With six races completed, Formula One prepare for another triple header which begins with the 2020 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps this weekend.
After taking victory in Spain, Lewis Hamilton enters this race looking to tie Jim Clark for the most Belgian GP wins by a British driver but Spa Francorchamps is known for its unpredictable results and weather, so expect a tough challenge from Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas as they look to cut Hamilton’s championship lead.
This race also marks the seventh race in nine weeks and the first of another triple header as teams move closer towards the halfway point of this season at Mugello in a fortnight’s time, so here is everything that you need to know about Spa Francorchamps and this weekend.
Track Guide
Circuit: Spa Francorchamps
Laps: 44
Race Distance: 308.052km
Tyre Compounds: C2, C3 & C4
Schedule
| Date | Session | Time (BST) |
| Friday 28 August | FP1 | 10:00am |
| Friday 28 August | FP2 | 2:00pm |
| Saturday 29 August | FP3 | 11:00am |
| Saturday 29 August | Qualifying | 2:00pm |
| Sunday 30 August | Race | 2:10pm |
Five Key Pointers
- Pirelli are bringing tyre compounds which are a step softer than those seen around Spa last season, so expect to see tyre degradation to be an issue if hot weather hits the circuit, although cooler temperatures are forecast.
- Rain is forecast to linger around Spa throughout the weekend but given the size of this circuit, timing could be key in Qualifying and Race if get interchangeable conditions at different parts of the track.
- Ferrari should expect a tough weekend given the high number of high speed corners and straights, which will expose their lack of overall top speed.
- Should rain affect practice sessions, expect Racing Point to focus on understanding the wet tyre compounds after struggling to switch those tyres on during a wet Styrian GP Qualifying session last month.
- We haven’t seen the wet tyres in race trim yet this season, which makes for an unpredictable race if current forecast proves correct for showers throughout race which could mix up strategies if get various safety car periods.
Race Recaps
If missed any of the six previous opening rounds of the 2020 season, please click on the links below to catch up on the missed action.