Belgian GP: Race - Re-Cap & Results

BELGIAN GP - RACE - RE-CAP & RESULTS

    Lewis Hamilton took another victory on Sunday at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. He fought hard to hold of Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel in the final laps and was able to make it a weekend to remember. 

    Sauber's day got off to a completely unlucky start when Pascal Wehrlein was forced to retire on lap 3 with suspension damage. His team-mate, Ericsson, finished the race last. Sauber currently stand 10th in the constructors standings with a total of 5 points.

    Max Verstappen was the next retiree, only 5 laps later. Verstappen's car slowed to a stop and the crowd was clearly disappointed, as was Verstappen himself. Being Half Dutch/Half Belgian, the Red Bull driver considered this his home race and it was not how he had wanted his day to go.

    More feisty racing between the Force India duo caused drama on and off track. Perez and Ocon made contact more than once throughout the race. In the beginning of the race, Perez collided with his younger team-mate, and then the two came together again at the end of the race. They both suffered damage to their cars, with Perez retiring from the race with only 2 laps to go. Ocon was able to finish the race in 9th and grab 2 points.

    Ocon wasn't the only one who Perez ran into trouble with either. The Force India driver angered Grosjean as he passed him but left the track when doing so. Perez was slapped with a 5-Second-Time-Penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. He was also given 1 penalty point to his license.

    Kimi Raikkonen was another driver to receive punishment. After failing to slow sufficiently under double-waved yellow flags, the Ferrari driver was given a 10-Second-Stop-Go-Penalty and 3 penalty points to his license. He finished the race in 4th, just 2 places behind Vettel.

    Stoffel Vandoorne, who had an unlucky start to his home-race weekend, with that 65-Place-Grid-Penalty for multiple engine component changes, was able to turn things around and safely bring his McLaren-Honda across the finish line. It may not have been in the points, but finishing the race was victory enough. The same couldn't be said for his team-mate. Alonso's retired on lap 26 due to an engine issue.

    With Hamilton taking the win and Vettel close behind in second, it was Daniel Ricciardo who completed the podium. Raikkonen, Bottas, Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Massa, Ocon and Sainz also scored points in the race.

RESULTS:

1. Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes-Mercedes / Great Britain / + 25 Points

2. Sebastian Vettel / Ferrari-Ferrari / Germany / + 18 Points

3. Daniel Ricciardo / Red Bull-TAG-Heuer / Australia / + 15 Points

4. Kimi Raikkonen / Ferrari-Ferrari / Finland / + 12 Points

5. Valtteri Bottas / Mercedes-Mercedes / Finland / + 10 Points

6. Nico Hulkenberg / Renault-Renault / Germany / + 8 Points

7. Romain Grosjean / Haas-Ferrari / France / + 6 Points

8. Felipe Massa / Williams-Mercedes / Brazil / + 4 Points

9. Esteban Ocon / Force India-Mercedes / France / + 2 Points

10. Carlos Sainz / Toro Rosso-Renault / Spain / + 1 Point

11. Lance Stroll / Williams-Mercedes / Canada

12. Daniil Kvyat / Toro Rosso-Renault / Russia

13. Jolyon Palmer / Renault-Renault / Great Britain

14. Stoffel Vandoorne / McLaren-Honda / Belgium

15. Kevin Magnussen / Haas-Ferrari / Denmark

16. Marcus Ericsson / Sauber-Ferrari / Sweden

RETIRED - Sergio Perez / Force India-Mercedes / Mexico / Collision Damage*

RETIRED - Fernando Alonso / McLaren-Honda / Spain / Engine

RETIRED - Max Verstappen / Red Bull-TAG-Heuer / Netherlands / Engine

RETIRED - Pascal Wehrlein / Sauber-Ferrari / Germany / Suspension

* - Notes Sergio Perez retired on Lap 43 but qualified as finishing the race as he had completed over 90% of the race distance.

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

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Formula 2 - BELGIUM - Sprint Race - Results

FORMULA 2 - SPRINT RACE - RESULTS - BELGIUM

1. Sergio Sette Camara / MP Motorsport / Brazil / + 15 Points

2. Nyck de Vries / Racing Engineering / Netherlands / + 12 Points + 2 Points (FL)*

3. Luca Ghiotto / RUSSIAN TIME / Italy / + 10 Points

4. Norman Nato / Pertamina Arden / France / + 8 Points

5. Charles Leclerc / PREMA Racing / Monaco / + 6 Points

6. Roberto Merhi / Rapax / Spain / + 4 Points**

7. Antonio Fuoco / PREMA Racing / Italy / + 2 Points

8. Oliver Rowland / DAMS / Great Britain / + 1 Point

9. Nicholas Latifi / DAMS / Canada

10. Santino Ferrucci / Trident / USA***

11. Gustav Malja / Racing Engineering / Sweden

12. Louis Deletraz / Rapax / Switzerland*

13. Ralph Boschung / Campos Racing / Switzerland

14. Jordan King / MP Motorsport / Great Britain

15. Nabil Jeffri / Trident / Malaysia

16. Robert Visoiu / Campos Racing / Romania

17. Sean Gelael / Pertamina Arden / Indonesia

18. Alexander Albon / ART Grand Prix / Thailand

RETIRED - Nobuharu Matsushita / ART Grand Prix / Japan / Crash

RETIRED - Artem Markelov / RUSSIAN TIME / Russia / Mechanical Issue

* - Notes Nyck de Vries and Louis Deletraz are switching teams as of the Belgian GP weekend, for the rest of the 2017 season.

** - Notes Merhi is replacing Canamasas at Rapax for the Belgian GP Weekend.

*** - Notes Ferrucci is driving for Trident for the rest of the 2017 season.

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

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GP3 - BELGIUM - Sprint Race - Results

GP3 - SPRINT RACE - RESULTS - BELGIUM

1. Giuliano Alesi / Trident / France / + 15 Points

2. George Russell / ART Grand Prix / Great Britain / + 12 Points + 2 Points (FL)

3. Ryan Tveter / Trident / USA / + 10 Points

4. Nirei Fukuzumi / ART Grand Prix / Japan / + 8 Points

5. Julien Falchero / Campos Racing / France / + 6 Points

6. Arjun Maini / Jenzer Motorsport / India / + 4 Points

7. Anthoine Hubert / ART Grand Prix / France / + 2 Points

8. Kevin Joerg / Trident / Switzerland / + 1 Point

9. Niko Kari / Arden International / Finland

10. Raoul Hyman / Campos Racing / South Africa

11. Leonardo Pulcini / Arden International / Italy

12. Steijn Schothorst / Arden International / Netherlands

13. Tatiana Calderon / DAMS / Columbia

14. Alessio Lorandi / Jenzer Motorsport / Italy

15. Matthieu Vaxiviere / DAMS / France

16. Bruno Baptista / DAMS / Brazil

17. Dorian Boccolacci / Trident / France

18. Jack Aitken / ART Grand Prix / Great Britain* / RETIRED - Car Damage + Puncture

RETIRED - Marcos Siebert / Campos Racing / Argentina / Mechanical Issue

RETIRED - Juan Manuel Correa / Jenzer Motorsport / USA / Engine Failure**

* - Notes Aitken qualified as finished as he completed over 90% of the race distance

** - Notes Correa is joining Jenzer Motorsport for the remainder of the 2017 season

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

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GP3 - BELGIUM - Feature Race - Results

GP3 - FEATURE RACE - RESULTS - BELGIUM

1. George Russell / ART Grand Prix / Great Britain / + 25 Points + 4 Points (Pole) + 2 Points (FL)

2. Jack Aitken / ART Grand Prix / Great Britain / + 18 Points
3. Nirei Fukuzumi / ART Grand Prix / Japan / + 15 Points

4. Arjun Maini / Jenzer Motorsport / India / + 12 Points
5. Dorian Boccolacci / Trident / France / + 10 Points
6. Ryan Tveter / Trident / USA / + 8 Point
7. Giuliano Alesi / Trident / France / + 6 Points
8. Julien Falchero / Campos Racing / France / + 4 Points
9. Niko Kari / Arden International / Finland / + 2 Points
10. Kevin Joerg / Trident / Switzerland / + 1 Point
11. Leonardo Pulcini / Arden International / Italy
12. Alessio Lorandi / Jenzer Motorsport / Italy
13. Steijn Schothorst / Arden International / Netherlands
14. Raoul Hyman / Campos Racing / South Africa
15. Juan Manuel Correa / Jenzer Motorsport / USA*
16. Tatiana Calderon / DAMS / Columbia

RETIRED - Marcos Siebert / Campos Racing / Argentina / Suspension
RETIRED - Matthieu Vaxiviere / DAMS / France / Car Damage
RETIRED - Anthoine Hubert / ART Grand Prix / France / Retired
RETIRED - Bruno Baptista / DAMS / Brazil / Collision Damage

* - Notes Correa is joining Jenzer Motorsport for the remainder of the 2017 season.

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk
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Formula 2 - BELGIUM - Feature Race - Results

FORMULA 2 - FEATURE RACE - RESULTS - BELGIUM

1. Artem Markelov / RUSSIAN TIME / Russia / + 25 Points + 2 Points (FL)

2. Luca Ghiotto / RUSSIAN TIME / Italy / + 18 Points

3. Antonio Fuoco / PREMA Racing / Italy / + 15 Points

4. Gustav Malja / Racing Engineering / Sweden / + 12 Points

5. Nyck de Vries / Racing Engineering / Netherlands / + 10 Points*

6. Sergio Sette Camara / MP Motorsport / Brazil / + 8 Points

7. Roberto Merhi / Rapax / Spain / + 6 Points**

8. Norman Nato / Pertamina Arden / France / + 4 Points

9. Santino Ferrucci / Trident / USA / + 2 Points***

10. Robert Visoiu / Campos Racing / Romania / + 1 Point

11. Nabil Jeffri / Trident / Malaysia

12. Alexander Albon / ART Grand Prix / Thailand

13. Ralph Boschung / Campos Racing / Switzerland

14. Louis Deletraz / Rapax / Switzerland*

15. Sean Gelael / Pertamina Arden / Indonesia

16. Nobuharu Matsushita / ART Grand Prix / Japan

RETIRED - Jordan King / MP Motorsport / Great Britain / Puncture

DID NOT START - Nicholas Latifi / DAMS / Canada / Engine Failure

DISQUALIFIED - Oliver Rowland / DAMS / Great Britain / Failed post-race scrutineering

DISQUALIFIED - Charles Leclerc / PREMA Racing / Monaco / Failed post-race scrutineering / + 4 Points (Pole)

* - Notes Nyck de Vries and Louis Deletraz are switching teams as of the Belgian GP Weekend, for the rest of the 2017 season.

** - Notes Merhi is replacing Canamasas at Rapax for the Belgian GP Weekend.

*** - Notes Ferrucci is driving for Trident for the rest of the 2017 season.

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended

Belgian GP: Qualifying - Re-Cap & Results

BELGIAN GP - QUALIFYING - RE-CAP & RESULTS

    Lewis Hamilton took his 68th pole position in Qualifying and equaled Michael Schumacher for most F1 Pole Positions. While Hamilton basked in the joy and emotion, other drivers were grimacing over penalties. 

    Stoffel Vandoorne, who was looking forward to his first F1 home race, got slapped with a 65-Place-Grid-Penalty for multiple engine component changes. Other drivers were handed penalties for unscheduled gearbox changes and Massa was stuck with a 5-Place-Grid-Penalty for failing to slow under yellow flags.

HOW IT WORKS:

Q1 = 18 minutes. All cars allowed to go out. At the end of the session, the five slowest are eliminated.

Q2 = 15 minutes. The remaining cars go out. At the end of the session, the five slowest are eliminated.

Q3 = 12 minutes. Final 10 cars go out. The final order at the end of the session is how the grid will line up. Fastest car starts from Pole Position.

GRID LINE-UP

1. Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes-Mercedes / Great Britain

2. Sebastian Vettel / Ferrari-Ferrari / Germany

3. Valtteri Bottas / Mercedes-Mercedes / Finland

4. Kimi Raikkonen / Ferrari-Ferrari / Finland

5. Max Verstappen / Red Bull-TAG-Heuer / Netherlands

6. Daniel Ricciardo / Red Bull-TAG-Heuer / Australia

7. Nico Hulkenberg / Renault-Renault / Germany

8. Sergio Perez / Force India-Mercedes / Mexico

9. Esteban Ocon / Force India-Mercedes / France

10. Fernando Alonso / McLaren-Honda / Spain

11. Romain Grosjean / Haas-Ferrari / France

12. Kevin Magnussen / Haas-Ferrari / Denmark

13. Carlos Sainz / Toro Rosso-Renault / Spain

14. Jolyon Palmer / Renault-Renault / Great Britain*

15. Lance Stroll / Williams-Mercedes / Canada

16. Felipe Massa / Williams-Mercedes / Brazil**

17. Marcus Ericsson / Sauber-Ferrari / Sweden*

18. Pascal Wehrlein / Sauber-Ferrari / Germany*

19. Daniil Kvyat / Toro Rosso-Renault / Russia***

20. Stoffel Vandoorne / McLaren-Honda / Belgium****

* - (Palmer, Ericsson & Wehrlein) 5-Place-Grid-Penalty each for unscheduled gearbox changes

** - (Massa) 5-Place-Grid-Penalty for failing to slow under yellow flags in FP#3

*** - (Kvyat) 20-Place-Grid-Penalty for multiple engine component changes

**** - (Vandoorne) 65-Place-Grid-Penalty for multiple engine component changes

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

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Belgian GP: Free Practice #3 - Re-Cap & Times

BELGIAN GP - FREE PRACTICE #3 - RE-CAP & TIMES

    In the final practice session of the Belgian GP Weekend, it was both Ferrari drivers topping the time sheets. Kimi Raikkon soared to the top with a 1:43.916 whilst Vettel finished just behind in second with a 1:44.113. Hamilton, Verstappen and Bottas rounded up the top 5.

    Daniil Kvyat suffered from an engine fire and loss of power during the session, causing his Toro Rosso to stop on track. He finished down in 18th with a final lap time of 1:47.903. Team-mate, Sainz, finished in 9th with a 1:45.942.

    Felipe Massa, who missed the Hungarian GP due to vertigo, was put under investigation for failing to slow under yellow flags during the session. He later received a 5-Place-Grid-Penalty as punishment. The Brazilian finished the session in 16th, just behind his younger team-mate, Lance Stroll.

TIMES:

1. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:43.916 / Ferrari-Ferrari / Finland

2. Sebastian Vettel - 1:44.113 / Ferrari-Ferrari / Germany

3. Lewis Hamilton - 1:44.114 / Mercedes-Mercedes / Great Britain

4. Max Verstappen - 1:45.034 / Red Bull-TAG-Heuer / Netherlands

5. Valtteri Bottas - 1:45.230 / Mercedes-Mercedes / Finland

6. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:45.286 / Red Bull-TAG-Heuer / Australia

7. Jolyon Palmer - 1:45.491 / Renault-Renault / Great Britain

8. Sergio Perez - 1:45.857 / Force India-Mercedes / Mexico

9. Carlos Sainz - 1:45.942 / Toro Rosso-Renault / Spain

10. Fernando Alonso - 1:46.060 / McLaren-Honda / Spain

11. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:46.064 / Renault-Renault / Germany

12. Esteban Ocon - 1:46.179 / Force India-Mercedes / France

13. Romain Grosjean - 1:46.196 / Haas-Ferrari / France

14. Stoffel Vandoorne - 1:46.300 / McLaren-Honda / Belgium

15. Lance Stroll - 1:46.620 / Williams-Mercedes / Canada

16. Felipe Massa - 1:46.667 / Williams-Mercedes / Brazil

17. Kevin Magnussen - 1:46.690 / Haas-Ferrari / Denmark

18. Daniil Kvyat - 1:47.903 / Toro Rosso-Renault / Russia

19. Pascal Wehrlein - 1:48.296 / Sauber-Ferrari / Germany

20. Marcus Ericsson - 1:48.300 / Sauber-Ferrari / Sweden

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

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Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @Bethonie_Boost 

