Official Belgium GP thread 2019
Discussion
FourWheelDrift said:
But they will not be so bunched up. They are professional drivers they know when to brake, it's just with short runs to a tight corner that their racing instinct takes over and they all look for gaps and that causes the issues.
Edited to add - Or bigger gaps between the rows.
A number of drivers were significantly more circumspect at La Source than others. Even Kimi, who was involved in the crash, braked early for the corner due, it would appear, to the car on his nearside threatening to take his line. If he'd carried on, just a yard or two, he might have been able to avoid Verstappen and avoid the car on the outside as well. Edited to add - Or bigger gaps between the rows.
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Monday 2nd September 11:32
ELUSIVEJIM said:
You are 100% correct.
Could you imagine the whole field heading down toward Eau Rouge. Scary.
Half the field would be gone by lap one
And the grid line up was 3/2/3 etc - so bunching could be an issue. Having said that, there weren't that many bumps and bangs in those days. And even if there were, the result was usually no more than a bent nose - since the cars did not possess fragile and vital wings.Could you imagine the whole field heading down toward Eau Rouge. Scary.
Half the field would be gone by lap one
And because Eua Rouge had none of the vast run off they have today, the drivers generally behaved themselves and gave each other room - as the consequences of a coming together were too horrific to contemplate.
Eric Mc said:
And the grid line up was 3/2/3 etc - so bunching could be an issue. Having said that, there weren't that many bumps and bangs in those days. And even if there were, the result was usually no more than a bent nose - since the cars did not possess fragile and vital wings.
And because Eua Rouge had none of the vast run off they have today, the drivers generally behaved themselves and gave each other room - as the consequences of a coming together were too horrific to contemplate.
Fantastic picture.And because Eua Rouge had none of the vast run off they have today, the drivers generally behaved themselves and gave each other room - as the consequences of a coming together were too horrific to contemplate.
The fact a small tangle could kill you perhaps helped the drivers in this era not go for gaps that were risky.
Derek Smith said:
A number of drivers were significantly more circumspect at La Source than others. Even Kimi, who was involved in the crash, braked early for the corner due, it would appear, to the car on his nearside threatening to take his line. If he'd carried on, just a yard or two, he might have been able to avoid Verstappen and avoid the car on the outside as well.
That is the problem facing drivers at La Source. If you brake and be careful you can land up with a car hitting you from behind. If you don't you risk hitting the car ahead.
Perhaps La Source is just a lottery and luck. Unless you're on the pole or at the back.
Even if you get through you have a high risk of getting a puncture if others do collide which would not be fun at Eau Rouge.
ELUSIVEJIM said:
Fantastic picture.
The fact a small tangle could kill you perhaps helped the drivers in this era not go for gaps that were risky.
That is the start of the 1962 GP. Later on in the race there actually was a serious coming together between Trevor Taylor and Willie Mariesse. Mariesse came up behind Taylor's Lotus and touched his gear box - nudging the gears into neutral. Both cars spun off. They both ended up in a ditch with Taylor having demolished a telegraph pole first and Mariesse's Ferrari bursting into flames. Taylor was mostly unhurt but badly shaken. Mariesse was more seriously hurt but survived.The fact a small tangle could kill you perhaps helped the drivers in this era not go for gaps that were risky.
I first read about this in the book "The Cruel Sport". That was the book which inspired John Frankenheimer and MGM to make the film "Grand Prix".
That was a very sad weekend.
Started off well, good drive along the e90, great B&B and dinner with the team when we went to get our passes.
Friday we walked the track, watched practice and went to Dominos for an excellent steak.
Saturday started off well, we were trackside for most of the day. Spent a bit of time in the paddock, had a chat with Joe Saward and did some people watching.
Obviously, it did not end well. Although we only caught the tail end of the crash on the screen, I could tell it was bad so we left. By the time we had got back to our B&B Antoine had died, shocking stuff.
Yesterday was just sad, real brave face stuff. Clearly, people had a job to do and they did it, putting on smiles for selfies with children and signing things for people but it was understandably very different.
