand Prix venue after
Monza and Monaco. It is currently the longest circuit used at 6.940 kms/4.312
miles but even in the early days, it ran the third longest races at
508.320kms/315.855 miles. And it boasts the second highest ever average speed
for a Grand Prix behind Italy; Pedro Rodriguez won - by 1.1s - in 1970 at an
average speed of 241.308 kph/149.942 mph.
But there haven't been that many Belgian Grand Prix drivers - just 19 and two
who failed to qualify for a race at all. Of those 19 drivers, just two have won
Grands Prix. Between them, Jacky Ickx and Thierry Boutsen won 11 races. Many
others were better known - like Jacky perhaps - as sports car racers: Paul
Frere, Olivier Gendebien, Willy Mairesse, even Eric van der Poele.
This will be the 48th Grand Prix in that country, with a fascinating fact about
almost every one. Of course, the Belgian Grand Prix has been spread around four
quite different circuits, starting with the original, marvellous Spa which took
in visits to Burnenville, Masta and Stavelot from 1956 through to 1970.
Varying weather conditions on different sides of the long circuit were
highlighted in 1966 when there was a cloudburst on the Masta straight
eliminating much of the field, including Jackie Stewart who was trapped in his
wrecked car, leaking fuel. He was thankfully rescued by fellow competitors
Graham Hill and Bob Bondurant, but from that moment onwards, Stewart embarked on
a crusade to improve safety in Grand Prix racing.
But the Grand Prix left Spa in 1971, paying brief visits to both the boring and
flat Nivelles and Zolder. But the shortening of Spa meant that the Grand Prix
returned there in the early eighties, since when it has been a regular stop on
the Grand Prix trail, to the delight of many. Actually, those of you with good
memories will remember that we actually went back to Spa twice in 1985; the
track surface broke up the first time and on the Saturday, June 1, the race was
called off. Instead we went back for another go in September, this time
successful.
Where Spa did so well was to the preserve the character of the original circuit
which disappeared over the hill at Les Combes and headed for Burnenville,
Malmedy, the Masta kink on that long long back straight, to the long right
hander at Stavelot (it was almost flat out all the way from Les Combes) and back
through the trees to join the current circuit at the current Stavelot. Now there
are the challenges of the double apex Pouhon, for instance, and the downhill
righthander of Rivage.
On both the past and present circuits, there have been many memorable races.
There are stories such as that of Ricardo Rodriguez, who was the youngest
points winner ever when he finished fourth in the 1962 event, being 20 years,
four months and three days old - but then along came Jenson Button and beat that
by two months when he finished seventh, elevated to sixth at last year's
Brazilian Grand Prix. And while we're talking about youngsters, Rubens
Barrichello became the youngest ever pole winner when he scored his first pole
in those changeable conditions in 1994. He was 22 years, three months and five
days old.
Ayrton Senna won five times in Belgium, on each occasion from pole position and
four of them in succession. Jim Clark won four times, all of them in succession,
including beating Bruce McLaren by more than a lap in 1963. Michael Schumacher
has won four times as well, his first ever victory in 1992, but he was also
disqualified from a win in 1994. The next three were in succession. Damon Hill
won three times, including the time that Michael Schumacher was disqualified; he
never lead that race at all. Fangio also won three times. Alain Prost set
fastest laps no less than six times at Spa - equal with Mansell's record at
Silverstone.
There are several other landmarks in the Belgian Grand Prix's history. It had
the second fewest starters in 1951 and 1955 at 13. It was the scene of the
Englebert tyre company's first win in 1952. Only five cars finished in 1966, the
second fewest number ever. Dan Gurney scored Eagle's - and America's - only
Grand Prix win in 1967. Dunlop scored their last win at the 1970 Belgian Grand
Prix at that remarkable average speed.