GP3 - BELGIUM - Qualifying - Results

GP3 - QUALIFYING - RESULTS - BELGIUM

1. George Russell / ART Grand Prix / Great Britain

2. Nirei Fukuzumi / ART Grand Prix / Japan

3. Arjun Maini / Jenzer Motorsport / India

4. Jack Aitken / ART Grand Prix / Great Britain

5. Matthieu Vaxiviere / DAMS / France

6. Dorian Boccolacci / Trident / France

7. Ryan Tveter / Trident / USA

8. Steijn Schothorst / Arden International / Netherlands

9. Julien Falchero / Campos Racing / France

10. Tatiana Calderon / DAMS / Columbia

11. Alessio Lorandi / Jenzer Motorssport / Italy

12. Giuliano Alesi / Trident / France

13. Kevin Joerg / Trident / Switzerland

14. Marcos Siebert / Campos Racing / Argentina

15. Leonardo Pulcini / Arden International / Italy

16. Niko Kari / Arden International / Finland

17. Anthoine Hubert / ART Grand Prix / France

18. Raoul Hyman / Campos Racing / South Africa

19. Bruno Baptista / DAMS / Brazil

20. Juan Manuel Correa / Jenzer Motorsport / USA*

* - Notes Correa is joining Jenzer Motorsport for the remainder of the 2017 Season.

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended

Formula 2 - BELGIUM - Qualifying - Results

FORMULA 2 - QUALIFYING - RESULTS - BELGIUM

1. Charles Leclerc / PREMA Racing / Monaco

2. Nicholas Latifi / DAMS / Canada

3. Oliver Rowland / DAMS / Great Britain

4. Gustav Malja / Racing Engineering / Sweden

5. Antonio Fuoco / PREMA Racing / Italy

6. Nyck de Vries / Racing Engineering / Netherlands*

7. Luca Ghiotto / RUSSIAN TIME / Italy

8. Roberto Merhi / Rapax / Spain**

9. Artem Markelov / RUSSIAN TIME / Russia

10. Alexander Albon / ART Grand Prix / Thailand

11. Sergio Sette Camara / MP Motorsport / Brazil

12. Santino Ferrucci / Trident / USA***

13. Louis Deletraz / Rapax / Switzerland*

14. Ralph Boschung / Campos Racing / Switzerland

15. Nobuharu Matsushita / ART Grand Prix / Japan

16. Jordan King / MP Motorsport / Great Britain

17. Robert Visoiu / Campos Racing / Romania

18. Norman Nato / Pertamina Arden / France

19. Sean Gelael / Pertamina Arden / Indonesia

20. Nabil Jeffri / Trident / Malaysia

* - Notes Nyck de Vries and Louis Deletraz are switching teams as of the Belgian GP Weekend, for the rest of the 2017 season.

** - Notes Merhi is replacing Canamasas at Rapax for the Belgian GP Weekend.

*** - Notes Ferrucci is driving for Trident for the rest of the 2017 season.

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended

Belgian GP: Free Practice #2 - Re-Cap & Times

BELGIAN GP - FREE PRACTICE #2 - RE-CAP & TIMES

    Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton topped the times in a rain distrupted second free practice ahead of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix.

    Hamilton lowered the benchmark to just 1m44.753s, three tenths of a second faster than FP1 pace sitter Kimi Raikkonen.

    Raikkonen jumped up from fifth to second midway through the session before spinning through Raidillon, but he was able to continue.

    Valtteri Bottas finished third, ahead of Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel, who managed a big moment early in the session. He lost the back end of his Ferrari but was able to retake control and ran into the run off. He topped the times early before dropping down the order.

    Rain ended the session early. 20 minutes before the end of the day everyone came into the pits as the track became too wet for slick tyres. Fernando Alonso ventured out with intermediate tyres but soon returned to the pits. He finished the trouble free session 11th.

    Daniel Ricciardo could only manage sixth. Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz, and Jolyon Palmer completed the top 10.

    Sergio Perez finished half a second slower than team-mate Ocon in 12th.

    Romain Grosjean, Stoffel Vandoorne, and Daniil Kvyat finished 13th through to 16th.

    Kevin Magnussen and Lance Stroll finished ahead of the Saubers Marcus Ericsson and Pascal Wehrlein.

    Felipe Massa was unable to take part in the second practice after his crash in FP1 required the team to change the chassis.

TIMES:

1. Lewis Hamilton - 1:44.753 / Mercedes-Mercedes / Great Britain
2. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:45.015 / Ferrari-Ferrari / Finland
3. Valtteri Bottas - 1:45.180 / Mercedes-Mercedes / Finland
4. Max Verstappen - 1:45.225 / Red Bull-TAG-Heuer / Netherlands
5. Sebastian Vettel - 1:45.235 / Ferrari-Ferrari / Germany
6. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:46.072 / Red Bull-TAG-Heuer / Australia
7. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:46.441 / Renault-Renault / Germany
8. Esteban Ocon - 1:46.473 / Force India-Mercedes / France
9. Carlos Sainz - 1:46.561 / Toro Rosso-Renault / Spain
10. Jolyon Palmer - 1:46.670 / Renault-Renault / Great Britain
11. Fernando Alonso - 1:46.743 / McLaren-Honda / Spain
12. Sergio Perez - 1:46.984 / Force India-Mercedes / Mexico
13. Romain Grosjean - 1:47.285 / Haas-Ferrari / France
14. Stoffel Vandoorne - 1:47.303 / McLaren-Honda / Belgium
15. Daniil Kvyat - 1:47.450 / Toro Rosso-Renault / Russia
16. Kevin Magnussen - 1:47.556 / Haas-Ferrari / Denmark
17. Lance Stroll - 1:47.861 / Williams-Mercedes / Canada
18. Marcus Ericsson - 1:49.214 / Sauber-Ferrari / Sweden
19. Pascal Wehrlein - 1:49.725 / Sauber-Ferrari / Germany
20. Felipe Massa - NO TIME SET / Williams-Mercedes / Brazil

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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
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Formula 2 - BELGIUM - Free Practice - Times

FORMULA 2 - FREE PRACTICE - TIMES - BELGIUM

1. Charles Leclerc - 1:57.681 / PREMA Racing / Monaco

2. Antonio Fuoco - 1:57.819 / PREMA Racing / Italy

3. Oliver Rowland - 1:58.015 / DAMS / Great Britain

4. Artem Markelov - 1:58.184 / RUSSIAN TIME / Russia

5. Ralph Boschung - 1:58.421 / Campos Racing / Switzerland

6. Norman Nato - 1:58.425 / Pertamina Arden / France

7. Nyck de Vries - 1:58.469 / Racing Engineering / Netherlands*

8. Sean Gelael - 1:58.565 / Pertamina Arden / Indonesia

9. Gustav Malja - 1:58.596 / Racing Engineering / Sweden

10. Nicholas Latifi - 1:58.603 / DAMS / Canada

11. Sergio Sette Camara - 1:58.607 / MP Motorsport / Brazil

12. Alexander Albon - 1:58.675 / ART Grand Prix / Thailand

13. Luca Ghiotto - 1:58.677 / RUSSIAN TIME / Italy

14. Nobuharu Matsushita - 1:58.767 / ART Grand Prix / Japan

15. Louis Deletraz - 1:58.788 / Rapax / Switzerland*

16. Robert Visoiu - 1:58.805 / Campos Racing / Romania

17. Santino Ferrucci - 1:58.811 / Trident / USA**

18. Jordan King - 1:58.881 / MP Motorsport / Great Britain

19. Nabil Jeffri - 1:59.408 / Trident / Malaysia

20. Roberto Merhi - 1:59.586 / Rapax / Spain***

* - Notes Nyck de Vries and Louis Deletraz are switching teams as of the Belgian GP Weekend, for the rest of the 2017 season.

** - Notes Ferrucci is driving for Trident for the rest of the 2017 season.

*** - Notes Merhi is replacing Canamasas at Rapax for the Belgian GP Weekend.

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended

Belgian GP: Free Practice #1 - Re-Cap & Times

BELGIAN GP - FREE PRACTICE #1 - RE-CAP & TIMES

    Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen topped the times in the first free practice session ahead of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix.

    Raikkonen left it late to set the 1m45.502s on ultra-soft tyres that put him ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in the timings, crossing the line with only five minutes left on the clock. The Finn, who recently resigned with Ferrari for 2018, spent most of the session in the pits and completed only 13 laps.

    Team-mate Sebastian Vettel also spent a long time in the pits, setting his fastest lap late in the session. He couldn’t match Raikkonen’s pace, though, and ended the 90 minute session third fastest.

    Hamilton split the two Ferrari with a time just five hundredths of a second faster than Raikkonen. He set his time on soft tyres – one of the harder compounds this weekend – early in the session. He later strapped on ultra-soft tyres, but couldn’t put a lap time together to beat Raikkonen’s time.

    The session was red flagged only 18 minutes in when Williams’ Felipe Massa ran into a barrier after losing the car on the kerb, ending his session.

