belgian grand prix stats and facts

7/27/2019 Belgian Grand Prix stats and facts

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Race

Preview2013 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX23 - 25 AUGUST 2013

The magnificent Spa-Francorchamps circuitwelcomes Formula One back from itssummer break for the Belgian Grand Prix,round 11 of the 2013 FIA F1 WorldChampionship. With nine races in the next14 weeks the second half the season packsa lot of action into a short space of time.

The championships are delicately poised:Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing hold

the lead in their respective competitions butthe chasing pack has stayed within range. Agood run of form now could see the worldchampion and his Milton Keynes-basedsquad build an unassailable position, whilepoor races here and in Italy neither ofwhich have been strong for RBR in recenthistory will set up a furious finish to theseason.

Spa-Francorchamps provides a thoroughtest of man and machine. The sweepingcurves, high speeds and roller-coasterprofile make this circuit a firm favourite withdrivers but a headache for engineers whohave to find a workable compromisebetween very different demands. Do youbring a low-downforce package for the fastfirst and third sectors and lose time in themake-or-break middle part of the lap or gofor higher downforce and potentially be asitting duck for overtaking on the long, fast

CIRCUIT DATA

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS

Length of lap:7.004kmLap record:1:47.263(Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing,2009)Start line/finish line offset:0.124kmTotal number of race laps:44Total race distance:308.052kmPitlane speed limits:80km/h throughout the entire event

weekend.

CHANGES TO THE CIRCUITSINCE 2012 The tyre barriers around theoutside of Turns 3 and 4 have beenrenewed.

Additional kerbs, 50mm above theexisting kerbs, will be installedbehind the kerbs on the apex of


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Kemmel straight? Over the years theadvantage has swung back and forth.

Pirelli are bringing their two hardestcompounds to the Ardennes, as was thecase in 2012. Last year Jenson Button won

with a one-stop strategy, while the majorityof the field, including third-placed KimiRikknen, opted for two. Of course Spa isone of the most-likely F1 venues to see theintermediate or full-wet tyres in action, andwith rain forecast for the weekend theresevery chance of seeing another classic,chaotic Belgian Grand Prix.

Turns 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

DRS ZONES There will be a two DRS zones inBelgium. The detection point for thefirst zone will be 240m before Turn 2,with the activation point 310m afterTurn 4. The second detection point

will be 160m before Turn 18, with theactivation point 30m after Turn 19.


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Belgian GP

Fast Facts

Spa was one of the venues forthe inaugural F1 WorldChampionship season in 1950. Ithas been the circuit used for thebulk of Belgian Grands Prix,hosting the race for 45 of its 57runnings. Sebastian Vettel leads theWorld Championship after theHungarian Grand Prix. Thistraditionally has been a point atwhich championship potential isassessed, regardless of thenumber of races that follow.Recent history suggests theleader after Hungary is rarelyoverhauled. In the last 13

seasons, only four times has thelead been relinquished. MichaelSchumacher trailed MikaHkkinen in 2000, KimiRikknen was third in 2007 withLewis Hamilton leading, andVettel himself lay third in both2010 and 2012, Mark Webberand Fernando Alonsorespectively spending thesummer break on top. The calendar has becomeincreasingly back-loaded inrecent years. The Belgian GrandPrix used to herald the beginningof the run-in to the end of the

season with three or four races(depending on whether itpreceded or followed the ItalianGrand Prix) coming after. Eightfurther grand prix will follow Spain 2013.

Michael Schumacher reignssupreme at Spa-Franchorchampswith six victories (1992, 1995-97,2001-02). He made his F1 debutat Spa in 1991 and came back torecord his first F1 victory a yearlater. Victory in 2001 wasSchumachers 52nd, overtaking

Alain Prost at the top of the order.He refers to it affectionately as hisliving room. In 2012 it was thevenue for his 300th Grand Prix. The 2012 Belgian Grand Prixmarked the end of an unusual runfor another world champion.Rikknens F1 record at Spaprior to this saw the Finn either

win or fail to finish every time hecame to the famous circuit. WithSauber in 2001 he failed to get offthe line. He had an engine failurewith McLaren in 2002 and spunoff in the final laps while dicing forthe lead in 2008. Hes won therace in 2003-05 and 2009. His 04and 09 victories came inuncompetitive cars that failed torecord other wins in thoseseasons. In 2012 he could onlymanage third whichnevertheless means hes been onthe podium at every BelgiumGrand Prix ever time hes seen

the chequered flag.

