Formula 1: 2022 Belgian Grand Prix – what to expect

Formula 1 is back after a month-long absence from track and will recommence with a European triple header at the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix. Red Bull head into the second part of the season with a comfortable lead over rivals Ferrari amidst pending regulation changes. Here is what to expect ahead of its welcomed return. 

2022 Belgian Grand Prix

Image: Formula 1

Important times to look out for:

Practice 1 (26 August) – 14:00 – 15:00

Practice 2 (26 August) – 17:00 – 18:00 

Practice 3 (27 August) – 13:00 – 14:00

Qualifying (27 August) – 16:00 – 17:00

Race (28 August) – 15:00 – 17:00

Despite an absence on track, the world of Formula 1 has still been abuzz with news and controversial headlines. The most notable have been rumours of driver transfers and the uncertainty of Spa-Francorchamps featuring on the 2023 calendar. The controversial decision to raise floor heights for next season was also ratified over the break by the FIA despite strong criticism from teams that haven’t been struggling with porpoising-related performance losses.

While all of this has been happening in the background, what will take centre stage this weekend is the 80 point lead Max Verstappen has amassed over title-rival Charles Leclerc. With 9 races remaining, including the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix, it is comfortably within Red Bulls’ hands to ensure their reigning World Champion retains his title for another season. 

Further down the grid, Mercedes have proved their mettle time and again with reliability and consistent results bringing them into play and potentially in with a shout for second position in the Constructors’ standings. This is a big if, since the Tifosi will be hoping that the Scuderia cease their lamenting performance and strategy calls that have regularly seen them drop crucial points. 

Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez hasn’t discounted his Championship efforts either after the Mexican stated ‘anything can happen’ in the remaining races of the season. Only five points behind Leclerc, Perez stated: “I think what has really killed my first half of the season has been the DNFs, to be honest. Without those DNFs my championship would have looked a lot different to what it is now.”

After protests from certain teams within the grid, the FIA has also implemented a metric to determine an acceptable level of porpoising that teams will need to stay within from the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix moving forward. Failure to do so will result in penalties. 

2022 Belgian Grand Prix

Image: Formula 1

Another intervention imposed by the FIA is the floor tests to mitigate ‘flexi-floors’ for teams that could be circumventing regulations. Christian Horner has quashed claims that the RB18 could suffer performance losses at the new F1 directive, after countering belligerence from outspoken Mercedes principal Toto Wolff regarding the grey area. 

Despite all of the hearsay and debate, these new directives may shake things up all over the grid. 

The post Formula 1: 2022 Belgian Grand Prix – what to expect appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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