Friday at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix brought intense excitement and action at the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, with two practice sessions that set an intriguing stage for the rest of the weekend. First Practice Session In the first practice session, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing stood out by recording the fastest time of 1m43.372s. The Dutch driver showcased his skill by leading the session, despite being scheduled for a 10-place grid penalty due to an engine change. Right behind him, Oscar Piastri of McLaren delivered a solid performance, finishing second with 1m43.903s, highlighting McLaren’s strength at Spa. Alex Albon of Williams surprised by securing the third position with 1m44.099s, surpassing drivers from traditional teams. Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and fifth, respectively, indicating that the German team is also competitive. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were in sixth and ninth places, showing that Scuderia has good pace but still needs more to challenge the leaders. The first session highlighted a competitive landscape, with several teams vying for the best times. Second Practice Session The second practice session brought a change at the top of the timesheets. Lando Norris of McLaren achieved the best time of 1m42.260s, followed by his teammate Oscar Piastri with 1m42.475s. This performance solidified McLaren as one of the leading forces of the weekend. Max Verstappen, although unable to replicate his first session lead, still had a notable performance by finishing third with 1m42.477s. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz ended up in fourth and fifth places, respectively, showing that the Italian team is well-positioned for the race. Mercedes had a mixed performance, with George Russell finishing sixth and Lewis Hamilton in tenth, which might indicate that the team needs to fine-tune some aspects to improve competitiveness. Analysis and Expectations The practice results show a fierce battle between McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari, with McLaren displaying impressive form. Despite the anticipated grid penalty, Verstappen remains a strong contender, while Ferrari and Mercedes are working to optimize their cars for better performance. With variable weather conditions expected for qualifying and the race, teams will need to adapt quickly to secure a good grid position. The weekend promises to be thrilling, with several teams in the hunt for victory at the challenging Spa-Francorchamps Circuit.
Alpine Eyes External Power Unit as Famin Moves Roles
Alpine is undergoing a significant restructuring, and one of the most notable changes is the departure of Bruno Famin from the role of Team Principal, a position he held for just 12 months. With this transition, Alpine is exploring new strategies, including the possibility of opting for an external power unit supply. Luca de Meo, CEO of the Renault Group – which owns the Alpine brand – has brought Flavio Briatore back as an executive advisor to guide the team through this period of transformation. Alpine has ambitious goals and aims to return to the top of the grid, a goal that seemed within reach after a strong performance in 2022 but has faced challenges recently, including the departure of senior staff and a drop in performance. With Famin’s departure, announced during a press conference at the Belgian Grand Prix, Alpine is considering a significant strategic shift. Famin explained that the team is exploring the possibility of reallocating resources from their F1 engine development in Viry, France, to other areas of the Alpine business, such as road cars, hydrogen powertrains, or other motorsport projects, including the World Endurance Championship. Current discussions are focused on the possibility of Alpine acquiring power units from external suppliers for the 2026 season. Mercedes is one of the main options being considered, and Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, has already expressed openness to supplying engines to a new team in 2026, replacing Aston Martin, which will switch to Honda engines from that season. The decision to seek an external engine supplier is part of a larger effort to optimize resources and ensure that Alpine can compete at the highest level with the best available resources. The team hopes that by switching to an externally supplied power unit, they can focus more resources and investments on developing new products and technologies for the brand. The study for this potential change is a complex process involving many stakeholders, including Renault executives, trade unions, and local authorities. While still in the evaluation phase, Alpine is committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for its employees, ensuring job continuity for everyone involved. With these changes, Alpine aims not only to improve its performance in F1 but also to position itself better for the future, leveraging available resources and exploring new technological and market opportunities. The restructuring and potential move to an external engine supplier are crucial steps in achieving these ambitious goals and turning around the team’s current situation.
