SimHQ.com - Motorsports Zone - Preview: 2004 Belgium Grand Prix

The celebrations for winning the constructor's title this year in Hungary were rudely interrupted by allegations of collusion between the FIA and Ferrari. In truth there has always been an element of collusion between team and governing body. Even so the idea that Ferrari has had the finalized plans for next year for some months thanks to a senior conspiracy at the FIA seems a little hard to stomach. The current dominance by Ferrari may be appealing to a select few but when Italy is switching off Formula 1 in their hundreds of thousands it is clear that something needs to be done. In a recent poll commissioned by Autosport magazine it was abundantly clear that Ferrari's domination of the sport was hurting support and the general impression was that the best thing for the sport would be some sort of a consistent challenge to the team. It seems highly unlikely that Ferrari will not be streets ahead next year and support for the sport will surely suffer as a result.

M. Schumacher

To win his 7th world championship this weekend all Michael has to do is finish two points clear of his team mate Rubens Barrichello. Not surprisingly he is pretty happy about that! "Being in a position to win the title at this stage is the fruit of an unexpected and superb season. The important thing is to race well and whatever happens happens. I know that this will be one of the topics of conversation this weekend,however, I won't be approaching this race any differently than the others." Michael seems pretty unconcerned whether he wins the title this weekend or in two weeks at the Italian Grand Prix. "Both [circuits] have their attractions but the most important thing for me is to win the title; where I do it is secondary," Schumacher said though he was still mindful of his team mate's mathematical challenge. "Rubens still has a mathematical chance of winning and I take his challenge seriously. Until victory is secure, all the other factors are meaningless and so I don't even take them into consideration. A win is more than likely this weekend — it is expected.

Barrichello

OK there is a possibility that Rubens could take the championship this year. All he has to do is win every single race and Michael not score two more points this season! Even Rubens admits that there is no chance of this happening in the real world. “I am looking forward to returning to Spa as it is a fantastic circuit,” said Barrichello. “I hope they have just made a few modifications to some of the high speed sections in the interest of safety. Apart from that, driving there is a phenomenal sensation. I am sure we can have a good weekend as our car seems to go well at every type of track. But we will have to wait and see how the weekend develops. In Hungary, we had a tire that really made the difference in our favor, but Formula 1 technology never sleeps and there are so many people fighting for second place in the Constructors’ Championship, that I am sure they will be working hard to provide strong competition. We have to keep on working, even though the car is fantastic and seems to get better and better. Knowing what the weather can be like in this part of the world, we might even get the opportunity to see what our car is like in the wet. I am confident we have made progress with the whole package in this area, but we have not had the chance to find out yet this season, how we match up to the opposition. I hope we still have the advantage.”

BMW Williams F1 (Dark Blue and White with Compaq and Allianz graphics)

Pizzonia

"I have good memories of Spa," he says, referring to his four previous races there, "including Formula Renault, F3 and F3000. The best was definitely in 2000, when I became British F3 Champion, having finished the race in second place. I spent the week after the Hungarian Grand Prix at home in Monaco,” he continues, “training hard in preparation for this race. Spa is a very special place, so I can't wait to drive a Formula One car around it. However, he believes Spa has lost a little of its magic, particularly the legendary Eau Rouge corner, "I don't think Eau Rouge is as challenging as it used to be,” he admits, “because Formula One cars have so changed much. We have such a huge amount of downforce now, and the tires have improved so much, I think everyone pretty much goes flat out around it."

Montoya

"It's great to have the Belgian Grand Prix back on the calendar," he says. "I regard it as one of my favorite tracks, fast, challenging and very demanding on the drivers, it will be good to race again there. I have heard the last chicane is not as good as it was before, but we'll wait and see what it's like when we get there. With respect to our performance, our package has always worked pretty well at Spa and generally we have qualified near the front and had a couple of podium finishes. Our new aero package proved successful in Hungary,” he continues, “so we are now looking forward to going well in Belgium." However, the weather remains something of a question mark as rain has often influenced the Belgian Grand Prix. Juan Pablo is therefore hoping for a dry weekend, "We haven't had much wet running during Grand Prix weekends this season, but if there's one circuit where this could change, it's definitely Spa, and rain will be of little help to us."

West McLaren Mercedes (Grey with West graphics)

Martin Whitmarsh says, "Our performance was not at the required level in Hungary as a result of our tire choice. However we believe that Spa Francorchamps is a circuit that will play to the strengths of our current package. With its fast, sweeping characteristics it is very different in nature from the Hungaroring's tight and twisty feel. Spa is renowned for high rates of attrition and offers a long lap, with technical corners and a relatively low grip surface that sees us use a medium to low downforce configuration. The event has particular significance to the team, as it was at Spa in 1968 that founder Bruce McLaren took the first Formula One World Championship victory for the manqué. We don't agree with the changes that are being proposed," he said. "We understand why people want to make changes, but we think there are too many and it will be bad for F1." Whitmarsh added that the timescale of the proposed changes is unrealistic and will actually increase costs as teams struggle to ready their cars in time for the new season. "If you want to control costs in F1 you have to have new rules in good time — otherwise you have to respond and it costs more money," he said.

Coulthard

"The Belgian Grand Prix is a clear favorite for the drivers, teams and fans alike. It is an event packed with history, atmosphere, a legendary circuit, and it is great to be back. My victory here in 1999 is without a doubt a highlight of my career. In preparation for the race, some additional modifications have been made to the Bus Stop chicane, with safety in mind. The entry has moved to the right to allow for a larger run-off area, with some additional re-profiling to the second section of the chicane. This has traditionally been an overtaking opportunity, so it will be interesting to see if it has affected this in any way. It's a little bit disappointing," said Coulthard, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association. "Quite how we find ourselves in a situation where a track is changed without input from a current driver is very strange."

Raikkonen

"Of course Hungary was disappointing for me and the team, but you can't look backwards in motorsport and it only makes us more determined at the next event. I have only had the opportunity to race at Spa on two occasions during my career, and both times I enjoyed driving the circuit as its nature demands that you push the limits to the maximum, with certain corners such as Eau Rouge where you are completely flat out. The circuit is the ultimate test of driving and also the car, as it's very demanding and requires the maximum from every part of the car. The only downside is the unpredictable weather, it can start raining with no warning or it will be wet conditions on one side of the track and dry on the other, which can make for some interesting events."

Mild Seven Renault (Dark and Light Blue and Yellow with Mild Seven graphics)

