formula 1
You need to know that about the Belgian Grand Prix
Formula 1 star Max Verstappen leads the championship standings. photo
© Darko Bandic/AP/dpa
Formula 1 is back from vacation in Max Verstappen’s second home. Can the world champion be stopped on the way to the next title?
Formula 1 is back from the summer break and is going full steam ahead with a triple pack.
Spa-Francorchamps, Zandvoort and Monza could become crucial stations on the way to Max Verstappen’s second World Championship crowning over the next three weekends. Around the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday (3 p.m. / Sky) there are also some future topics in focus.
Can the title race be exciting again?
With an 80-point lead over Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, defending champion Max Verstappen already has a very comfortable cushion. The Red Bull star won eight of the 13 races this year. And in his country of birth, Belgium, and his home country, the Netherlands, he still has two particularly motivating performances to look forward to. “I’m definitely itching to get going again,” says Verstappen. Bad prospects for the red competition, especially since Ferrari has repeatedly lost important points this season due to breakdowns, mistakes and inability. A lot would have to come together so that the Scuderia can still shoot it.
What about Mick Schumacher’s future?
The 23-year-old still has no contract for the coming year. His employer Haas takes his time with the talks. Schumacher should provide further arguments for continued employment on the route. However, his options for a different cockpit are limited. The top teams have already fixed their driver pairings for 2023. At McLaren, Alpine or Alfa Romeo, Schumacher is probably not the first choice when it comes to personnel considerations. A strong performance in what used to be the living room of his father Michael, who won his first race in Spa 30 years ago, would improve son Mick’s negotiating position with Haas.
What’s next for spa?
The place of the Ardennes roller coaster in the racing calendar is under threat. The track reportedly does not yet have a contract for 2023. Because the races in Qatar and Las Vegas will be added and space may have to be made for China and South Africa, Formula 1 could avoid Belgium next year. “It’s all about the money nowadays and that’s the problem. It’s just a business,” says McLaren driver Lando Norris. France and possibly even Monaco are also on the brink.
And what about the Formula 1 plans of Audi and Porsche?
The fact that the two VW Group subsidiaries want to take part in the racing series from 2026 onwards has long been no real secret. During the summer break, the world association cleared the way by agreeing on the new engine formula. It is rumored that at least Audi could very soon be making details of its Formula 1 commitment public. Maybe even in Spa.