Alpine Eyes External Power Unit as Famin Moves Roles
Alpine is undergoing a significant restructuring, and one of the most notable changes is the departure of Bruno Famin from the role of Team Principal, a position he held for just 12 months. With this transition, Alpine is exploring new strategies, including the possibility of opting for an external power unit supply. Luca de Meo, CEO of the Renault Group – which owns the Alpine brand – has brought Flavio Briatore back as an executive advisor to guide the team through this period of transformation. Alpine has ambitious goals and aims to return to the top of the grid, a goal that seemed within reach after a strong performance in 2022 but has faced challenges recently, including the departure of senior staff and a drop in performance. With Famin’s departure, announced during a press conference at the Belgian Grand Prix, Alpine is considering a significant strategic shift. Famin explained that the team is exploring the possibility of reallocating resources from their F1 engine development in Viry, France, to other areas of the Alpine business, such as road cars, hydrogen powertrains, or other motorsport projects, including the World Endurance Championship. Current discussions are focused on the possibility of Alpine acquiring power units from external suppliers for the 2026 season. Mercedes is one of the main options being considered, and Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, has already expressed openness to supplying engines to a new team in 2026, replacing Aston Martin, which will switch to Honda engines from that season. The decision to seek an external engine supplier is part of a larger effort to optimize resources and ensure that Alpine can compete at the highest level with the best available resources. The team hopes that by switching to an externally supplied power unit, they can focus more resources and investments on developing new products and technologies for the brand. The study for this potential change is a complex process involving many stakeholders, including Renault executives, trade unions, and local authorities. While still in the evaluation phase, Alpine is committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for its employees, ensuring job continuity for everyone involved. With these changes, Alpine aims not only to improve its performance in F1 but also to position itself better for the future, leveraging available resources and exploring new technological and market opportunities. The restructuring and potential move to an external engine supplier are crucial steps in achieving these ambitious goals and turning around the team’s current situation.
Mercedes Running Cameras for FIA Flexi-Wing Checks
Mercedes is among the teams selected by the FIA to use cameras on their cars during the Belgian Grand Prix as part of the video analysis of flexible front wings. This measure is part of an ongoing investigation to understand how teams are managing the flexibility of their front wings, a crucial aspect for aerodynamic performance in Formula 1. The FIA, F1’s governing body, has decided to equip the cars of several teams with special 4k video cameras mounted on the front noses to monitor wing flexing at Spa-Francorchamps. The goal is to collect data that could influence future regulations and ensure compliance with current deflection rules. Mercedes Among the Selected Teams Mercedes confirmed that it is among the teams using these cameras this weekend. Andrew Shovlin, the team’s trackside engineering director, stated that Mercedes is not concerned about the flexibility of their front wings, noting that all car parts are designed to pass the FIA’s deflection tests. “They are installed on the W15 here in Belgium. We’re not concerned about flexibility because, like any part of the car subject to a deflection test, it’s designed to pass the test,” said Shovlin. “This activity is about data collection. I think they’re trying to understand what the entire grid is doing in terms of stiffness and flexibility on track. We’ll help with that, we’ll collect the data, and we’ll see what’s next. But we’re not worried about the regulations.” Checks Across the Grid In addition to Mercedes, teams such as Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Haas are also using the cameras for these checks. The FIA emphasized that these checks are not aimed at cracking down on current team practices but rather at better understanding front wing flexibility under race conditions, with the aim of adjusting regulations for 2025 and beyond. An FIA spokesperson explained to Motorsport: “The FIA has decided, starting from Belgium and for an indefinite period, to measure the overall front wing deformation on track. The forward-facing cameras provided by FOM unfortunately cannot capture the entire front wing, as a large outboard section is not covered by the angle.” Future Regulations The ultimate goal of these checks is to gain a deeper understanding of the flexibility of F1 car bodywork under aerodynamic load. This will allow the FIA to develop more precise and effective regulations for the future, promoting a more competitive and safe sport. Detailed data collection through these cameras will help the FIA assess the rigidity and flexibility of front wings in real race conditions. This collaborative effort between the FIA and F1 teams like Mercedes aims to ensure that all technological innovations comply with the rules and contribute to the sport’s integrity and fairness. With Mercedes and other major teams playing an active role in this process, the expectation is that future regulations will result in a more balanced and fair competition, ensuring exciting and safe races for drivers and F1 fans alike.