    He wasn’t the only man to touch the barriers. Former team-mate Valtteri Bottas ran through the gravel after moving out of the way for a driver on a flying lap. He brushed the barriers, but was able to continue to return to the pits, where he stayed for the remainder of the session. He finished sixth fastest, behind Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.

    There was trouble again for Fernando Alonso. Five minutes into the session, he complained that there was no power coming from his Honda engine. He returned to the pits where McLaren solved the problem, and was able to get back out to finish 13th. Team-mate and home favourite Stoffel Vandoorne managed 10th.

    Carlos Sainz, Esteban Ocon, and Daniil Kvyat finished seventh to ninth.

    Jolyon Palmer in 11th was a tenth of a second faster than team-mate Nico Hulkenberg, who took 12th.

    Sergio Perez was 14th, ahead of Lance Stroll, Kevin Magnussen, and Romain Grosjean.

    The Saubers of Marcus Ericsson and Pascal Wehrlein were slowest of the drivers to set a lap time.

TIMES:

1. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:45.502 / Ferrari-Ferrari / Finland
2. Lewis Hamilton - 1:45.555 / Mercedes-Mercedes / Great Britain
3. Sebastian Vettel - 1:45.647 / Ferrari-Ferrari / Germany
4. Max Verstappen - 1:46.302 / Red Bull-TAG-Heuer / Netherlands
5. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:46.352 / Red Bull-TAG-Heuer / Australia
6. Valtteri Bottas - 1:46.424 / Mercedes-Mercedes / Finland
7. Carlos Sainz - 1:47.446 / Toro Rosso-Renault / Spain
8. Esteban Ocon - 1:47.670 / Force India-Mercedes / France
9. Daniil Kvyat - 1:47.851 / Toro Rosso-Renault / Russia
10. Stoffel Vandoorne - 1:47.865 / McLaren-Honda / Belgium
11. Jolyon Palmer - 1:47.930 / Renault-Renault / Great Britain
12. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:48.037 / Renault-Renault / Germany
13. Fernando Alonso - 1:48.252 / McLaren-Honda / Spain
14. Sergio Perez - 1:48.452 / Force India-Mercedes / Mexico
15. Lance Stroll - 1:48.541 / Williams-Mercedes / Canada
16. Kevin Magnussen - 1:48.615 / Haas-Ferrari / Denmark
17. Romain Grosjean - 1:48.626 / Haas-Ferrari / France
18. Marcus Ericsson - 1:50.160 / Sauber-Ferrari / Sweden
19. Pascal Wehrlein - 1:51.263 / Sauber-Ferrari / Germany
20. Felipe Massa - NO TIME SET / Williams-Mercedes / Brazil

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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
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GP3 - BELGIUM - Free Practice - Times

GP3 - FREE PRACTICE - TIMES - BELGIUM

1. Dorian Boccolacci - 2:06.163 / Trident / France

2. Tatiana Calderon - 2:06.568 / DAMS / Columbia

3. Kevin Joerg - 2:06.569 / Trident / Switzerland

4. Leonardo Pulcini - 2:06.610 / Arden International / Italy

5. Matthieu Vaxiviere - 2:06.791 / DAMS / France

6. Ryan Tveter - 2:07.067 / Trident / USA

7. Marcos Siebert - 2:07.099 / Campos Racing / Argentina

8. Raoul Hyman - 2:07.103 / Campos Racing / South Africa

9. Juan Manuel Correa - 2:07.189 / Jenzer Motorsport / USA*

10. Alessio Lorandi - 2:07.237 / Jenzer Motorsport / Italy

11. Julien Falchero - 2:07.470 / Campos Racing / France

12. Bruno Baptista - 2:07.865 / DAMS / Brazil

13. Jack Aitken - 2:07.915 / ART Grand Prix / Great Britain

14. George Russell - 2:08.009 / ART Grand Prix / Great Britain

15. Nirei Fukuzumi - 2:08.124 / ART Grand Prix / Japan

16. Anthoine Hubert - 2:08.283 / ART Grand Prix / France

17. Arjun Maini - 2:08.517 / Jenzer Motorsport / India

18. Giuliano Alesi - 2:08.743 / Trident / France

19. Steijn Schothorst - 2:09.254 / Arden International / Netherlands

20. Niko Kari - 2:09.330 / Arden International / Finland

* - Notes Correa is joining Jenzer Motorsport for the remainder of the 2017 Season.