From Pat Symonds, "2004 will see Formula 1 make a welcome return to Spa Francorchamps after a brief sabbatical. Spa is the classic road circuit, and presents challenges enjoyed by drivers, engineers and spectators alike. Getting close to perfection through the difficult, high-speed corners makes significant differences to the lap time, and gives a great feeling of satisfaction when we get it right. Of these corners, the most famous is of course Eau Rouge and over the years, this complex has perhaps created the biggest challenge in Grand Prix racing. When we consider the nature of this challenge, and how it has evolved over the years, it is interesting to see that just as it seems to be getting easier, a change to the cars can put the ball right back in the teams' court. Indeed, this is what we expect to happen for 2005. Speeds through the corner increased up until 1998 (peaking at 286 kph in 1997), when the introduction of grooved tires and narrow track cars brought a significant decrease in grip, and hence cornering speeds. From 1998 onwards, we see a steady increase in speeds once more, with a significant jump in 2001 as the tire competition begun the previous year got into full swing. An equally significant step was made in 2002, when not only did the tires develop further, but the corners where slightly realigned and also resurfaced, in the interests of safety. This led to the corner being easily flat in qualifying that year, although in the race it still required a small lift of the throttle through the corner. Having said that, even when taken flat, the high lateral accelerations and hence tire scrub, coupled with the steep rise in elevation, result in the car losing around 20 kph from entry to exit of the corners. From an engineering point of view, the corner is an important one as good speed through here provides an overtaking opportunity at the end of the straight. In order to negotiate the complex quickly, it is important to have the right level of grip, and hence an aerodynamic set-up that does not compromise the high straight-line speeds required (around 320 kph). In addition, the drivers need complete confidence in the car through this series of corners, and in order to achieve this it is necessary to have good high speed stability, and maybe even a touch of understeer. Finding this handling "sweet-spot" is not just a case of achieving the correct aero balance, as the dramatic elevation changes in the corner have severe effects on the suspension. The left hand part of the corner generates a lot of suspension compression, and the car goes light in the final part. It is necessary to ensure the car does not hit the ground hard in the compression, but also that during this phase, any nonlinear behavior in the suspension, such as the bump rubbers, do not produce a sudden change in handling as the car tries to bottom out. Equally, ride heights can vary by as much as 25 mm through the sequence. When choosing set-ups, just a couple of millimeters can make a significant difference to handling, and it is therefore obvious that the car needs aerodynamic characteristics that do not cause large movements in the center of pressure even when ride heights and pitch angles vary. If these factors are managed correctly, if the driver has the grip he expects, and if the grip and the balance of that grip remain constant through the corner, then the challenge becomes a much easier one. This year, we expect to negotiate Eau Rouge at approximately 310 kph, compared to 286 kph in 1997. Furthermore, with the progress in both car and tire design over the past two seasons, the corner should be taken flat out for much of, and perhaps all, the race. Next year, though, the situation will change once more, as it has done through recent F1 history. Just considering the losses from the aerodynamic changes that we will be accepting for 2005, we can expect the minimum speed through Eau Rouge to drop by over 20 kph (to 1997 levels), and indeed the top speed at the end of the straight will be 9 kph lower. The drivers will also be lifting off the throttle for around 0.4 seconds, a level similar to that which we saw in 2000. The challenge of taking Eau Rouge flat, superseded by advances in car and tire design since 2002, will return, and Spa will be all the more a true classic circuit for it."

Trulli

"Definitely — like I think every other driver is too. Through the lap, you need to be able to deal with every type of technical corner, and you can make up time in lots of places. As a driver, it really demands total concentration — but you also must find the rhythm of the circuit and plug into it. You need to be right on the limit over the entire lap, but you are talking about 1 minute 40 seconds here rather than one minute fifteen. And at Spa, that limit is just a little bit harder to find than at more normal tracks. I think it is a circuit that really shows a driver's true potential. Earlier in the year we seemed to struggle at the high speed circuits like Malaysia, but we have made good progress with the car since then. When we last came here in 2002, we were on course for points finishes in the race until retiring, and I think the circuit can suit the R24. Of course, choosing the tires will be crucial, so Friday will be an important day to get a good understanding of how they will work on the long runs. But if we perform to our maximum, then we should be competitive around Spa. I haven't scored points in the last three races, so my first priority will be to get the car to the finish and add to my championship total. I am still pushing 100% for myself and the team to try and consolidate my position in the championship, and also to help Renault to second place in the constructors' race. I had an excellent first half of the season, and I want to get that run of form back again for the last five races. That would be a good way to round off a very successful season for me."

Alonso

"I was happy with the result in Hungary, and indeed all the results since Magny-Cours. I have not had any mechanical failures in the races, I have not made mistakes and things are going as we expected now. We are around the podium at every race, and sometimes we make it, sometimes not, but we are pushing in all areas. Looking to Spa, I don't think we go there as confident as we were before Hungary, but we have seen this year that our feelings about a weekend can change as it progresses. It will be a tough challenge to get on the podium in Spa, but it doesn't hold any fear for us. The team is working well and the car is quick, so we just need to perform to our maximum all weekend. The circuit is different to any other, it has a different character, and as drivers we need to step up to its challenge. It is very difficult to have a car that is perfect in all areas around Spa, because the lap is so long, so you need to be pragmatic and try and feel confident with the car. We focus on the high speed balance, and getting the car stable in the quick corners, while making sure it is not too bad in the slower sections. After that, you need to do laps and gain confidence to push more and more from a driver point of view. (Regarding Eau Rouge)You come into the corner downhill, have a sudden change at the bottom and then go very steep uphill. From the cockpit, you cannot see the exit and as you come over the crest, you don't know where you will land. It is a crucial corner for the timed lap, and also in the race, because you have a long uphill straight afterwards where you can lose a lot of time if you make a mistake. But it is also an important corner for the driver's feeling. It makes a special impression every lap, because you also have a compression in your body as you go through the bottom of the corner. It is very strange, but good fun as well."