We watched the race from the just past the start/finish line, we were with a load of germans who were clearly up for many beers. It was odd how they all cheered for Lewis, English driver, driving for a German-owned English team, overtaking a German driver. All very odd.
Some photos are
https://daviddonnan.smugmug.com/2019/Spa/
One to fuel a rumour
Cheers
D
Started off well, good drive along the e90, great B&B and dinner with the team when we went to get our passes.
Friday we walked the track, watched practice and went to Dominos for an excellent steak.
Saturday started off well, we were trackside for most of the day. Spent a bit of time in the paddock, had a chat with Joe Saward and did some people watching.
Obviously, it did not end well. Although we only caught the tail end of the crash on the screen, I could tell it was bad so we left. By the time we had got back to our B&B Antoine had died, shocking stuff.
Yesterday was just sad, real brave face stuff. Clearly, people had a job to do and they did it, putting on smiles for selfies with children and signing things for people but it was understandably very different.
We watched the race from the just past the start/finish line, we were with a load of germans who were clearly up for many beers. It was odd how they all cheered for Lewis, English driver, driving for a German-owned English team, overtaking a German driver. All very odd.
Some photos are
https://daviddonnan.smugmug.com/2019/Spa/
One to fuel a rumour
Cheers
D
It's always amazing when armchair fans spend a few days analyzing 20 F1 cars all heading into the same spot at race speed when all the drivers have is a few seconds to do whatever they see possible while gaps around them are constantly varying. I'm sure Max Verstappen will look for this thread to get some tips for next year.
Eric Mc said:
That is the start of the 1962 GP. Later on in the race there actually was a serious coming together between Trevor Taylor and Willie Mariesse. Mariesse came up behind Taylor's Lotus and touched his gear box - nudging the gears into neutral. Both cars spun off. They both ended up in a ditch with Taylor having demolished a telegraph pole first and Mariesse's Ferrari bursting into flames. Taylor was mostly unhurt but badly shaken. Mariesse was more seriously hurt but survived.
I first read about this in the book "The Cruel Sport". That was the book which inspired John Frankenheimer and MGM to make the film "Grand Prix".
I love reading about the old tracks and races. The accidents were always horrendous as you know.I first read about this in the book "The Cruel Sport". That was the book which inspired John Frankenheimer and MGM to make the film "Grand Prix".
Going to look out for that book as I haven't read it myself. Sounds like a good read.
When you see that accident it is surprising no one was killed.
davidd said:
That was a very sad weekend.
Started off well, good drive along the e90, great B&B and dinner with the team when we went to get our passes.
Friday we walked the track, watched practice and went to Dominos for an excellent steak.
Saturday started off well, we were trackside for most of the day. Spent a bit of time in the paddock, had a chat with Joe Saward and did some people watching.
Obviously, it did not end well. Although we only caught the tail end of the crash on the screen, I could tell it was bad so we left. By the time we had got back to our B&B Antoine had died, shocking stuff.
Yesterday was just sad, real brave face stuff. Clearly, people had a job to do and they did it, putting on smiles for selfies with children and signing things for people but it was understandably very different.
We watched the race from the just past the start/finish line, we were with a load of germans who were clearly up for many beers. It was odd how they all cheered for Lewis, English driver, driving for a German-owned English team, overtaking a German driver. All very odd.
Some photos are
https://daviddonnan.smugmug.com/2019/Spa/
One to fuel a rumour
Cheers
D
Fantastic pictures and thank you for sharing. Great, you had such good access to the paddock. Brilliant.Started off well, good drive along the e90, great B&B and dinner with the team when we went to get our passes.
Friday we walked the track, watched practice and went to Dominos for an excellent steak.
Saturday started off well, we were trackside for most of the day. Spent a bit of time in the paddock, had a chat with Joe Saward and did some people watching.
Obviously, it did not end well. Although we only caught the tail end of the crash on the screen, I could tell it was bad so we left. By the time we had got back to our B&B Antoine had died, shocking stuff.
Yesterday was just sad, real brave face stuff. Clearly, people had a job to do and they did it, putting on smiles for selfies with children and signing things for people but it was understandably very different.
