Speedcafe.com Race Guide - 2011 Belgian Grand Prix

The difinitive F1 form guide

Belgium Round 12 August 26 - 28 2011

2011 FoRmulA 1 Shell BelgiAn gRAnd PRix (SPA-FRAncoRchAmPS)

SenSational Spa ars since debut

Schumacher celebrates 20 ye

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Race Guide It was a wet start to the previous round in Hungary. Will the notoriously unpleasant Belgian weather arrive for this weekend’s race?

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Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps

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Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps

INTRODUCTION RACE GUIDE EVENT 2 – Clipsal 500, Adelaide – March 17-20

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SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS EDITOR: Stefan Bartholomaeus PRODUCTION: Stefan Bartholomaeus SALES/MARKETING: Leisa Emberson IMAGES: Scuderia Ferrari Red Bull Racing Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Mercedes GP Lotus Renault GP Virgin Racing Hispania Racing Team GUEST COLUMNIST: Craig Baird PARTNERS: Castrol EDGE, IRWIN Tools, Jack Daniel’s, Orrcon Steel, Pirtek, Vodafone, HDT, Norton 360, Toshiba, Armor All

Let the games begin

A

ny Australian race fan looking at Sebastian Vettel’s championship lead and contemplating an alternative way of spending their Sunday nights during the second half of this season should think

again.

The 23-year-old German may have a monster margin over the field after 11 races, but that won’t stop the sport’s leading teams from waging a mighty war for the eight Grands Prix trophies still available.

McLaren heads into this weekend’s race with a healthy dose of recent form, and two drivers that have perennially shone in Spa’s traditionally trying conditions.

Last year’s Belgian Grand Prix was a case in point for Lewis Hamilton, who won the race despite two major offs - the second of which was large enough to involve a brush with the outside wall at Rivage.

Hamilton is the type of driver who puts it all on the line at every corner. It may not make for the best championship campaign, but it sure makes for interesting viewing for the spectators.

With Mark Webber still looking for his first win of the season, and Fernando Alonso determined to push Ferrari forwards after a difficult first half, the stage is set for some thrilling races, no matter what the points equation might indicate.

Green means go!

STEFAN BARTHOLOMAEUS Journalist, Speedcafe.com Editor, Speedcafe Race Guides

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Race Guide

COVER STORY

Sensational Spa Michael Schumacher prepares for another assault on the legendary circuit 20 years since making his F1 debut

W

hen Michael Schumacher lined up on the SpaFrancorchamps grid for his first Grand Prix in 1991, it’s doubtful that the then 22-year-old German could have envisaged the record haul of seven World Drivers’ Championship titles that his career has since provided.

The idea that he’d be returning to the legendary Belgian circuit to compete a full 20 years after his debut would arguably have been a concept even harder for the youngster to fathom.

While the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix itself may not have lasted long for Schumacher (his Jordan’s clutch burnt out at the start), the fact that he’d qualified the unfancied first-year team’s car seventh on the grid on such a demanding track layout was enough to raise plenty of eyebrows.

Having taken his first Grand Prix win at Spa in 1992, as well as a further five successes at the venue between 1995 and 2002, it’s no surprise that Schumacher has a real soft-spot for the 7.0 kilometre mountain course.

“It’s hard to believe that this

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was such a long time ago,” says Schumacher today of his debut.

“A lot has changed in those 20 years, but one thing has not - the track is still sensational.

“I just love the great nature of the location and the resulting layout with all the ups and downs.

“To me, Spa remains my ‘living room’, because it has been the stage for so many things which have been remarkable for my sporting career.”

Still searching for his first podium finish since returning to the sport last year, Schumacher emerges from 2011’s mid-season break a disappointing 10th in the championship standings - a full

16 points behind team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Although the development time since the Hungarian Grand Prix was significantly reduced by an enforced two-week shutdown of all team factories, Mercedes heavyweight Norbert Haug is optimistic of a strong result on the fast and flowing circuit this weekend.

“The races at Spa have historically been full of surprises and the weather has mostly played a major role,” says Haug.

“The layout of the circuit should suit our current technical package a little bit better than was the case at the previous two races.”

Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps

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Race Guide

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Race Guide

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Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps

TRACK DETAILS

Key Characteristics

Set-up Insight

- Medium-low downforce track

Bumpiness Medium Overtaking chance Low Kerbs Low Ride-height setting High front (for Turn 3) Engine severity Very high Gearbox severity Lowest Lat/long grip Lateral Aero efficiency ratio Very high Weekend grip evolution High Aero settings Medium/low Brake wear sensitivity Low Brake cooling necessity Low Pirelli tyre compounds Soft and Medium

- Easy on brakes and cooling - Minimum ride-height is determined by T3 - Longest circuit of the season - Seventh gear setting influenced by wind on the main straight - Tend to run on the limiter in seventh gear to allow higher revs in Eau Rouge - Top speed can be reached towards T5 or T18 depending on wind direction - Top speed is important for good lap time in Sectors 1 and 3 and for overtaking - Sector 2 is a downforce dominant sector - No ‘in-lap’ after the chequered flag

Data supplied by Team Lotus

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Race Guide

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F

ather’s will be treated to a free sports car fest at Phillip Island during Round 5 of the Vodka O Australian GT Championship, which will he held on Fathers Day September 4.

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Mark Eddy, Klark Quinn, Dean Grant and Greg Crick are all within striking distance of the Tourist Trophy Title, which is decided by the driver than accumulates the most combined points from the Eastern Creek and Phillip Island rounds of the championship.

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“Any name added to the Trophy will join a long list some very high profile and famous drivers, and will be a well earned reward.”

Racing begins at 9.30 each morning with ticket prices ranging from $10.00 for adults to $20.00 per family, while Dad’s with their kids will get in free on Sunday to celebrate Fathers Day. Tickets available at the gate.

Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps Round 2 – Malaysia

OPINION by CRAIG BAIRD

Here come the McLarens

I

t’s no secret that Spa-Francorchamps is my favourite race track. I was lucky enough to race a Porsche RSR GT2 car in the 24 Hour race there in 2008.

Obviously it’s not a Formula One car, but the Porsche had enough power and downforce for us to be able to appreciate just how good the track is.

The biggest thing when you get to Spa is that, from the time you arrive through the gates, you can’t help but feel the history of the place. It has so much motorsport heritage, not just for Formula One but with sportscars and touring cars as well.

From a driver’s perspective, every corner on the current 7.0km layout looks perfect. With the way the corners are cambered, as well as the elevation changes that provide some uphill braking areas, even the slower chicanes are enjoyable.

It’s a track that has a huge amount of flow - each corner leads onto another corner that you look forward to coming up to. Unlike a lot of tracks where you’ve got good little sectors mixed with areas that you come up to and think ‘oh, not this again.’ And the elevation is massive - it makes Bathurst look like a little hill!

Everyone is quick to mention Eau Rouge when they talk about Spa, but in the Porsche the hardest corner on the track was Blanchimont. It’s a double apex corner, flat-out in top gear, and in a GT car it’s horrifying. I followed a Corvette off there in the middle of the night and thought I’d seen a plane crash!

The weather always plays a huge part in how the Grand Prix weekends play out at Spa - it’s just one of those places. It’s not the size of a Nordschleife, but the elevation means that you can often be in the clouds at one point and have beautiful blue skies at another. The weather is very unpredictable, and we’ve seen a lot of Safety Cars here in the past largely because of that.

There are a few things that happen at Spa that we don’t normally see anywhere else. The high speed nature of the track means that the cars will start the race with more fuel than at any other time during the season. So they’ll be

massively heavy, and will be a real handful with the downforce created in corners like Eau Rouge during the first laps of the race.

It’s something that you’ve got to think about probably more so at Spa than anywhere else due to the compression loadings.

Although it won’t be used through Eau Rouge, Spa is a place that the DRS will work massively well. You’ll come out of Eau Rouge in top gear and then run it all the way to Les Combes. That places a lot of emphasis on how the cars are geared and what wing levels they run, which means teams will have to really compromise either their qualifying or race speed.

I don’t believe we’ll see people worrying about qualifying as much as we’ve seen in the past. They’ll look at the long-range weather forecast and see if they need to save tyres or not. The rate of winning from pole isn’t that great here.

Being a medium to high speed track, it is a place where you’d expect the Red Bulls to struggle - they’re not known for their top speed. But there are enough long radius corners for them to make the time back up again.

