Belgian Grand Prix: Podium example

The race in Spa is always highly anticipated. Behind the big summer break, ahead of the second part of the championship, in which everything will be decided. There are nine stages ahead in less than three months.

For the second year in a row, the Grand Prix in Spa will start a series of three races in a row – in Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy, but if more stages follow in Turkey and Sochi in 2021, then in 2022 after this series will leave Formula 1 Europe and advances to the final round of the six road Grand Prix.

Everyone loves the track at Spa, but it could leave the Formula 1 calendar. The owners of the track have invested in a serious reconstruction, taking into account the demands of the FIM motorcycle federation, and committing their future to less expensive types racing competitions.

Problems with the contract are purely financial, although the stage drew 250,000 spectators a weekend and the stands will be filled again this week. Unfortunately, there is not enough money from ticket sales to pay the FOM. Compared to venues in the Middle East, the European circuits are extremely bad.

The Belgian and French rounds brought Formula 1 “only” 22 million dollars a year and are a thing of the past. Only paid less in Monaco – $15 million. For example, the organizers are paying $40 million for the race at the Hungaroring, so the contract with Hungary has been extended until 2037.

If no additional sources of funding can be found, the Belgian Grand Prix will be held at Spa every few years, interspersed with some other European circuits that have similar problems – with Germany, France or Imola.

Last year’s race at Spa was the same Formula 1 fiasco as Indianapolis’05, where only three teams started. Both cases were attributed to safety issues – in the US with Michelin tires failing the side loads in a profiled corner, in Belgium due to heavy rain.

Both times the organizers failed. In Indianapolis it was possible to build a temporary chicane, in Spa – to postpone the race to another day so that the fans in the stands and spectators around the world would have nothing, but it was again decided to sacrificing the interests of the public.

The 2021 Spa race was the shortest in Formula 1 history with just one lap completed and not a full one at 6,880 metres. Nevertheless, it was recognized as valid and awarded half of the points to the top ten. Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali apologized to fans and expressed the hope that they would receive compensation.

Four months later, the stage promoter, the company Spa Grand Prix, offered fans an annual subscription to F1TV, access to an exclusive event for the Belgian Grand Prix and participation in a raffle, instead of refunding money for tickets. which 170 fans (out of 75,000 who bought tickets) will receive higher-class tickets for the 2022 race. Obviously, everyone disagreed with this decision. And just as the track disappeared from the calendar after the Indianapolis fiasco after a while, so will the Spa.

While no major intrigue is expected in the battle for the title, there have been unexpected changes in the roster during the summer break.

On Thursday, Alonso said in Hungary that the matter of renewing Alpine’s contract will not last more than ten minutes, that he is committed to the team and will remain – there is no doubt about it. Fernando was convincing.

On Friday the team congratulated him on his birthday and on Saturday Otmar Szafnauer offered to extend the contract for 2023 with an option to extend if the oldest rider in the championship is in as good shape as he is next year. But Fernando wanted a longer contract, so the parties did not sign anything and agreed to continue negotiations over the holidays.

On Sunday, Alonso was seen leaving the Aston Martin motorhome and on Monday morning a press release from Aston Martin was issued – a multi-year contract had been signed and Alonso would replace Vettel next year. Safnauer unexpectedly lost his main star – and admitted that this release surprised the team. But over the course of his career, Fernando has more than once provided some surprises.

But Alpine had a relapse. They started naming a member of their youth program Oscar Piastri – in 2022 there was no place for the reigning Formula 2 champion in the main team – only because of Alonso, but the team developed and paid for a large testing program for the Australian at various tracks, with last year’s car, mechanics and everything you need, but then Oscar suddenly stopped communicating.

Having received no response, but being assured that Piastri is their rider, Alpine’s press service released a release Tuesday morning confirming the lineup for 2023, stating that Piastri would become Ocon’s partner, but without a quote from the Austrian rider, who wrote on social networks a few hours later that Alpine will not perform. This release is still the latest on the Alpine media site, although there will be no Piastri on the team. He is rumored to replace Ricciardo in the McLaren.

This funny story with multiple teams and riders will continue until the end of the season, adding even more intrigue.