We watched the race from the just past the start/finish line, we were with a load of germans who were clearly up for many beers. It was odd how they all cheered for Lewis, English driver, driving for a German-owned English team, overtaking a German driver. All very odd.
Some photos are
https://daviddonnan.smugmug.com/2019/Spa/
One to fuel a rumour
Cheers
D
The Ferrari fan giving Lewis the finger as he went past.
DanielSan said:
It's always amazing when armchair fans spend a few days analyzing 20 F1 cars all heading into the same spot at race speed when all the drivers have is a few seconds to do whatever they see possible while gaps around them are constantly varying. I'm sure Max Verstappen will look for this thread to get some tips for next year.
Isn’t it just?Daston said:
Was good to see the chaps over at IndyCar give their respect over the weekend. Made me think about the whole "Racing community" has F1 ever done minuet silence for the passing of an IndyCar driver?
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12475/7282040/ve...ELUSIVEJIM said:
Eric Mc said:
That is the start of the 1962 GP. Later on in the race there actually was a serious coming together between Trevor Taylor and Willie Mariesse. Mariesse came up behind Taylor's Lotus and touched his gear box - nudging the gears into neutral. Both cars spun off. They both ended up in a ditch with Taylor having demolished a telegraph pole first and Mariesse's Ferrari bursting into flames. Taylor was mostly unhurt but badly shaken. Mariesse was more seriously hurt but survived.
I first read about this in the book "The Cruel Sport". That was the book which inspired John Frankenheimer and MGM to make the film "Grand Prix".
I love reading about the old tracks and races. The accidents were always horrendous as you know.I first read about this in the book "The Cruel Sport". That was the book which inspired John Frankenheimer and MGM to make the film "Grand Prix".
Going to look out for that book as I haven't read it myself. Sounds like a good read.
When you see that accident it is surprising no one was killed.
FourWheelDrift said:
Yes, 4 years ago at Monza, a minute's silence to recognise the loss of ex-F1 and then Indycar racer Justin Wilson.Unfortunately Lewis forgot to take his cap off...
slipstream 1985 said:
ELUSIVEJIM said:
Eric Mc said:
That is the start of the 1962 GP. Later on in the race there actually was a serious coming together between Trevor Taylor and Willie Mariesse. Mariesse came up behind Taylor's Lotus and touched his gear box - nudging the gears into neutral. Both cars spun off. They both ended up in a ditch with Taylor having demolished a telegraph pole first and Mariesse's Ferrari bursting into flames. Taylor was mostly unhurt but badly shaken. Mariesse was more seriously hurt but survived.
I first read about this in the book "The Cruel Sport". That was the book which inspired John Frankenheimer and MGM to make the film "Grand Prix".
I love reading about the old tracks and races. The accidents were always horrendous as you know.I first read about this in the book "The Cruel Sport". That was the book which inspired John Frankenheimer and MGM to make the film "Grand Prix".
Going to look out for that book as I haven't read it myself. Sounds like a good read.
When you see that accident it is surprising no one was killed.
slipstream 1985 said:
What is amazing is the big crashes at Spa especially the one when Alonso's entire side was ripped open and the terrible f2 crash resulted in zero fires.
That is a very good point. It's amazing how the fuel cells are so good.F1's Fuel Tank Technology (Rubber + Kevlar)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoxZybhorS0
FourWheelDrift said:
ELUSIVEJIM said:
FourWheelDrift said:
There are 19 rows of grid boxes on the start/finish straight. They could just go back 9 rows and put pole position there and give them a longer run to Le Source
But that would make the cars entry speed even higher and even more dangerous.Some drivers just need to engage their brains when it comes to the start at Spa.
Happens every year.
Edited to add - Or bigger gaps between the rows.
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Monday 2nd September 11:32
SmoothCriminal said:
Heard about that but not seen it until now. Apparently Albon was also been interviewed at the time and similarly saw it on the big screen then immediately stopped the interview. From what I've read there was an immediate feeling around the whole paddock as soon as it happened that it was bad! Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff