F1 2011 Belgian GP

[Bartek S.]

Circuit length: 4.35 miles (7.001 km)
Number of laps: 44
Race length: 191.415 miles (308.052 km)
Joined F1 calendar: 1950
Previous winner: Mark Webber
Previous polesitter: Lewis Hamilton, 1:49.069
Lap record: 1:45.108 (Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, 2004)

Renault driver Nick Heidfeld could be replaced by Bruno Senna as soon as this weekend

Nick Heidfeld's future with the Renault team is in doubt, amid speculation that the outfit is looking at slotting in Bruno Senna from this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

On the back of a campaign that has not lived up to pre-season expectations, and with the team having admitted that it expected more from Heidfeld, it is believed that moves have been underway over the last few days to shake up the driver line-up.

Although Renault declined to comment on the Heidfeld/Senna situation when contacted on Monday night, it is understood that the team has actively been looking at promoting Senna to a race seat from this weekend's event at Spa-Francorchamps, having given him a Friday run in Hungary.

BBC pundit Eddie Jordan, who has close links to Heidfeld after he drove for his team in F1, reported on Monday night that the deal was in place for Senna to take Heidfeld's seat for the remainder of the season.

However, AUTOSPORT understands that the plans are complicated by the fact that Heidfeld is not willing to simply walk away - with the German aware that there are few opportunities elsewhere for him in F1 if he leaves Renault now.

Heidfeld will also know that the Belgian GP gives him a good chance of delivering the kind of result that he and the team have been looking for, with new aerodynamic updates set to be introduced.

The German told AUTOSPORT after the Hungarian GP that the Belgian package was a key one for the season.

"I feel it finally has to work because we have been saying for some races now that we understand the problem, and that we have moved forward," he said. "This will be the first time that we really have something big."

It is not clear if Heidfeld’s contract with the team gives it the option to drop him at this point of the campaign - especially as he is currently eighth in the drivers’ championship on 34 points, one place and two points ahead of his team-mate Vitaly Petrov.

It is understood that negotiations are ongoing between Heidfeld and Renault about the situation, with the matter possibly only being resolved on the eve of the Belgian event itself.

Heidfeld was drafted in to Renault shortly before the start of the season as replacement for the injured Robert Kubica, and he delivered a podium finish as early as the second race in Malaysia.
However, he has not stamped his authority on the team as much as it had hoped and, although his form in the races has been good, he has often struggled to deliver speed in qualifying.

Speaking about Heidfeld’s form earlier this year, Renault boss Eric Boullier said: "Let's say good, but not good enough.

"Sunday is okay. Sunday's pace is good, it is very good, but obviously the higher we qualify on the grid, the better the chance we have to score more points."

 

[Monster]

It is time to give someone else a proper opportunity to test their skills, Heidfeld had his chances and he has shown himself to be a good solid drive, but he is just not quite fast enough to be a top tier driver.

 

[Bartek S.]

Ayrton Senna, Lotus 98T, leads Nigel Mansell, Williams FW11, Formula One World Championship, Rd2, Spanish GP, Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. 11-13 April 1986.

Ayrton Senna, Lotus 98T, leads the start of the race, Formula One World Championship, Rd8, French GP, Paul Ricard Circuit, Le Castellet, France. 4-6 July 1986.

 

[Centurion]

It is time to give someone else a proper opportunity to test their skills, Heidfeld had his chances and he has shown himself to be a good solid drive, but he is just not quite fast enough to be a top tier driver.

Nice Nick had to go. He had exhausted his boss's patience. Although I think Grosjean should be given a second chance, Bruno has been never been given the opportunity in a competitive car. My hopes ar e low for him though and I suspect he will be slower than Nick


Tomorrow the FIA will hopefully announce the DRS zone which logically only make sense on the straight after Au Rouge where the Macca boys will blitz everyone even without DRS. Mclaren will be incredibly strong and should bag a 2-1. Regardless of where both drivers start there won't be any obstacles in overtaking any car.

 

[Bartek S.]

Senna replaces Heidfeld at Renault

Bruno Senna will return to Formula 1 at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix as the replacement for Nick Heidfeld at the Renault team.

As AUTOSPORT reported on Monday, Renault had decided over the summer break that it wanted to shake up its driver line-up - and hoped to move Senna into a race seat alongside Vitaly Petrov instead of Heidfeld.

The matter was complicated, however, by the fact that Heidfeld was not willing to simply walk away from his deal at the team - especially because there seemed little reason to dismiss him on performance grounds as he was ahead of Petrov in the points' standings.

Following intense discussions between representatives of both Renault and Heidfeld over the past 48 hours, however, an interim settlement was reached on Wednesday night – leaving the way open for Senna to be given the green light to race in Belgium.

A statement issued by Renault said that it was only confirming Senna for this weekend's race in Spa – with the team's plans for the rest of the season expected to be announced on Thursday.

"Bruno will attend the Official FIA Press Conference tomorrow at 15.00. A press release with further details on the matter will be issued tomorrow morning," said Renault.

 

[Bartek S.]