The Red Bull and the McLaren will be very close on an outright lap time in qualifying, but they’ll achieve it in two very different ways. Personally I think the Red Bull might lose out overall because of the DRS. Even though they may be able to edge out little gaps in parts of the circuit, they’ll be vulnerable to some of the cars with higher top speeds.

It’s very hard to tip a winner, but if I had to put my money on the nose of anyone I’d put it on Lewis Hamilton at the moment. Red Bull can still probably get pole, but I think we’re starting to see Red Bull’s advantage disappear.

F1 TV TIMES Saturday; Qualifying - 9:30pm-11:10pm (One HD) Sunday, Race - 9:00pm-12:05am (One HD), 10:40pm12:55am (Ten) Check local guides for details

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Race Guide

THE BAG MAN

THE N A M G A B SPEEDCAFE.COM’S

AN’S SAY

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Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps Round 2 – Malaysia

RED BULL RACING SEBASTIAN VETTEL Nationality: German Wins: 16 DoB: 03/07/1987 Poles: 23 Debut: Indianapolis, 2007 Fastest Laps: 7 Career Highlights: 2010 World Drivers’ Champion, 2nd 2006 F3 Euro Series, 2nd 2004 Formula BMW ADAC Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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MARK WEBBER Wins: 6 Nationality: Australian Poles: 9 DoB: 27/08/1976 Fastest Laps: 10 Debut: Albert Park, 2002 Career Highlights: 3rd 2010 World Drivers’ Championship, 2nd 2001 International F3000, 1st 1996 British FF Festival Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY For the first time this season, Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing head into a Grand Prix as something other than the favourites.

The team has not won since Valencia, and the wide-open spaces of Sectors 1 and 2 at Spa did not well suit the downforceladen, Renault-powered, Red Bull cars last year.

The RB7s are likely to be highly competitive in qualifying however, and are therefore still a strong chance for the race.

Neither Vettel nor Mark Webber have won at Spa in the past, with Vettel spectacularly colliding with Jenson Button’s McLaren last year.

RED BULL RACING Chassis: Red Bull RB7 Engine: Renault RS27-2011 Base: Milton Keynes, UK Team nationality: Austrian Team principal: Christian Horner Technical leader: Adrian Newey Debut: Albert Park, 2005 Wins: 21 Poles: 31 Fastest Laps: 17 Constructors’ Championships: 1

Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form 2001

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Race Guide

McLAREN MERCEDES LEWIS HAMILTON

Nationality: British Wins: 16 DoB: 07/01/1985 Poles: 18 Debut: Albert Park, 2007 Fastest Laps: 10 Career Highlights: 2008 World Drivers’ Champion, 2006 GP2 Champion, 2005 F3 Euroseries Champion Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button will both fancy their chances of a win this weekend.

McLaren won three of the last four races prior to the break, and under the enforced factory shutdown regulations, little is supposed to have changed since Hungary.

Two of the three recent race wins from the pair have come in changeable conditions - similar to those usually seen at Spa. While lacking the mercurial weather-predicting ability seemingly possessed by his teammate, Hamilton is nothing short of sublime in greasy conditions, as evidenced by his Spa win of 2010.

Both are in with a big chance.

JENSON BUTTON Nationality: British Wins: 11 DoB: 19/01/1980 Poles: 7 Debut: Albert Park, 2000 Fastest Laps: 4 Career Highlights: 2009 World Drivers’ Champion, 1st 1998 British FF Festival, 1998 British FF Champion Recent Grand Prix Form AUS

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VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES

Chassis: McLaren MP4-26 Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108Y Base: Woking, UK Team nationality: British Team principal: Martin Whitmarsh Technical leader: Paddy Lowe Debut: Monte Carlo, 1966 Wins: 173 Poles: 146 Fastest Laps: 145 Constructors’ Championships: 8

Round 8 – Valencia

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Race Guide

FERRARI FERNANDO ALONSO Nationality: Spanish Wins: 27 DoB: 29/07/1981 Poles: 20 Debut: Albert Park, 2001 Fastest Laps: 19 Career Highlights: 2005 and 2006 World Drivers Champion, 1st 1999 Euro Open by Nissan Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO

FELIPE MASSA Nationality: Brazilian Wins: 11 DoB: 25/04/1981 Poles: 15 Debut: Albert Park, 2002 Fastest Laps: 14 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 World Drivers’ Championship, 1st 2001 Euro F3000, 1st 2000 Formula Renault Eurocup Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY With the Scuderia publically acknowledging that it will soon switch its focus to the 2012 regulations, it could well be a difficult second half of the season for the Ferrari drivers.