Three years later the newly standardised numbering system was first used at the
1973 Belgian Grand Prix, and eight years later, the race was stopped for the
first time due to a startline accident. In 1987, it was stopped by a second lap
accident, and three years after there was another startline accident. Of course,
in 1998, 13 cars were involved in the accident just after the first corner, but
only four drivers failed to take the restart. That year, of course, Jordan also
won for the first time.
Form
In terms of cars and drivers, Ferrari have won eleven times in Belgium,
including five one-twos and even a first to fourth in 1961. (Cooper had a first
to third a year earlier, lead home by Jack Brabham who started from pole, lead
every lap and set fastest lap too - Lauda did the same for Ferrari in 1976).
McLaren have won ten times, including five one-twos, but it was also the scene
of their first ever victory, back in 1968. Williams have won four times.
Since then Mika Hakkinen has been on pole position for the last three years, and
McLaren have been on the front row twice, and scored one of their one-twos two
years ago. But Williams have been in the points for every race since 1991,
including scoring three wins and two second places, but recently the results
have tailed off. However, on the podium for the last four years has been Jordan,
with that remarkable one-two in 1998.
It's a circuit richly associated with Michael Schumacher, as it is almost closer
to his home in Germany than Nurburgring, it's where he drove in his first Grand
Prix and scored his first Grand Prix victory. He has those five wins here too
and has scored two seconds.
But Mika Hakkinen's record is certainly an impressive one too: he has those
poles, has won once and finished second twice. David Coulthard has won once too,
but has otherwise never been on the rostrum. In theory, then, the battle should
be between Mika and Michael.
Of the others, Rubens Barrichello has had one pole - but little else. Frentzen
has been in the points for the last four races, and Ralf Schumacher has finished
the last three races in second or third. He would be a good bet for a rostrum
position, because Williams have been in the points every year since 1991 -
including two wins. Jordan have been in the points for the last four years too.
And there have been 17 and 16 finishers for the last couple of years.
Prediction
The championship may have been won, but Michael and Mika are both in relaxed
mood, and could well still dominate - even if Ralf, David and Rubens will still
be fighting for second in the championship. It's a tough one, now that different
people have different priorities. Michael? Mika? David? Ralf? Juan Pablo,
perhaps, even Jarno if only he'd stop going backwards. You take your pick.
Whatever, I think it will be a good Grand Prix.
Bob Constanduros
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Remember Planet F1 will be bringing you live coverage of all sessions with our
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Team Stats To Date: Team & Driver Stats - Up to and including Hungarian GP
Ferrari
Schumacher has out-qualified Barrichello 13 times this season
Average gap between drivers in qualifying: 0.570s
Schumacher's average qualifying position 1st, Barrichello's 5th
From 26 starts, Ferrari have finished 21 times (81%) and in the points 21 times
(81%)
From 13 starts, Schumacher has finished 11 times (85%), Barrichello has finished
10 times (77%)
Schumacher has completed 790/850 laps (92.94%), Barrichello has completed
715/850 laps (84.12%)
McLaren
Hakkinen has out-qualified Coulthard 6 times this season
Average gap between drivers in qualifying: 0.053s
Hakkinen's average qualifying position 4th, Coulthard's 3rd
From 26 starts, McLaren have finished 17 times (65%) and in the points 16 times
(62%)
From 13 starts, Hakkinen has finished 7 times (54%), Coulthard has finished 10
times (77%)
Hakkinen has completed 508/850 laps (59.76%), Coulthard has completed 758/850
laps (89.18%)
Williams
Schumacher has out-qualified Montoya 10 times this season
