Nathan Hughes

Bizarre. I am still getting over the shock of Saturday qualifying, and like Jonathan Legard, I also feel the need to say ‘Giancarlo Fisichella on pole for Force India’ twice. It was a totally stunning performance and an amazing lap from the veteran Italian, almost as though he is trying to impress Ferrari.

Whilst I sat waiting for the fuel loads of the top 10 to be declared, I couldn’t help but think that Fisi must barely have enough fuel to get out of the garage, but then when the fuel loads were released, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was not the case.

Ok, he is not the heaviest of them all; pitting on lap 10 barring Safety Car’s, but his pole was by no means a red herring. When all added up, the fuel loads show Fisi was fourth fastest, behind Jarno Trulli, Nick Heidfield and Sebastian Vettel.

So what of tomorrow’s race, well the simply answer is ‘who knows’. After today’s qualifying it may very well be a case of expect the unexpected. Toyota may never have a better chance of winning their first Grand Prix, and neither may ‘Quick’ Nick Heidfield, who always goes well at Spa. Vettel, although not pitting till lap 16 may have his race hampered by being stuck behind slower cars at the start and Barrichello, stopping on only lap 9 seemingly has little chance in the ailing Brawn.

The man to watch for me though is one Kimi Raikkonen. With his KERS boosted Ferrari, he is sure to get a good sling shot into Eau Rouge and he will hope to pass several cars on the long blast to Les Combes. Couple that with a possible strategic masterclass from the Scuderia and the Flying Fin will have a real chance of victory at a circuit at which he excels.

As for the clan at the back, which feature two chaps named Button and Hamilton, they may have to resort in hoping for carnage on the opening lap, or several cars dropping off in the race, either due to the lack of grip or mechanical issues. One man who won’t be challenging barring a nuclear blast taking out all the other cars, is Luca Badoer, painfully slow, again.

Fascinating race in store, don’t take your eyes off it for a minute.