Formula One returns this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix, as Max Verstappen and Red Bull look to tighten their grip on both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
With the Dutchman and his team enjoying such a healthy advantage in both sets of standings, Ferrari and Charles Leclerc will need to mount a huge comeback between now and the checkered flag at Abu Dhabi if they are to truly challenge for either crown, so require a convincing victory at Spa after a series of humiliating strategy errors and driver mistakes cost them big in the latter stages of the first portion of the season.
Elsewhere, Mercedes will be looking to continue their strong progress after a slew of podium finishes for Lewis Hamilton, while McLaren and Alpine will continue to battle for fourth place in the teams’ standings.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix.
Spa Francorchamps track guide
Spa is one of the most popular circuits on the calendar with both fans and drivers, thanks to a layout which provides plenty of undulation, high speeds and tight cornering all in one.
The track is the longest on the calendar in terms of duration, with drivers taking around 100 seconds to complete a lap in dry conditions. Turn 1 is a sharp right-hander leading to a pair of long straights, but with a wide profile there is plenty of overtaking to be done off the line.
Arguably the most notorious corner in F1, Eau Rouge, is next up as drivers slalom flat-out up hill from right-to-left and back again on their run to the two-kilometer Kemmel Straight. With DRS active here during the race, this is the most likely overtaking zone once the action has settled down.
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Weather forecast
The Belgian Grand Prix often throws up difficult weather conditions, and last year’s controversial race saw only two laps run behind the safety car before a final result was declared thanks to a torrential downpour which flooded the track and some spectator areas.
This time Sunday is set to be dry but practice running and qualifying could be disrupted by the rain, with forecasts predicting light rain during Friday’s two sessions and then heavy could anticipated during qualifying the following afternoon.
How to watch Belgian Grand Prix 2022
tv: Sky Sports holds the right to broadcast all F1 races live in the UK, while Channel 4 shows highlights of both qualifying and the grand prix later in the day.
live streaming: Watch it live on NOW. You can purchase a one-off day pass for £11.99 or a monthly pass for £33.99.
Schedule in full:
- Free practice 1: Friday 26 August, 12:30pm, Sky Sports F1
- Free practice 2: Friday 26 August, 15:45, Sky Sports F1
- Free practice 3: Saturday 27 August, 11:45 am, Sky Sports F1
- Qualifying: Saturday 27 August, 14:00, Sky Sports F1 (Highlights 18:30 Channel 4)
- Race: Sunday 28 August, 12:30, Sky Sports F1 (Highlights 18:30 Channel 4)
Session times:
- Free practice 1: Friday 26 August 13:00
- Free practice 2: Friday 26 August, 16:00
- Free practice 3: Saturday 27 August, 12:00 p.m
- Qualifying: Saturday 27 August, 15:00
- Race: Sunday 28 August, 14:00
Belgian Grand Prix talking points
- Will Red Bull and Ferrari’s performance be curbed by the FIA’s crackdown on alleged flexi floor irregularities?
- Can Ferrari manage to complete a race without a significant error from either the team or a driver?
- Can Mercedes continue their forward progress and challenge for a race win?
- How will Daniel Ricciardo react to being dropped by McLaren?
- Will we learn any more about whether the Belgian Grand Prix will be on the 2023 F1 calendar?
F1 drivers’ standings
- 1. Verstappen (Red Bull) 258 points
- 2. Leclerc (Ferrari) 178
- 3.Perez (Red Bull) 173
- 4. Sainz (Ferrari) 158
- 5. Russell (Mercedes) 156
- 6.Hamilton (Mercedes) 146
- 7. Norris (McLaren) 76
- 8.Ocon (Alpine) 58
- 9. Bottas (Alfa Romeo) 46
- 10. Alonso (Alpine) 41
- 11. Magnussen (Haas) 22
- 12. Ricciardo (McLaren) 19
- 13.Gasly (AlphaTauri) 16
- 14. Vettel (Aston Martin) 16
- 15. Schumacher (Haas) 12
- 16. Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) 11
- 17. Zhou (Alfa Romeo) 5
- 18. Stroll (Aston Martin) 4
- 19. Albon (Williams) 3
- 20 Latifi (Williams) 0
- 21. Hulkenberg (Aston Martin) 0
Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from McLaren was confirmed earlier this week (Photo: Getty)
F1 constructors’ standings
- 1.Red Bull-431
- 2.Ferrari-334
- 3.Mercedes-304
- 4. Alpine – 99
- 5. McLaren – 95
- 6. Alfa Romeo – 51
- 7. Haas – 34
- 8. AlphaTauri – 27
- 9. Aston Martin – 20th
- 10.Williams – 3