Average gap between drivers in qualifying: 0.484s
Schumacher's average qualifying position 2nd, Montoya's 7th
From 26 starts, Williams have finished 11 times (42%) and in the points 10 times
(38%)
From 13 starts, Schumacher has finished 7 times (54%), Montoya has finished 4
times (31%)
Schumacher has completed 628/850 laps (73.88%), Montoya has completed 535/850
laps (62.94%)
Benetton
Fisichella has out-qualified Button 11 times this season
Average gap between drivers in qualifying: 0.496s
Fisichella's average qualifying position 16th, Button's 20th
From 26 starts, Benetton have finished 17 times (65%) and in the points 3 times
(12%)
From 13 starts, Fisichella has finished 7 times (54%), Button has finished 10
times (77%)
Fisichella has completed 603/850 laps (70.94%), Button has completed 715/850
laps (84.12%)
BAR
Villeneuve has out-qualified Panis 8 times this season
Average gap between drivers in qualifying: 0.030s
Villeneuve's average qualifying position 10th, Panis' 12th
From 26 starts, BAR have finished 15 times (58%) and in the points 5 times (19%)
From 13 starts, Villeneuve has finished 8 times (62%), Panis has finished 7
times (54%)
Villeneuve has completed 604/850 laps (71.06%), Panis has completed 574/850 laps
(67.53%)
Jordan
Trulli has out-qualified Alesi 1 time this season
Trulli has out-qualified Frentzen/Zonta 10 times this season
Average gap between Trulli/Alesi in qualifying: 1.077s
Alesi's average qualifying position this season 15th, Trulli's 6th
From 26 starts, Jordan have finished 14 times (54%) and in the points 7 times
(27%)
From 13 starts, Alesi has finished 13 times (100%), Trulli has finished 6 times
(46%)
Alesi has completed 833/850 laps (98%), Trulli has completed 599/850 laps
(70.47%)
Arrows
Bernoldi has out-qualified Verstappen 7 times this season
Average gap between drivers in qualifying: 0.119s
Verstappen's average qualifying position 17th, Bernoldi's 19th
From 26 starts, Arrows have finished 14 times (54%) and in the points 1 times
(4%)
From 13 starts, Verstappen has finished 10 times (77%), Bernoldi has finished 4
times (31%)
Verstappen has completed 734/850 laps (86.35%), Bernoldi has completed 363/850
laps (42.71%)
Sauber
Heidfeld has out-qualified Raikkonen 7 times this season
Average gap between drivers in qualifying: 0.093s
Heidfeld's average qualifying position 9th, Raikkonen's 11th
From 26 starts, Sauber have finished 17 times (65%) and in the points 10 times
(38%)
From 13 starts, Heidfeld has finished 8 times (62%), Raikkonen has finished 9
times (69%)
Heidfeld has completed 587/850 laps (69.06%), Raikkonen has completed 696/850
laps (81.88%)
Jaguar
Irvine has out-qualified de la Rosa 5 times this season
Average gap between drivers in qualifying: 0.446s
Irvine's average qualifying position 13th, de la Rosa's 14th
From 26 starts, Jaguar have finished 13 times (50%) and in the points 2 times
(8%)
From 13 starts, Irvine has finished 5 times (38%), from 9 starts de la Rosa has
finished 5 times (56%)
Irvine has completed 547/850 laps (64.35%), de la Rosa has completed 408/527
laps (67.55%)
Minardi
Alonso has out-qualified Marques 12 times this season
Average gap between drivers in qualifying: 1.053s
Marques' average qualifying position 22nd, Alonso's 21st
From 25 starts, Minardi have finished 12 times (48%) and in the points 0 times
(0%)
From 13 starts, Alonso has finished 7 times (54%), from 12 starts Marques has
finished 5 times (42%)
Alonso has completed 568/850 laps (66.82%), Marques has completed 546/713 laps
(69.11%)
Prost
Frentzen has out-qualified Burti 1 time this season
Alesi out-qualified Burti 5 times
Alesi out-qualified Mazzacane 4 times
Average gap between drivers in qualifying: 1.042s
Frentzen's average qualifying position 8th, Burti's 18th
From 26 starts, Prost have finished 18 times (69%) and in the points 3 times
(12%)
From 11 starts, Frentzen has finished 6 times (55%), From 13 starts Burti has
finished 8 times (62%)
Frentzen has completed 532/659 laps (72.28%), Burti has completed 599/850 laps
(70.47%)
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