FP1
Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap Laps
1. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m54.355s 13
2. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m54.829s + 0.474s 15
3. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 2m02.740s + 8.385s 8
4. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 2m03.752s + 9.397s 10
5. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 2m04.301s + 9.946s 7
6. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 2m04.663s + 10.308s 18
7. Felipe Massa Ferrari 2m04.728s + 10.373s 10
8. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 2m05.391s + 11.036s 12
9. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2m06.583s + 12.228s 16
10. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 2m06.886s + 12.531s 15
11. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 2m07.055s + 12.700s 12
12. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 2m07.481s + 13.126s 15
13. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 2m08.233s + 13.878s 14
14. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2m08.239s + 13.884s 14
15. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 2m08.918s + 14.563s 10
16. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 2m09.792s + 15.437s 8
17. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 2m12.278s + 17.923s 13
18. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 2m12.389s + 18.034s 10
19. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 2m12.772s + 18.417s 13
20. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 2m13.058s + 18.703s 8
21. Karun Chandhok Lotus-Renault 2m13.090s + 18.735s 11
22. Vitaly Petrov Renault 2m13.601s + 19.246s 10
23. Bruno Senna Renault 2m14.340s + 19.985s 7
24. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 2m14.933s + 20.578s 11

 

[martinbo]

Well, that's the only time you'll see the Mercedes duo at the top of the timesheets. It's all down the log from here...

 

[Bartek S.]

Well, that's the only time you'll see the Mercedes duo at the top of the timesheets. It's all down the log from here...

Rain...

 

[Bartek S.]

FP2

Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap Laps
1. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m50.321s 22
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m50.461s + 0.140s 18
3. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m50.770s + 0.449s 9
4. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m50.838s + 0.517s 9
5. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m51.218s + 0.897s 14
6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m51.242s + 0.921s 22
7. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m51.655s + 1.334s 20
8. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m51.725s + 1.404s 17
9. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m51.751s + 1.430s 8
10. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m51.790s + 1.469s 13
11. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m51.922s + 1.601s 22
12. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m52.750s + 2.429s 20
13. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m52.780s + 2.459s 25
14. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m52.911s + 2.59 s 24
15. Sébastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m53.009s + 2.688s 24
16. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m53.156s + 2.835s 17
17. Bruno Senna Renault 1m53.835s + 3.514s 20
18. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m55.051s + 4.730s 20
19. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m55.494s + 5.173s 22
20. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m56.202s + 5.881s 15
21. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m56.816s + 6.495s 20
22. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1m57.450s + 7.129s 19
23. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m57.612s + 7.291s 24
24. Vitaly Petrov Renault 2m02.234s + 11.913s 12

 

[Zonda]

I miss Kimi!

 

[Bartek S.]

FP3
Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap Laps
1. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 2m08.988s 7
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 2m09.046s + 0.058s 8
3. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2m09.931s + 0.943s 16
4. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 2m10.257s + 1.269s 7
5. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 2m10.402s + 1.414s 9
6. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2m10.580s + 1.592s 15
7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m10.837s + 1.849s 12
8. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 2m11.437s + 2.449s 13
9. Bruno Senna Renault 2m11.664s + 2.676s 14
10. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m11.667s + 2.679s 10
11. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 2m11.874s + 2.886s 13
12. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 2m13.036s + 4.048s 15
13. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 2m13.074s + 4.086s 12
14. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 2m13.182s + 4.194s 12
15. Vitaly Petrov Renault 2m13.290s + 4.302s 15
16. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 2m13.778s + 4.790s 12
17. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 2m14.334s + 5.346s 14
18. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 2m14.682s + 5.694s 11
19. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 2m17.159s + 8.171s 12
20. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 2m18.039s + 9.051s 10
21. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 2m19.001s + 10.013s 12
22. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 2m19.001s + 10.609s 14
23. Felipe Massa Ferrari 2m19.597s + 13.466s 7
24. Fernando Alonso Ferrari no time 5

 

[Bartek S.]

Qual.
Pos Driver Team Time Gap
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m48.298s
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m48.730s + 0.432
3. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m49.376s + 1.078
4. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m50.256s + 1.958
5. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m50.552s + 2.254
6. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m50.773s + 2.475
7. Bruno Senna Renault 1m51.121s + 2.823
8. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m51.251s + 2.953
9. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m51.374s + 3.076
10. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m52.303s + 4.005

Q2 cut-off time: 2m04.625s Gap **

11. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2m04.692s + 1.924
12. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 2m04.757s + 1.989
13. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 2m05.150s + 2.382
14. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 2m07.349s + 4.581
15. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 2m07.777s + 5.009
16. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 2m08.106s + 5.338
17. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 2m08.354s + 5.586

Q1 cut-off time: 2m07.194s Gap *

18. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 2m07.758s + 5.945
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 2m07.773s + 5.960
20. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 2m09.566s + 7.753
21. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 2m11.601s + 9.788
22. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 2m11.616s + 9.803
23. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 2m13.077s + 11.264
24. Michael Schumacher Mercedes no time

 

[Bartek S.]

Mark Webber signed new Red Bull deal during Hungarian GP weekend

Mark Webber knew before the summer break that he would be racing for Red Bull again in 2012, having signed the deal in Hungary.