Ferrari are the most successfulconstructor in Belgium with 16victories to McLarens 14. Both,

however, have won the race adozen times at Spa-Franchorchamps. McLaren share with Lotus thedistinction of having won theBelgian Grand Prix at all threevenues to host it. In addition totheir 12 wins at Spa, McLarenhave a John Watson victory atZolder in 1982, while EmersonFittipaldi triumphed at Nivelles in1974. The only other grand prixthe Nivelles circuit was also wonby Fittipaldi, driving for Lotus in

1972, for whom Gunnar Nilsson(1977) and Mario Andretti (1978)won at Zolder, while Jim Clark(1962-65)) and Ayrton Senna(1985) triumphed at Spa.


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Belgian GP

Race Stewards

Biographies

LARS STERLINDFIA WORLD COUNCIL MEMBER; HONORARY PRESIDENT OFTHE SWEDISH AUTOMOBILE SPORT FEDERATIONLars sterlind is a highly experienced FIA steward who has officiatedat more than 100 grands prix and a similar number of World RallyChampionship rounds. A social sciences graduate and lifelong motorsport enthusiast, sterlind was President of the Swedish RallyCommission from 1978-1982, then President of the Swedish

Automobile Sport Federation from 1982-1996. He became HonoraryPresident in 1996 and has been a member of the FIA World Councilsince 1984. Outside motor sport sterlind has specialised inmanagement, working as a consultant and pursuing his own businessinterests. He is also experienced in local government at city councillevel.

FARHAN VOHRAMEMBER OF THE FEDERATION OF MOTOR SPORTS CLUBSOF INDIAFarhan Vohra, an economics graduate from Loyola College, Chennai,and a member of the FMSCI, Indias national motor sport authority, is

best known to the F1 paddock for his work at Buddh InternationalCircuit, home of the Indian Grand Prix. Last year his work at Buddhwas recognised when he was won the Best Clerk of the Course awardat the FIA Gala.Vohra is one of the FMSCIs senior stewards and alongside his duties

at several grands prix for the FIA has also been a steward for FIM,motorcyclings governing body. A long-time competitor, involved inmotor sport since the mid-1990s, Vohra started officiating in 2006 aftertaking a break from active competition. He has since been the Clerk ofthe Course for all Indian national championships, both racing and

karting.

DEREK WARWICKFORMER FORMULA ONE DRIVER AND WORLD SPORTSCARCHAMPIONDerek Warwick raced in 146 grands prix from 1981 to 1993, appearingfor Toleman, Renault, Brabham, Arrows and Lotus. He scored 71points and achieved four podium finishes, with two fastest laps. He wasWorld Sportscar Champion in 1992, driving for Peugeot. He also wonLe Mans in the same year. He raced Jaguar sportscars in 1986 and1991 and competed in the British Touring Car Championship between1995 and 1998, as well as a futher appearance at the Le Mans in 1996,driving for the Courage Competition team. Warwick is a frequent FIAdriver steward and is President of the British Racing Drivers Club.


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Belgian GP

Championship Standings

(Drivers)


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Belgian GP

Championship Standings

(Constructors)

Belgian GP

Formula One Timetable

& FIA Media Schedule

THURSDAYPress Conference

FRIDAYPractice Session 1Practice Session 2Press Conference

SATURDAYPractice Session 3QualifyingFollowed by unilateral andpress conference

SUNDAYDrivers' ParadeRaceFollowed by podium interviews andpress conference

15.00

10.00-11.3014.00-15.3016.00

11.00-12.0014.00-15.00

12.3014.00

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