It should be noted however that Fernando Alonso scored the most points out of anyone across the four races leading into the midseason break, despite struggling for qualifying speed.

The cool temperatures of Belgium are unlikely to help Ferrari’s chances. The red machines have proven particularly tricky to drive in the wet conditions this season - a trait unlikely to be favourable on Spa’s sweeping curves.

Chassis: Ferrari 150th Italia Engine: Ferrari 056 Base: Maranello, Italy Team nationality: Italian Team principal: Stefano Domenicalli Technical leader: Pat Fry Debut: Monte Carlo, 1950 Wins: 216 Poles: 205 Fastest Laps: 227 Constructors’ Championships: 16

Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps

MERCEDES MICHAEL SCHUMACHER Nationality: German Wins: 91 DoB: 03/01/1969 Poles: 68 Debut: Spa, 1991 Fastest Laps: 76 Career Highlights: 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 World Drivers’ Champion, 1st 1990 German F3 Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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NICO ROSBERG Wins: 0 Nationality: German Poles: 0 DoB: 27/06/1985 Fastest Laps: 2 Debut: Sakhir, 2006 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, 2005 GP2 Champion, 1st 2002 Formula BMW ADAC Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY After a thoroughly disappointing opening half of the 2011 season, the only realistic goal for Mercedes is to further establish itself as the ‘best of the rest’ team behind Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.

The Spa layout may bring the W02s slightly closer to their racewinning brethren this weekend, with the silver cars having found the going even harder on the tighter layouts, such as the Hungaroring, in recent times.

Spa holds many memories for Michael Schumacher, but they will count for little on-track.

Nico Rosberg will see the daunting circuit as a prime chance to prove his superiority over Schumacher. The pair raced each other hard here last year, albeit for sixth and seventh places.

MERCEDES GP PETRONAS F1 TEAM

Chassis: Mercedes MGP W02 Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108Y Base: Brackley, UK Team nationality: British Team principal: Ross Brawn Technical leader: Bob Bell Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

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Race Guide

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Round 1 – Australia

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Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps Round 2 – Malaysia

RENAULT NICK HEIDFELD Nationality: German Wins: 0 DoB: 10/05/1977 Poles: 1 Debut: Albert Park, 2000 Fastest Laps: 2 Career Highlights: 2nd 2005 Monaco Grand Prix, 1999 Formula 3000 Champion, 1996 German F3 Champion Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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VITALY PETROV Wins: 0 Nationality: Russian Poles: 0 DoB: 08/09/1984 Fastest Laps: 1 Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Career Highlights: 3rd 2011 Australian Grand Prix, 2nd 2009 GP2 Series, 3rd 2008 GP2 Asia Series Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Much doubt surrounds the black and gold entries heading into the weekend, with reports that Nick Heidfeld will be dropped in favour of Bruno Senna gaining momentum as this Race Guide was published.

The team’s owner, GenII Capital, merged with a Brazilian firm recently, and is understandably keen to entice backers from the area into the team.

Meanwhile, Renault will continue to persist with its radical forward-facing exhausts this weekend, despite now running a simultaneous rearward exhaust development program.

Both cars failed to make the top 10 in qualifying or the race last time out in Hungary. It could well be another tough weekend at Spa.

LOTUS RENAULT GP Chassis: Renault R31 Engine: Renault RS27-2011 Base: Enstone, UK Team nationality: British Team principal: Eric Boullier Technical leader: James Allison Debut: Silverstone, 1977 Wins: 35 Poles: 51 Fastest Laps: 31 Constructors’ Championships: 2

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Race Guide

Round 8 – Valencia

WILLIAMS

RUBENS BARRICHELLO

Nationality: Brazilian Wins: 11 DoB: 23/05/1972 Poles: 14 Debut: Kyalami, 1993 Fastest Laps: 17 Career Highlights: 2nd 2002 and 2004 World Drivers Championship, 1991 British Formula 3 Champion Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form 2001

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PASTOR MALDONADO

AT&T WILLIAMS

Nationality: Venezuelan Wins: 0 DoB: 09/03/1985 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2010 GP2 Champion, 3rd 2006 Formula Renault 3.5, 1st 2004 Formula Renault 2000 Italia

Chassis: Williams FW33 Engine: Cosworth CA2011 Base: Grove, UK Team nationality: British Team principal: Frank Williams Technical leader: Sam Michael Debut: Buenos Aires, 1978 Wins: 113 Poles: 126 Fastest Laps: 130 Constructors’ Championships: 9

Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Having scored just four points across the first 11 races, it would be a stretch to predict that either Williams driver will finish in the top 10 this weekend.