Bagnaia: “Stronger Than Marquez, We’ll See Next Year”
Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez will form one of the most impressive rider duos in MotoGP in 2025. The inevitable comparison with the iconic duo Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi at Yamaha naturally arises, but what is coming could be even more exciting. Currently, both riders are racing on different Ducati machines, but next year, they will be together on the GP25, promising a season full of rivalry and spectacle. In 2024, Bagnaia has stood out compared to Marquez, who has yet to win a race this season, surprising many fans and experts. The expectation was that Marquez, with his talent and experience, would quickly dominate the Ducati, but the reality has been different. Bagnaia recently commented to Paddock-gp: “Now I am stronger than Marc. So we will see, people’s expectations of him were certainly very different.” Bagnaia has been cautious in his statements, preferring to let his performance on the track speak for itself. “We work in silence, we stay silent and… the track speaks. Because I have never had the habit of making judgments before seeing the work. We said that Marc with the Ducati was going to win, now we say that he does not have the same bike. Next year we will see.” The prospect of Marquez not being able to win a race so far has been a surprise for many. The eight-time world champion has shown impressive performances on some occasions, but has lacked consistency to convert that into victories. However, the season is not over yet, and many believe he can still turn things around. For Bagnaia, the key to surpassing Marquez is to stay focused and have fun. “What will be, we will see, I have to have fun and do my best, we know what our potential is and that by doing everything well… I know perfectly well that my strength is being able to detect the situation. In my opinion, we currently have very few opponents.” The combination of Bagnaia and Marquez in the same Ducati team promises to be explosive. Both have the ambition to fight for the title and the ability to constantly challenge each other. Marquez, looking to reassert himself as a constant threat, will have to face a confident and in-form Bagnaia. For MotoGP fans, 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable season. The rivalry between Bagnaia and Marquez, now teammates, will add an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to the races. Expectations are high, and everyone is eager to see how this dynamic will unfold on the track. In the end, Bagnaia is confident in his potential and in the strength of his team, while Marquez will be determined to prove his worth and regain his leading position. The only certainty is that the 2025 season will be a must-watch spectacle for all MotoGP enthusiasts.
Bagnaia: “Stronger Than Marquez, We’ll See Next Year”
Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez will form one of the most impressive rider duos in MotoGP in 2025. The inevitable comparison with the iconic duo Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi at Yamaha naturally arises, but what is coming could be even more exciting. Currently, both riders are racing on different Ducati machines, but next year, they will be together on the GP25, promising a season full of rivalry and spectacle. In 2024, Bagnaia has stood out compared to Marquez, who has yet to win a race this season, surprising many fans and experts. The expectation was that Marquez, with his talent and experience, would quickly dominate the Ducati, but the reality has been different. Bagnaia recently commented to Paddock-gp: “Now I am stronger than Marc. So we will see, people’s expectations of him were certainly very different.” Bagnaia has been cautious in his statements, preferring to let his performance on the track speak for itself. “We work in silence, we stay silent and… the track speaks. Because I have never had the habit of making judgments before seeing the work. We said that Marc with the Ducati was going to win, now we say that he does not have the same bike. Next year we will see.” The prospect of Marquez not being able to win a race so far has been a surprise for many. The eight-time world champion has shown impressive performances on some occasions, but has lacked consistency to convert that into victories. However, the season is not over yet, and many believe he can still turn things around. For Bagnaia, the key to surpassing Marquez is to stay focused and have fun. “What will be, we will see, I have to have fun and do my best, we know what our potential is and that by doing everything well… I know perfectly well that my strength is being able to detect the situation. In my opinion, we currently have very few opponents.” The combination of Bagnaia and Marquez in the same Ducati team promises to be explosive. Both have the ambition to fight for the title and the ability to constantly challenge each other. Marquez, looking to reassert himself as a constant threat, will have to face a confident and in-form Bagnaia. For MotoGP fans, 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable season. The rivalry between Bagnaia and Marquez, now teammates, will add an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to the races. Expectations are high, and everyone is eager to see how this dynamic will unfold on the track. In the end, Bagnaia is confident in his potential and in the strength of his team, while Marquez will be determined to prove his worth and regain his leading position. The only certainty is that the 2025 season will be a must-watch spectacle for all MotoGP enthusiasts.
