I guess that means McLaren have secured Piastri, otherwise they wouldn't get rid of Ricciardo

Hope he doesn't retire, maybe Haas could be a good option for him

unlike Alpine, where the team will always be entered around Ocon not him

at least with Haas he'd be team leader

 

Alfa Romeo will end their partnership with Sauber after next year’s championship, the announcement coming in the wake of Audi’s confirmation it will enter the sport in 2026.

 

The Alfa Romeo name returned to the Formula 1 grid in 2019, the Italian car company teaming up with Sauber.

 

Taking over the title sponsorship of the Ferrari-powered team, the deal was renewed last season with the extension running through to the end of 2023.

 

Alfa Romeo announced on Friday it won’t be renewed beyond that.

Audi has formally announced they will enter Formula 1 from 2026, although there has been no word on the rumoured link-up with Sauber.

 

After months of speculation that both Audi and Porsche were considering joining the Formula 1 fraternity as engine suppliers, Audi confirmed their arrival on Friday morning.

 

Holding a press conference at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, the German company confirmed that it will be in the sport as of 2026 with development preparations already underway, those having begun six months ago already.

 

The new F1 department in Neuburg is already 120 people strong, headed by Adam Baker who is a former Cosworth, BMW, FIA man.

If Verstappen decides to start at the back for this race it should be great watching that Red Bull carve through the field. Taking a penalty at Spa is pretty much an obvious choice here

 

 

He may well not be the only one too.

There won't be a better opportunity this season for Mercedes to win a race.

Looks like reverse grids by stealth then -

Verstappen, Leclerc, Norris, Bottas, Ocon and Schumacher will all take a grid penalty

Oh my, this will be must-watch TV come Sunday! Especially is there's rain.

George Russel to get a maiden win?

Oh my, this will be must-watch TV come Sunday! Especially is there's rain.

 

If there's rain there won't be a race so I'm praying for a dry one :lol:

Sainz to win!!! (There's hope)

Looking at the three practice sessions I can see no clear reason why Verstappen won't start from 15th and challenge for the win. He looks to be nearly a second a lap faster than the Ferrari's, has superior straight line speed to everyone and I can't see anyone stopping him at Kemmel. 44 laps to pass 14 cars... I'm sensing shades of Schumacher there in 1995.

 

 

(Now watch the Ferrari's cruise to victory and prove me totally wrong)

Ferrari will balls up the strategy 100% so we're on for Lewis vs Max I reckon! Russell an outside shot if he nails quali again.

Formula 1 can confirm that the Belgian Grand Prix will be on the 2023 calendar following an agreement to extend our partnership together. Further details on the 2023 calendar will be announced in due course," F1's statement read.

Good

 

 

Alonso absolutely nailing the fraud on the radio there. Nice spot of instant karma for some atrocious driving

@1563877289712140294

 

Radio message of the season

George Russel to get a maiden win?

 

Oh I am kind of a F1 newbie so I didn't know there were some courses they don't run in rain. Makes sense with a course like Spa though.

 

Happy to see Max charging through the field

Oh I am kind of a F1 newbie so I didn't know there were some courses they don't run in rain. Makes sense with a course like Spa though.

 

Happy to see Max charging through the field

There's no circuit that F1 won't run on in the wet but it can be such a thing as too wet

Best driver:

Worst driver:

Best team:

Worst team:

Best overtake:

Worst overtake:

Best moment:

Worst moment:

Best thing about the race:

Worst thing about the race:

 

And the race in a sentence:

Best driver: Verstappen

Worst driver: Hamilton

Best team: Red Bull

Worst team: McLaren

Best overtake: The first of Ocon's doubles

Worst overtake: Hamilton on Alonso

Best moment: Alonso's reaction to Hamilton

Worst moment: Hamilton spoiling Alonso's chance to score well

Best thing about the race: Watching Verstappen deliver a performance reminiscent of one of Schumacher's greatest

Worst thing about the race: Knowing that Verstappen is in a class of his own

 

And the race in a sentence: Proof, if anyone needed it, that we are now in the era of Max Verstappen

Edited August 28, 20222 yr by Severin

Apparently the tear off that blocked Leclerc's air intake was Verstappen's. Now that is some seriously next level Mario Kart skills on display there...

Edited August 28, 20222 yr by Severin