While Spa will not emphasise the FW33’s most apparent weakness - an alarming hunger for rear tyres, the long straights and full-throttle corners won’t exactly advantage the Cosworth runners.

Pastor Maldonado made Q3 on three separate occasions during the season’s first half, but has yet to score a single point in a Grand Prix. Only Rubens Barrichello’s experience in a potentially chaotic race should work for this team.

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Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps Round 2 – Malaysia

FORCE INDIA ADRIAN SUTIL Nationality: German Wins: 0 DoB: 11/01/1983 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2007 Fastest Laps: 1 Career Highlights: 2006 All-Japan F3 Champion, 2nd 2005 F3 Euroseries, 2nd 2005 Masters of F3 Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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PAUL DI RESTA

FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM

Wins: 0 Nationality: Scottish Poles: 0 DoB: 16/04/1986 Fastest Laps: 1 Debut: Albert Park, 2011 Career Highlights: 2010 DTM Champion, 2006 Formula 3 Euroseries Champion, 1st 2006 Masters of F3

Chassis: Force India VJM04 Engine: Mercedes FO 108Y Base: Silverstone, UK Team nationality: Indian Team principal: Vijay Mallya Technical leader: Andrew Green Debut: Albert Park, 2008 Wins: 0 Poles: 1 Fastest Laps: 1 Constructors’ Championships: 0

Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Force India enjoyed its best ever Formula One race result at Spa with Giancarlo Fisichella at the wheel in 2009, and will fancy its chances of more points this weekend.

The VJ Mallya owned cars have traditionally performed more competitively at high-speed circuits, thanks to both a slippery low-downforce wing package and strong Mercedes engine.

Paul di Resta returned to the points in Hungary for the first time since Sepang - helping the team score 14 points across the last two races.

Both drivers are a genuine Q3 and points chance this weekend.

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Race Guide

Round 1 – Australia

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21

Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps Round 2 – Malaysia

SAUBER KAMUI KOBAYASHI Nationality: Japanese Wins: 0 DoB: 13/09/1986 Poles: 0 Debut: Interlagos, 2009 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2008/09 GP2 Asia Series Champion, 4th 2007 F3 Euroseries, 1st 2005 FRenault Eurocup Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

CHI

TUR

ESP

MON

CAN

EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

7

10

10

10

5

7

16

DNF

9

11

Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

8

SERGIO PEREZ

SAUBER F1 TEAM

Wins: 0 Nationality: Mexican Poles: 0 DoB: 26/01/1990 Fastest Laps: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2011 Career Highlights: 2nd 2010 GP2 Series, 4th 2007 British F3 Championship Class, 1st 2007 British F3 National Class Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

CHI

TUR

ESP

MON

DNF 17 14 9 DNS

Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form

THE BAGMAN’S SAY Sauber appears as a real contender to Force India for the final points this weekend.

Currently nine points and one position ahead of their Indianbranded rivals in the Constructors’ Championship, Sauber has produced a strong car this year particularly in race trim.

Having used the mid-season break to fully recover from his Monaco qualifying crash, Sergio Perez will look to continue his fine Spa form from Formula 3 and GP2, while Kobayashi has scored points more often than not this season.

The team’s performance on the medium compound tyre is somewhat of a question mark though.