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

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Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Toro Rosso

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO F1 TEAM

Daniil Kvyat - “Spa-Francorchamps is a legendary track and one I really look forward to racing at every year! It's definitely one of my favourites and I think every driver likes it a lot… It's just impossible not to! It's a great circuit with big history. The first thing that comes to mind when you think of this track is the legendary corner of Eau Rouge but I have to say that, in a way, every single corner there is special and unique.

    It's also the longest circuit on the F1 calendar and a very flowing one, which makes it a very enjoyable experience. This is the only circuit where we do the track walk on a scooter, because it's too long to walk a lap of it! Another interesting thing about this circuit is that it's so big that it can be raining in one part but dry at another, so it can make racing very interesting and you need to be ready for everything! It's also interesting and fun to race there because of the slipstream – it's easy to find a tow at some point during the lap and this can become very useful at times, especially during qualifying.”

Carlos Sainz - “I really like racing in Spa because it's a track that has a bit of everything. It has very long straights where good overtaking can take place, but also very nice corners – Sector 2 in particular is very nice and flowing. It's tough to find a compromise regarding the balance of the car and the set-up for the long straights and Sector 2, but I enjoy the challenge.

    There's a corner there that's maybe not as famous as some of the others, but that I like a lot and it's one of the toughest. When you say Spa, everyone always thinks of Eau Rouge, but actually one of the most difficult corners in the world is Pouhon – we drive there at around 260km/h, in seventh gear, and it's a turn to always keep in mind!

    Spa is one of my favourite tracks but, strangely enough, I've never finished an F1 race there…! I think the race in 2016 was even more frustrating than the one in 2015 because I had done one of my best first laps of my life – I started from P15 and I was P7 after lap 1 – but I suddenly got a puncture in the middle of the straight due to carbon fibre pieces… So unlucky! I remember being so motivated and suddenly all the highs of that first lap disappeared… I was quite annoyed. Third time lucky, they say…

    I remember that last year it was very warm during the race weekend, warmer than in Spain, so it was quite a special weekend, difficult to sleep at night because of the heat! We were in Belgium but it suddenly felt that we were somewhere in Spain, enjoying the summer!

    On the way to the track we drive past many bars and restaurants where you always see people enjoying some moules, waffles or fried chips… It makes you want to join them, but during the race weekend I can't ever do that… Maybe this year I can try and get away with it and have a cheat meal there!”

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Article Posted By: Amy Hawk
No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers
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Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Renault

DRIVER PREVIEW QUOTES - RENAULT SPORT FORMULA ONE TEAM

Nico Hulkenberg - “It’s one of my favourite tracks and certainly up there with the best in the world. The forest there is amazing and the track itself sits in some outstanding scenery. It features a lot of elevation and of course, it has Eau Rouge. When you see these bends in real life it’s special but when you drive them, especially in a Formula 1 car, it’s super special. Eau Rouge is going to be flat which is exciting and Pouhon too will be good and extremely fast.

    There are many corners and it’s the longest lap on the calendar which makes a good balance very important. It’s about putting those sectors together and being on top in every corner, that will give you a good lap time and that’s the key challenge of Spa. I like the middle-sector in particular. It’s quite busy, flows quite well and is just fun to drive. Spa is known for its strange and random weather, so we have to make it count whether it’s wet or dry.”

Jolyon Palmer - “The first thing that hits you is Eau Rouge, it’s just incredible. You see it on TV, or on the on-boards, and it looks awesome but to drive it is simply immense. Nothing prepares you for heading flat out down the hill and then coming up the other side and down that straight. Pouhon will be an exciting corner this year, it brings a real challenge as it’s a very quick double apex left. 

    Blanchimont is flat and leads into the Bus Stop chicane, which is a great overtaking place. I won a race in Spa back in 2008 in the Formula Palmer Audi series. I remember it was wet – which is fairly typical for Spa! I’ve been on the podium in GP2 there but missed the win in that class. I was on the front row in 2014 in GP2 and had a decent F1 qualifying last year. I’ve had some good memories but I’m driven to make some more.”

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Article Posted By: Amy Hawk

No copyright infringement intended - Quotes belong to Drivers

Follow us on Twitter @F1Insider78 & @Bethonie_Boost