BAR Honda (White with Red Lucky Strike roundels)

From David Richards, "The team did an excellent job in difficult circumstances in Hungary two weeks ago, and demonstrated an incredible level of professionalism," he said, "Everyone is very motivated by our strength relative to the immediate competition and, with the resumption of testing after Spa, the hard work continues to maintain the momentum we have shown throughout the season. With five races still remaining, there is a great deal to play for."

Button
"I am excited about returning to race at Spa," Button admitted, "The circuit has a lot of history and I think it is every Formula One driver's favorite track. It has great high speed corners and a complex of good slow speed corners as well. Although Ferrari has won the constructors, the competition is still strong for the remaining places in the championship. I am looking forward to the race and to hopefully gaining some more all important points for the team."

Sato

"I am really looking forward to Spa because it is such a great circuit to drive with a fast car," Taku explained, "The track is very dynamic and suits F1 cars perfectly. Also, I have a lot of good memories of Spa from my previous Formula Three races there, and it is great to see it back on the F1 calendar. After Hockenheim and Hungary, where our pace was back up to where it should be, I am hoping and expecting us to have another strong performance in Spa."

Sauber Petronas (Mid Blue with a yellow airbox, white nose and front wing with Credit Suisse Red Bull and Petronas graphics)

Willy Rampf, Technical Director “Spa Francorchamps has a large variety of corners and is such a high- speed circuit; that is what makes it great and why it poses a big challenge not only to the drivers but also to the engineers. On the one hand you have the La Source hairpin, at the start of the lap. This is taken at only 60 kph. But then you have corners such as Blanchimont, on the final leg, which is taken at more than 300 kph. Between these two, complicating this compromise further, there is Eau Rouge at the bottom of the fast downhill plunge from La Source. It is a very demanding corner and requires complete commitment from the driver. But the car must also have excellent handling balance. The problem of Eau Rouge is not just that it is taken flat-out by some drivers, but also that the car bottoms out as it reaches the lowest part of the corner just prior to the dramatic uphill sweep at Raidillion. Despite this remarkable difference in maximum and minimum speeds the overall lap speed average is around 230 kph in qualifying, and cars may see as much as 350 kph in places. This is why the mechanical and aerodynamic set-up must take into account the absolute need for stability in the very fast and medium-speed corners, and also the need for mechanical traction to deal with the slower parts of the course such as the Bus Stop Chicane, which has been slightly relocated this year, and La Source. We will run a bespoke, medium-downforce aerodynamic package for Spa, developed from the set-up we used in Montreal but incorporating all of the important steps we have taken since then. Finally, you also have to take into account the notoriously fickle weather conditions in the Hautes Fagnes region, which can completely upset all of your careful calculations.”

Fisichella

“Spa is, of course, one of my favorite circuits, and I think my style suits it very well. I love the variety; it has lots of different kinds of corner, and the best is Eau Rouge. That is very difficult to take flat. In qualifying it usually is, though not always, and this year that will depend on the weight of fuel you decide to carry. I was second there on my debut in 1997, to Michael, and third with the Renault in 2001, and I believe that there is a chance on this circuit for the driver’s talent to make a difference. That makes it a very satisfying track on which to drive. I’m really happy that it is back on the calendar, because it is a more complete circuit than any other.”

Massa

“I raced at Spa in 2002, which was the first time I ever went there. It’s a fabulous circuit! I’m so happy that it’s back. For sure it’s been changed just a little since I was last there, but the very quick corners remain the same. You don’t run too much downforce so the car feels like it is dancing. You really know you are a racing driver when you are there. I have never raced anywhere that is better. In 2002 here I was running seventh and then had an engine problem, but it was one of my best races. I think we can be strong. The C23 has very good speed and there are characteristics that Spa shares with Silverstone. If you look at our performance at Silverstone this should work in our favor. Eau Rouge is of course the best corner for me anywhere in the world, and it should be flat... although it wasn’t for us in 2002.”