CAN

EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

-

11

7

11

15

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Chassis: Sauber C30 Engine: Ferrari 056 Base: Hinwil, Switzerland Team nationality: Swiss Team principal: Peter Sauber Technical leader: James Key Debut: Kylami, 1993 Wins: 1 Poles: 1 Fastest Laps: 2 Constructors’ Championships: 0

25

Race Guide

TORO ROSSO SEBASTIEN BUEMI Nationality: Swiss Wins: 0 DoB: 31/10/1988 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2009 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 GP2 Asia, 2nd 2007 F3 Euroseries, 2nd 2005 Formula BMW World Final Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

CHI

TUR

ESP

MON

CAN

EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

13

14

9

14

10

10

13

DNF

15

8

Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

12

12

JAIME ALGUERSUARI

SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO

Nationality: Spanish Wins: 0 DoB: 23/03/1990 Poles: 0 Debut: Budapest, 2009 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2008 British F3 Champion, 2nd 2007 Formula Renault Italia, 1st 2006 FR Italia Winter Series Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

CHI

TUR

ESP

MON

14 DNF 16 16 DNF

Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form

CAN

EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

8

8

10

12

10

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

DNF

13

26

THE BAGMAN’S SAY Toro Rosso’s well-trodden strategy of qualifying at the back of the Q2 pack before moving forward in the race armed with extra sets of new tyres worked spectacularly well last time out in Hungary - allowing both drivers to score points.

The plan will not work, however, if Spa’s traditional weather arrives on either Saturday or Sunday, leaving the poor cousins of Red Bull Racing in a potentially difficult position.

Although neither driver has scored points here previously, top 10 finishes aren’t out of the question.

Beating Force India and Sauber will be a difficult ask, however.

Chassis: Toro Rosso STR6 Engine: Ferrari 056 Base: Farenza, Italy Team nationality: Italian Team principal: Franz Tost Technical leader: Giorgio Ascanelli Debut: Bahrain, 2006 Wins: 1 Poles: 1 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

25 23

Race Guide

Round 9Round – Silverstone 2 – Malaysia

27

LOTUS HEIKKI KOVALAINEN Nationality: Finnish Wins: 1 DoB: 19/10/1981 Poles: 1 Debut: Albert Park, 2007 Fastest Laps: 2 Career Highlights: 1st 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix, 2nd 2005 GP2 Series, 1st 2004 World Series by Nissan Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

CHI

TUR

ESP

MON

CAN

EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

15

16

19

DNF

14

DNF

19

DNF

16

DNF

Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

8

10

6

16

TEAM LOTUS

JARNO TRULLI Wins: 1 Nationality: Italian Poles: 4 DoB: 13/07/1974 Fastest Laps: 1 Debut: Albert Park, 1997 Career Highlights: 1st 2004 Monaco Grand Prix, 1996 German F3 Champion, 2nd 1995 Macau Grand Prix Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

CHI

TUR

ESP

MON

DNF 19 18 18 13

Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form

CAN

EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

16

20

DNF

-

DNF

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

DNF

DNF

-

9

DNF

-

11

16

DNF

19

28

THE BAGMAN’S SAY Continuing to run off the pace of the established teams in dry conditions, a potentially weather affected Belgian Grand Prix provides both an opportunity and a concern for Team Lotus.

While a chaotic race could bring an uncharacteristically strong result, it could also provide its main rivals - HRT and Virgin - an opportunity to leapfrog the green squad in the Constructors’ Championship.

Jarno Trulli returned from his one-race hiatus in Hungary and claimed the new power steering system was a step forward. He’ll want to match his team-mate this weekend to cement his 2012 drive.

Chassis: Lotus T128 Engine: Renault RS27-2011 Base: Norfolk, UK Team nationality: Malaysian Team principal: Tony Fernandes Technical leader: Mike Gascoyne Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

Round 9 – Silverstone

Race Guide

Round 1 – Australia

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25

Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps Round 2 – Malaysia

HRT DANIEL RICCIARDO Nationality: Australian Wins: 0 DoB: 01/07/1989 Poles: 0 Debut: Silverstone, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2009 British Formula 3 Champion, 2nd 2010 Formula Renault 3.5 Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

CHI

TUR

ESP

MON

CAN

EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

19

19

18

Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

TONIO LIUZZI

HRT F1 TEAM

Wins: 0 Nationality: Italian Poles: 0 DoB: 06/08/1981 Fastest Laps: 0 Debut: Imola, 2005 Career Highlights: 3rd 2008/09 Speedcar Series, 2004 F3000 Champion, 2nd 2001 Formula Renault Germany

Chassis: HRT F111 Engine: Cosworth CA2011 Base: Madrid, Spain Team nationality: Spanish Team principal: Colin Kolles Technical leader: Tony Cuquerella Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

CHI

TUR

THE BAGMAN’S SAY Daniel Ricciardo continued to improve his qualifying and race pace in Hungary, and now heads to a circuit on which he has tasted success in Formula Renault, Formula 3 and Formula Renault 3.5.