It was announced on Saturday morning at Spa that the 35-year-old Australian had concluded another one-year extension with the team he has raced for since 2007, dispelling speculation that he was considering retirement or switching outfits.

Having qualified third for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, Webber revealed in the press conference that he came into the weekend already certain of his future.

"Signed not long ago, I think it was the last race, actually, on the Sunday," he said when asked whether it was he or Red Bull that wanted a single year extension. "Little bit of both, I think [regarding team or self reluctant to commit]. The one-year extensions are not too bad for me, and also I think it suits them as well. Bit of 50-50."

Webber has scored all six of his wins with Red Bull as well as his nine podiums. The Australian also raced for the team under its previous guise of Jaguar Racing between 2003 and '04.

 

[Bartek S.]

Pastor Maldonado penalised, Lewis Hamilton reprimanded over Spa qualifying clash

Pastor Maldonado has been given a five-place grid penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix after his incident with Lewis Hamilton at the end of Q2.

The pair had clashed once at the Bus Stop chicane as Hamilton hurried to complete a flying lap, and Maldonado then appeared to jink towards the McLaren on their following laps as they came out of La Source, with light contact made between them.

Maldonado was adjudged to have been more at fault in the incident and will be moved back from 16th to 21st on the grid.

When asked by AUTOSPORT whether the second move had been deliberate retaliation, the Williams driver said: "No. It was a big moment.

"I tried to overtake him because he slowed down quite a lot. It's like a straight, but there's a turn and maybe at that moment he was turning and I was a bit straight. It's difficult to say.

"There was not any reason for both drivers to do anything after the chequered flag. It's clear that there was a mistake on both sides.

Maldonado added that he had not spoken to Hamilton about either incident and that he was comfortable with what had happened initially at the chicane as there was "no contact".

Hamilton was given a reprimand but receives no penalty. The stewards said both drivers were guilty of "causing a collision" and were punished under article 16.1 of the regulations.

 

[Bartek S.]

Michael Schumacher shrugs off Spa qualifying wheel incident

Michael Schumacher said he would remain positive about his chances in the Belgian Grand Prix despite the lost wheel in qualifying that left him at the back of the grid.

The Mercedes' right rear wheel became detached between Malmedy and Rivage on Schumacher's out-lap in Q1, causing him to crash.

"Well, obviously I would have wished for a different end to today's qualifying, but it is difficult to drive on three wheels - even if I should have the experience to do so in Spa," he said, making a light-hearted reference to his incident with David Coulthard in the 1998 Belgian GP.

"Seriously, this is certainly something that should not occur, but then this is also Formula 1; we are working at the highest level but still things can happen.

"At first, I wasn't sure what had happened, as I just felt myself lose the back end suddenly which is why I instantly apologised to the team. But then I saw the wheel off the car and understood the reason why I had lost control.

 

[Zonda]

I didn't watch quali, but those are some big time gaps between the drivers. Any reason to why?
Times still appear to be too fast for the track to be wet.

 

[Centurion]

I didn't watch quali, but those are some big time gaps between the drivers. Any reason to why?
Times still appear to be too fast for the track to be wet.

At the end of Q3 the track was drying by the second so each driver that crossed the line set a faster lap than the driver just ahead on the track. So is was a game of trying to be the last guy to cross the line and so did Vettel in Q3 and Heikki in Q1. Finally qualifying is worth watching again. Maldonado was rather unsportmans to ram Lewis at the end of Q2. Not a good show.

Bruno Senna did well and I look forward to him winning me over as a fan because I like Grojean more. Maclaren cocked up as always. Terrible session for Button who was stupidly called in to retire in the pits while the track was drying up and lap times were coming down quickly. Either way it is an amazingly fast circuit and I have no doubts in my mind that he will be able to challenge the front runners through easy overtaking on the straights and planning his pit stops well.

 

[wookieecrisp]

Maclaren cocked up as always. Terrible session for Button who was stupidly called in to retire in the pits while the track was drying up and lap times were coming down quickly.

Really? Button said that not making Q2 was a misunderstanding in radio communication, not a decision by the team. Hamilton is in P2, which is not bad at all and he won from the same position in similar conditions in Germany.
How can you say that McLaren "always cocks up" when they are the team that has won the last two races?

 

[Centurion]

Really? Button said that not making Q2 was a misunderstanding in radio communication, not a decision by the team. Hamilton is in P2, which is not bad at all and he won from the same position in similar conditions in Germany.
How can you say that McLaren "always cocks up" when they are the team that has won the last two races?

Button called it a miscommunication because he did not want to point any fingers but it was clear by his body language that he was pissed. Winning races is not enough when you should have 1-2 finishes but you fumble up with either strategy, wheel nuts or fuelling.

 

[wookieecrisp]

Button called it a miscommunication because he did not want to point any fingers but it was clear by his body language that he was pissed. Winning races is not enough when you should have 1-2 finishes but you fumble up with either strategy, wheel nuts or fuelling.

I guess you can say that about Button, but Lewis lost the race in Hungary under his own error, he spun, he got a drive-through, and he made the incorrect decision to switch to inters, not the team.