Jaguar (Green with HSBC graphics)

From David Pitchforth, “With only five races to go before the end of the season we have been focusing very hard on making the most of our R5 package and fine tuning the car to ensure that we can capitalize on any points opportunities. We enjoyed a good reliable weekend in Hungary but we need to be scoring points as well as finishing the race. Mark, Christian and Bjorn were all at the factory here in Milton Keynes last week and they seem more motivated then ever and very committed to scoring some points for the team. The R5 continues to have a competitive pace on track and we are pleased with the good relationships that we have with our tire partners, Michelin and of course our engine provider, Cosworth Racing. Michelin continue to provide us with strong tire compounds and the engine has proved its reliability over recent races. Looking ahead to this weekend in Spa I am excited about seeing the car on track at this remarkable and exciting circuit. I know that all three drivers know this track and enjoy it so I am sure that we are going to see some fast times and also a strong competitive race on Sunday."

Webber

“It’s really good to be heading back to Spa for the next race. This circuit has so much history and it’s a track that I enjoy racing at. I have raced there many times before in lots of different formula, from Ford, F3, F3000 and F1. I was first there in an F1 car with Minardi in 2002. It’s an amazing circuit and the speeds are incredible making driving an F1 car fantastic. I think that the speeds we will be reaching this year will be even greater than in the past and this will surely make watching it for the spectators something special. The weather at this track plays a big part in the weekend and can really keep you busy with your tire and strategy decisions. Being within the mountains means that we can start the day with a wet track and two hours later it’s hot and dry. Choice of tires are as always crucial to our overall race weekend so we will be spending a lot of time on Friday getting to grips with these. I understand that they have slightly modified the Bus-stop chicane so it will be interesting to see if this slows us down a bit. I am looking forward to the Eau Rouge corner in particular, it’s so fast and that’s what makes driving an F1 car through it so much fun."

Klein

“I have raced at Spa before so this is really good for me going into this race weekend. I was actually there with the Formula Renault European Championship two years ago and I loved it. I remember it well and I am really keen to get back out there and try it in a Formula One car. The track is really challenging and the thing that I think will strike me most are the speeds that we will be reaching in the R5. Not only has it got very high-speed corners, but the track itself if very long at just over 6km. In order for me to understand the track as much as possible before I arrive there I am spending time with my engineers in Milton Keynes and try to see as much data as possible. Since the track is also going to be quite physically demanding I have been training in London with the team physio. Being prepared both physically and mentally is crucial to getting the most out of the car over the weekend. We need some points this weekend and I would love to score my first ones here."

Panasonic Toyota (Red and White with Toyota and Panasonic logo graphics)

Tsutomu Tomita, Team Principal says, "We introduced our TF104B car at the German GP two races ago and we also implemented driver and personnel changes for the last event in Hungary, but I really think that Spa will be best place to really assess the performance of these recent revisions to the whole Toyota package. Belgium is also the home of Toyota Motor Corporation's European headquarters, so we will benefit from the additional support of many Toyota family guests. With five races remaining of the 2004 season, we will do our best to score points. I am confident that this trend will begin at Spa."

Panis

"Ricardo and I had a good day with the team in Cologne last weekend, participating in the Toyota City Grand Prix, where I drove the TF103 and Ricardo took the TF104 through the streets of Cologne. It was an incredible atmosphere and a nice opportunity to give something back to the fans for all their support. We now enter the Belgian Grand Prix, which I hope will mark a turnaround of fortunes for Toyota. It's no secret that I think Spa is the best track on the F1 calendar. I believe that the circuit's long, fast nature should suit our TF104B and play to the strengths of our RVX-04 engine. It also means that there are quite a few different strategies that work around Spa, so it should make for an exciting race weekend."

