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F1 EVENT GUIDE: ROUND 13 SPA

Spa

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: July 28, 2023

The daunting Spa Francorchamps awaits for one last blast before the Formula 1 summer break. With McLaren’s 35-year record for the most consecutive wins broken at Hungary, the question is can Red Bull ever be beaten in 2023?

Whilst the famous 7km of celebrated tarmac weaving its way through the Ardennes Forest is one of the trickiest on the calendar to master, it brought out the best in Max Verstappen last year.

Download the full F1 Belgian Grand Prix event guide HERE with track stats and facts and a full event schedule, plus our extensive driver profiles.

Oscar Piastri pounced after Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris went three wide into turn one. Photo by Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images

Belgium 2022 is one of Verstappen’s most famous wins, soaring through the field in a flash to fly from 14th to first within 12 laps.

The Dutch driver was never troubled again as he cruised to a stunning 17s win and ominously the #1 showed similar form last weekend.

Despite having a “messy” quali lap, Verstappen enjoyed another “lovely” Sunday drive to secure his seventh straight win and Red Bull’s 12th.

Belgium 2013 was the start of Sebastian Vettel’s run to the most number of consecutive wins with nine and Verstappen could be on the verge of matching that if he completes a hat-trick at Spa.

His teammate returned to the podium, but did not do enough to arrest the doubters and would like a more complete performance to enjoy a quiet summer break.

Verstappen Spa

Max Verstappen on his way to securing a special Spa triumph. Photo by Steven Tee / LAT Images

Behind Red Bull the battle for second is spicing up between Mercedes and its own power unit customer McLaren.

Lewis Hamilton showed the new W14 upgrades work by taking pole, while McLaren proved its MCL60 can excel in high and low speed tracks with Lando Norris returning to the podium.

However, it could have been Australia’s Oscar Piastri, who spent the opening stint in a stunning second after performing a calculated and composed move on both Norris and Hamilton at the first corner.

But sadly for a second weekend in a row the Aussie could count himself unlucky he did not become the first rookie to score a first-year podium since Lance Stroll in 2017.

Despite the recent disappointments, it will only be a matter of time if Piastri and McLaren continue their progression.

Esteban Ocon, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez race four wide on the opening lap of the 2018 Belgium Grand Prix. Photo by Manuel Goria / Sutton Images

Daniel Ricciardo stunned all on his impressive comeback drive to 13th, which does not do justice to the performance considering he came in as raw as possible.

Meanwhile, Ferrari had another disappointing time making “too many mistakes” Aston Martin needs to regain some time and the Alpines have to stop taking each other out.

These teams may have to watch out for Ricciardo and Williams as they look to make some unexpected points appearances.

Sprint racing returns to Formula 1 with the revised format to make its first appearance at the historic circuit.

If any drama was needed, dire weather is forecast to soak Spa all weekend.

Download the full F1 Belgian Grand Prix event guide HERE with track stats and facts and a full event schedule, plus our extensive driver profiles.

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