SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS is easily one of the most beloved tracks in the world in any racing series. Situated in the Ardennes forest the Eau Rouge and Raidillon, though flat in modern F1, remains one of the most legendary corner combinations in the world.
The layout of sector one, characterised by the flat-out climb up the hill, demands a low downforce setup to avoid being a sitting duck on the Kemmel strait.
But a compromise is required for the middle sector of the lap, which is littered with medium and high-speed corners including Pouhon, the challenging double left-hander. The final sector is another blast on full power around the back strait and Blanchimont.
Often teams can choose to opt for either a high or low downforce setup, dependent on the aerodynamic efficiency of the car and how big the trade off in terms of lap time.
A low downforce setup may allow for an increased top end speed in sectors one and three but will mean less grip and stability for sector two. It is likely that Ferrari, and those that they supply engines to, will have to opt for a low downforce setup in order to compensate for the lack of power being produced by their engine.
Setup choices may well take on a new complexity for this weekend’s race around Spa as the weather forecast predicts rain for the entire weekend. In particular, Sunday’s forecast sees a 70% chance of rain. If it does somehow remain dry tyre wear and overheating is hardly a major headache around this circuit.
The middle sector may impose periods of sustained load on the tyres, which increases tyre temperatures. However, long straits in sectors one and three allow for cooling and regulation of said temperatures. The wet weather might allow Ferrari somewhat into the picture, but it remains unlikely that the red team will be troubling the sharp-end of the race on pure pace.
At Alfa Romeo, Kimi Raikkonen has failed to score a single point in 2020. There’s no doubt that the Ferrari engine power loss has affected the team, but it isn’t the only area in which the Italian team has been lacking.
Nevertheless, the drought of points finishes hasn’t doused Raikkonen’s motivation who had shown a good turn of pace in Spain two weeks ago. It’s nearly impossible to think of Spa without reminiscing on Raikkonen’s four wins around the famed circuit.
In 2004 and 2005, he dominated as a young McLaren driver and cemented his place as one of the quickest drivers in F1. He won again in 2007 on the way to his world championship title and in 2009 miraculously put an off the pace Ferrari on the top step of the podium. It is a venue classified as the driver’s circuit so it comes as no surprise then that Raikkonen has been one of the most successful drivers here. With rumours continually swirling that he may hang up his helmet at the end of 2020 it would be rather fitting if his last race at Spa were to be a memorable one.
Mercedes automatically go into the race weekend as the team to beat. But Red Bull and Max Verstappen should not be discounted by any means. And if the weather does come in, it may be even more of a lottery.