Zonta

"Like many F1 drivers, I find Spa Francorchamps one of the most challenging and enjoyable circuits on the calendar. At almost seven kilometers in length, it easily produces the longest lap of the year, one filled with many technically demanding sections. Spa really highlights the strengths and weaknesses of all drivers and cars. I think our TF104B package will adapt itself well to the medium-high speed track characteristics and I hope we will have a good chance of scoring some points this weekend. Spa is unique and one of the few circuits that are difficult to replicate at test sessions, especially tire wear. As a result, Friday's practice sessions will be very important, but after a difficult race debut in Hungary, I am much more relaxed and ready to show what we can do in Belgium."

Jordan (Yellow with BandH graphics)

Eddie Jordan says, "It's superb to be going to Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix, I think everybody really missed it last year and we are really excited about returning there for some exciting racing," he said. "It looks likely that Michael Schumacher will win his seventh Drivers' Championship here, which, if it happens, will be fitting as he had his F1 debut at this track with us thirteen years ago, and he won his first Grand Prix here the following year. This is a real 'drivers' track, which sorts the men from the boys and requires total commitment and confidence. We have great memories of this venue as a team, but this year we have to focus on our current challenge. We have made progress with our package during the season and will work as hard as we can to make the most of the last few races. Our teamwork has paid off before and I'm hoping that with hard work and a little bit of Spa luck, we will get a decent result.

From James Robinson, "It's fantastic to be back at this circuit after missing out in 2003, as it is probably the ultimate drivers' circuit on the Formula One calendar, one of the only remaining high speed, high ‘g', ‘on the edge' tracks," he continued "The weather is both a trial and an opportunity - it can change at any time from dry to wet and you can benefit if you are ready. The race promises to be exciting — we expect overtaking and we expect to see the weather play a part. The bus stop section has been modified and we have heard reports from those who have raced there already that the change has removed an overtaking opportunity but we will have to wait and see if that is the case with F1 — hopefully not. We return to a medium downforce set-up, which we have not used since Canada, where we were more competitive. Spa can be a little bit about luck, with the weather and if anything unusual happens, but at Jordan we have historically been good at strategy calls so we are looking forward to the challenge."

Heidfeld

"Coming back to Spa is great for me and all the drivers because it is one of my favorite circuits," he stated. "I'm looking forward to it even more than usual because we had a break for one year. I enjoy driving there and I also like it that the weather is usually changeable as it makes the show better and interesting. You never know what's going to happen when you arrive in Spa."

Pantano
"I am very excited that F1 is going back to the Belgian Grand Prix," he noted. "For me, it is the best circuit in the world. To be back there in a Formula One car will be just fantastic."

Minardi Cosworth (Black, white sides and rear wing)

"Obviously, we struggled a little bit for race pace, but on the positive side, our reliability is shining through," Stoddart said after the last race. "At the moment, given the current budgetary constraints, that’s the best we can expect. This lack of pace is likely to carry over to next year and is something that concerns Paul. "We haven't got a clue what the regulations are going to be, and I think it's devastating for the small teams. We are not preparing and getting ready to build a new car simply because we cannot afford to make a wrong choice. I would like to think that if we are going to be so late coming up with agreement on what it is we are building cars to next year, then some consideration is given to small teams to give us a fighting chance."

Bruni

The fiddly nature of the track in Hungary seemed to suit Bruni and he had several fighting laps enjoying a far higher running order than is usual after the coming together between Zonta's Toyota, the Jordans and the Jaguars. Of course this was just a false dawn and before the first stops Bruni was back with Baumgartner again. Having comprehensively failed to set the world alight in his time at Minardi he will at least be hoping to show some of his copious driving skill in taking Eau Rouge and Blanchimont in a car that clearly isn't up to it. A crash could be coming his way!

Baumgartner

It still amazes me how popular Formula one has become around the world. Although most people have no idea who Zsolt Baumgartner is, much less what he looks like, in Hungary he face was plastered on everything from mineral water to insurance advertising! Unfortunately this did not have a positive effect on his driving and Zsolt still drove around at the tail of the pack for the afternoon. This weekend will be Zsolt's first taste of Spa and it will be interesting to see what he makes of it. Unlike Bruni Baumgartner is not likely to overstep the mark and he may well bring home a lucky point if the rainy weather forecast and Spa's fickle nature play into the team's hands.

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