For a year now, sebastian vettel has been fighting in vain for a victory in formula 1 racing. On his return to belgium, the ferrari star expects to be back on sunday (15.10 a.M./RTL and sky) nevertheless has chances.
In the so far rather monotonous world championship fight, lewis hamilton wants to take another step towards title number six on one of the most legendary circuits.
Can sebastian vettel repeat his victory of the previous year??
After his one-year drought, the 32-year-old is longing for his first win of the season. Ferrari still has a strong engine, but it remains to be seen whether the scuderia will be able to keep up with industry leader mercedes on the demanding circuit. However, with vettel from heppenheim and monegasque charles leclerc in the cockpit, the italians should have fewer problems than last time in budapest. In hungary, vettel finished third right before the summer break. Winner there, too: british hamilton.
Can mercedes be beaten after a dominant first half of the season??
The competition will probably despair of the factory team in the remaining nine of the 21 races of the season. The sixth constructors’ title in a row is within reach. As last time in 2016, there were also first and second places in the drivers’ standings. This is currently occupied by hamilton and teammate valtteri bottas. The finn has a third place overall (2017) as the best world championship result in his biography so far and was able to become vice world champion for the first time. But the silver arrows are not expecting a self-runner. "We have to make sure we leave no room for error and constantly raise the bar," said team leader toto wolff.
What chances does max verstappen have in front of his home fans??
After two victories this year, 21-year-old verstappen is once again a force to be reckoned with. The ambitious red bull pilot was born in belgium and will start under the dutch flag – thousands of supporters in his home country will loudly support him at the track and provide for even more motivation. "Spa is my absolute favorite track. That’s why I’m really looking forward to it," said verstappen, who is third in the world championship standings behind the two mercedes drivers. He called the track "very challenging" – just right for the super talent.
What is special about the race track at spa-francorchamps??
At just over seven kilometers, it is the longest circuit in the formula 1 calendar. The courageous curve eau rouge with a gradient of 18 percent right after the start is legendary. The course in the ardennes woods goes up and down again and again – just like a roller coaster. With its good mix of long straights and fast corners, the circuit is one of the most technically demanding of the year. The sometimes changeable weather can be a particular challenge. It has happened that the sun was shining in one section of the track while it rained in another.