Ricciardo last raced at Spa as recently as May (in FR3.5) escaping a nasty qualifying shunt at Eau Rouge.

The Australian will again look to out-qualify team-mate Tonio Liuzzi this weekend, having narrowly failed to do so in Hungary and Germany.

Both drivers will fancy their chances of out-pacing Virgin’s Jerome D’Ambrosio, as they did last time out.

ESP

MON

DNF 22 22 DNF 16

Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form

CAN

EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

13

23

18

DNF

20

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

12

-

10

31

Race Guide

Round 8 – Valencia

VIRGIN TIMO GLOCK Nationality: German Wins: 0 DoB: 18/03/1982 Poles: 0 Debut: Montreal, 2004 Fastest Laps: 1 Career Highlights: 2nd 2009 Singapore Grand Prix, 2007 GP2 Champion, 1st 2001 Formula BMW ADAC Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

CHI

TUR

ESP

MON CAN

EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

16

21

DNS

19

DNF

15

21

16

17

17

THE BAGMAN’S SAY There’ll be no shortage of attention on Jerome D’Ambrosio this weekend at Spa, with the 25-year-old Formula One rookie set to enjoy his first home Grand Prix.

The cars will once again struggle for speed, but a reliable run and sound strategy calls has the potential to provide Timo Glock with some reward for his efforts.

Out-qualifying the Hispania entries will be the first target.

Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

10

18

MARUSSIA VIRGIN RACING

JEROME D’AMBROSIO Nationality: Belgian Wins: 0 DoB: 27/12/1985 Poles: 0 Debut: Albert Park, 2011 Fastest Laps: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008/09 GP2 Asia Series, 1st 2007 International Formula Master, 1st 2003 FRenault Belgium Recent Grand Prix Form MAL

CHI

TUR

ESP

MON

DNF 20 20 20 15

Recent Spa-Francorchamps Form

CAN

EUR

GBR

GER

HUN

14

22

17

18

19

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

32

Chassis: MVR-02 Engine: Cosworth CA2011 Base: Dinnington, UK Team nationality: Russian Team principal: John Booth Technical leader: TBA Debut: Albert Park, 2010 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0 Constructors’ Championships: 0

27 29

Race Guide

22

RoundRound 8 – Valencia 2 – Malaysia

7

Race Guide

RECENT BELGIAN GP WINNERS Year Driver 2010 Lewis Hamilton 2009 Kimi Räikkönen 2008 Felipe Massa 2007 Kimi Räikkönen 2005 Kimi Räikkönen 2004 Kimi Räikkönen 2002 Michael Schumacher 2001 Michael Schumacher 2000 Mika Häkkinen 1999 David Coulthard 1998 Damon Hill 1997 Michael Schumacher 1996 Michael Schumacher 1995 Michael Schumacher 1994 Damon Hill 1993 Damon Hill 1992 Michael Schumacher 1991 Ayrton Senna 1990 Ayrton Senna 1989 Ayrton Senna 1988 Ayrton Senna 1987 Alain Prost 1986 Nigel Mansell 1985 Ayrton Senna 1984 Michele Alboreto 1983 Alain Prost 1982 John Watson 1981 Carlos Reutemann 1980 Didier Pironi 1979 Jody Scheckter 1978 Mario Andretti 1977 Gunnar Nilsson 1976 Niki Lauda 1975 Niki Lauda 1974 Emerson Fittipaldi 1973 Jackie Stewart 1972 Emerson Fittipaldi 1970 Pedro Rodríguez 1968 Bruce McLaren 1967 Dan Gurney 1966 John Surtees 1965 Jim Clark

34

Car McLaren-Mercedes Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari McLaren-Mercedes McLaren-Mercedes Ferrari Ferrari McLaren-Mercedes McLaren-Mercedes Jordan-Mugen-Honda Ferrari Ferrari Benetton-Renault Williams-Renault Williams-Renault Benetton-Ford McLaren-Honda McLaren-Honda McLaren-Honda McLaren-Honda McLaren-TAG Williams-Honda Lotus-Renault Ferrari Renault McLaren-Ford Williams-Ford Ligier-Ford Ferrari Lotus-Ford Lotus-Ford Ferrari Ferrari McLaren-Ford Tyrrell-Ford Lotus-Ford BRM McLaren-Ford Eagle-Weslake Ferrari Lotus-Climax

