Nathan Hughes

As expected practice did not give us a true idea of who will be where for Sunday’s race, but did as expected confirm where this weekends race is likely to won and lost. With reduced temperatures, only 18 degrees compared to the stifling 35 degrees we had last weekend in Valencia, the emphasis is going to be on getting heat into the tyres. Couple that with the constant threat of a sprinkling of the wet stuff, and that tells us that we are once again in for a fascinating weekend at Spa.

The low temperatures together with Spa’s fast corners and flowing nature should play into the hands of Red Bull. If you look at the other races this year where temperatures have been low, Silverstone, Nurburgring and in the wet in China, Red Bull have won the lot. However, Christian Horner’s men must surely now have major concerns over engines after Vettel blew two in Valencia. He now has just two engines left to last 6 races, with the brutal Monza and high speed Suzuka still to come. Will they feel the need to turn down the revs on Sunday? I guess that depends on where Brawn are.

As for the Championship leaders, they would appear face the biggest challenge with tyre temperature this weekend. Ross Brawn has spoken openly about the problems they face getting the tyres up to temperature. It seems that in order for them to get sufficient heat they have to compromise with in-balances on the car. If there is one thing you don’t need on a 4.3 mile track, travelling flat out through Eau Rouge, it’s a car stepping out on you. If the temperatures stay as they are, then it’s hard to see Brawn challenging for the win.

As for the others, McLaren have raised their game substantially, but have not gone well on the high speed circuits this year. However, they have yet to race the modified version of the car on such a track until this weekend. With Lewis Hamilton the fastest man today, expect another strong weekend for them again. Williams and Ferrari (well Raikkonen at least) appeared to be the best of the rest in Valencia but may face strong competition from Renault and Toyota this weekend. As for Luca Badoer, he is once again painfully slow and rumours have been circulating the paddock that Giancarlo Fisichella may be given the nod for Monza. An Italian in a Ferrari at Monza would be perfect PR, and quite frankly if Badoer were this slow at the brutal Monza, it could actually be quite dangerous.

All in all, a fascinating weekend in store, watch this space for more updates.