Athletistic/Formula-1. The Formula 1 summer vacation is over and the racing series is back at one of its most iconic locations. The Belgian Grand Prix will take place this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.

Down-the-line.ru will broadcast a live online broadcast: Formula 1. Belgian Grand Prix. Qualification. Direct

Charles Leclerc’s chances of winning the title, and with him Ferrari, quickly vanished. Max Verstappen and Red Bull are fighting for a championship that looks easy.

Much of the drama in the world of Formula 1 in recent weeks has been caused by driver changes in 2023. Sebastian Vettel is retiring and Fernando Alonso is leaving Alpine to take his place at Aston Martin. Daniel Ricciardo is leaving McLaren and 2021 F2 champion Oscar Piastri will take his place.

Circuit Spa-Francorchamps

This track in the Ardennes forest in eastern Belgium features one of the most famous sections of the track in motorsport – a combination of Eau Rouge and Raidillon corners. The site is a succession of left-right-left bends, sometimes blind for motorists. The term “curve” is used relatively loosely here as F1 cars can go straight through this section.

It’s the longest track in F1 (around 7km/4.3 miles) and is known for its weird weather. Its location in the hilly forest and its size create strange weather conditions which can vary on different sections of the track.

On this section of Au Rouge and Rydilon, Antoine Hubert was involved in a fatal accident during an F2 race in 2019. Last year the Belgian Grand Prix took place in pouring rain, but the cars were not only ran behind the safety car. This meant that qualifying determined the order in which the race would finish.

The spa has been renovated to solve some security problems at Raidillon. Some sections of the track have been updated and may offer a few surprises when teams hit the track.

The main topic of conversation this week is the future of the Belgian Grand Prix. The circuit’s contract with F1 ends after this year and its place on the 2023 calendar is in question. F1 wants to race on new tracks and it is clear that this classic race could be eliminated. The 2023 schedule has yet to be announced, so nothing has been confirmed yet.