Location Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Zolder Spa-Francorchamps Zolder Zolder Zolder Zolder Zolder Zolder Zolder Zolder Nivelles Zolder Nivelles Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps

29 31

Race Guide

RoundRound 8 – Valencia 2 – Malaysia

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7

Race Guide

Round Round28––Malaysia Valencia

PAST CHAMPIONS Year Driver Nat Constructor Wins Poles Points 2010 Sebastian Vettel GER Red Bull 5 10 256 2009 Jenson Button GBR Brawn 6 4 95 2008 Lewis Hamilton GBR McLaren 5 7 98 2007 Kimi Räikkönen FIN Ferrari 6 3 110 2006 Fernando Alonso ESP Renault 7 6 134 2005 Fernando Alonso ESP Renault 7 6 133 2004 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 13 8 148 2003 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 6 5 93 2002 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 11 7 144 2001 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 9 11 123 2000 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 9 9 108 1999 Mika Häkkinen FIN McLaren 5 11 76 1998 Mika Häkkinen FIN McLaren 8 9 100 1997 Jacques Villeneuve CAN Williams 7 10 81 1996 Damon Hill GBR Williams 8 9 97 1995 Michael Schumacher GER Benetton 9 4 102 1994 Michael Schumacher GER Benetton 8 6 92 1993 Alain Prost FRA Williams 7 13 99 1992 Nigel Mansell GBR Williams 9 14 108 1991 Ayrton Senna BRA McLaren 7 8 96 1990 Ayrton Senna BRA McLaren 6 10 78 1989 Alain Prost FRA McLaren 4 2 76 1988 Ayrton Senna BRA McLaren 8 13 90 1987 Nelson Piquet BRA Williams 3 4 73 1986 Alain Prost FRA McLaren 4 1 72 1985 Alain Prost FRA McLaren 5 2 73 1984 Niki Lauda AUT McLaren 5 0 72 1983 Nelson Piquet BRA Brabham 3 1 59 1982 Keke Rosberg FIN Williams 1 1 44 1981 Nelson Piquet BRA Brabham 3 4 50

36

23 33

Race Guide

32

Race Guide

Round 8 – Valencia

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33 35

Race Guide Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps Round 2 – Malaysia

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP no

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Driver Sebastian Vettel Mark Webber Lewis Hamilton Fernando Alonso Jenson Button Felipe Massa Nico Rosberg Nick Heidfeld Vitaly Petrov Michael Schumacher Kamui Kobayashi Adrian Sutil Sébastien Buemi Jaime Alguersuari Sergio Perez Mendoza Paul di Resta Rubens Barrichello Pedro de la Rosa Jarno Trulli Vitantonio Liuzzi Pastor Maldonado Jérôme D’Ambrosio Heikki Kovalainen Timo Glock Narain Karthikeyan Daniel Ricciardo Karun Chandhok

Nat DEU AUS GBR ESP GBR BRA DEU DEU RUS DEU JPN DEU SUI ESP MEX GBR BRA ESP ITA ITA VEN BEL FIN DEU IND AUD IND

Car Red Bull Red Bull McLaren Ferrari McLaren Ferrari Mercedes Renault Renault Mercedes Sauber Force India Toro Rosso Toro Rosso Sauber Force India Williams Sauber Lotus HRT Williams Virgin Lotus Virgin HRT HRT Lotus

Points 234 149 146 145 134 70 48 34 32 32 27 18 12 10 8 8 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WORLD CONSTUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

36

Constructor Red Bull Racing Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team Lotus Renault GP Sauber F1 Team Force India F1 Team Scuderia Toro Rosso AT&T Williams Team Lotus HRT F1 Team Marussia Virgin Racing

Engine Renault Mercedes Ferrari Mercedes Renault Ferrari Mercedes Ferrari Cosworth Renault Cosworth Cosworth

Points 383 280 215 80 66 35 26 22 4 0 0 0

39

Race Guide

40

RoundRound 8 – Valencia 2 – Malaysia

23 37

Round 12 – Spa-Francorchamps Round 2 – Malaysia The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular on the modern Grand Prix calendar. Here, Mark Webber crests Raidillon during last year’s event.

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