After a mini-break between races, the ultimate a part of the season earlier than the summer season shutdown encompasses a double-header, beginning with one of many sport’s most iconic venues. Whereas the drivers will probably be wanting ahead to getting out on monitor at Spa-Francorchamps, there have been a couple of developments because the paddock was final collectively…
All change at Crimson Bull
The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix would be the first F1 race weekend that Crimson Bull have taken half in with out Christian Horner as their Group Principal.
Horner was relieved of his operational tasks as each Group Principal and CEO simply three days after the British Grand Prix, with the 52-year-old telling the crew it got here as a shock. Underneath Horner, Crimson Bull received eight drivers’ championships and 6 constructors’ titles, nevertheless it seems to be more and more unlikely that they’ll add to both of these tallies this 12 months.
Shifting ahead, it’s former Racing Bulls Group Principal Laurent Mekies who has been tasked with arresting a slide that noticed Crimson Bull go from some of the dominant campaigns ever in 2023 to now sitting fourth within the standings.
Whereas the information got here as a shock to Horner, it additionally caught out many inside the paddock who weren’t anticipating such a major change on the prime of Crimson Bull at this level of the 12 months, and Spa-Francorchamps would be the first alternative to listen to from each Mekies and Max Verstappen – in addition to lots of Horner’s former friends in command of different groups – on the impression of the transfer.
Additional concentrate on Verstappen and Russell
The final race at Silverstone did little to dampen hypothesis surrounding Max Verstappen’s future at Crimson Bull, and the change in Group Principal will solely add to the intrigue.
When Crimson Bull have been having fun with their most dominant 12 months in 2023, Verstappen spoke of the significance of holding the crew collectively and key personnel in place to proceed that run. Since then, quite a lot of large names have departed, with Horner changing into the most recent simply two weeks in the past.
There have been inquiries to each Horner and Verstappen about hyperlinks between the four-time world champion and Mercedes, with Horner stating that Crimson Bull would at some point should plan for all times with out their star driver. Based mostly on present contracts, that’s not meant to be till 2028, nevertheless it hasn’t stopped discussions from going down to know future choices.
If anybody had been anticipating the hole between races to simply quieten the speak round Verstappen and Mercedes, then they have been betting in opposition to the web, the place followers have been monitoring jets and yachts related to each Verstappen and Toto Wolff. In accordance with their actions, there’s a excessive probability the pair have been in the identical city in Sardinia on the similar time…
Whether or not that’s simply coincidental – Sardinia being a good looking place to go for a brief break – or led to any assembly stays to be seen, however each side are positive to be requested about it in Belgium.
Sauber’s type
It may be practically three weeks since we final went racing, however what a narrative it was on the finish of the British Grand Prix when Nico Hulkenberg lastly secured the primary podium of his Formulation 1 profession.
The German was capable of take pleasure in some fairly spectacular celebrations within the Sauber storage after the race, after which equally was welcomed dwelling to a celebration by family and friends, earlier than an extra marking of the second on the Sauber headquarters in Switzerland.
On the latter level, it’s price remembering that was Sauber’s first podium for 13 years, and in addition continued some clear progress for the crew after spectacular automotive developments. They introduced an improve to the Spanish Grand Prix and since that time have scored 35 factors, making them the fourth-highest scoring crew up to now 4 races.
Can they hold that run going at Spa-Francorchamps, or will the hole in occasions permit rivals to convey extra efficiency to their very own vehicles and combat again?
Ferrari selecting up momentum
Ferrari have but to win in 2025 however they’ve actually been trending in the best path in latest races, with the crew ending with a minimum of one automotive within the prime 5 in each race since Imola, the place they introduced an improve to their automotive.
That improve, nevertheless, was not the primary merchandise that Ferrari have been engaged on. There have been incremental features, however there has additionally been a concentrate on the rear suspension that they’ve been hoping will handle a number of the dealing with and set-up points that each Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have been having to combat with this 12 months.
A filming day at Mugello final week was the second of Ferrari’s two permitted promotional occasions this 12 months, and supplied a priceless alternative to attempt to make additional progress. If they’ve developed new elements that unlock extra potential from the SF-25, then Ferrari may properly be a risk for victories within the second half of the season.
And even when there isn’t a transparent step ahead, or extra work must be executed, the indicators have nonetheless been optimistic of late, with three podiums within the final 5 races and Ferrari beginning to clutch second place within the Constructors’ Championship, regardless of having to play catch-up following the double-DNF in China.
A driver favorite circuit
There’s one thing particular about watching Formulation 1 vehicles attacking Spa-Francorchamps, a circuit that retains such a way of historical past.
Fantastically winding its approach by the Ardennes, the monitor is a serious problem as a result of must stability each prime velocity with the excessive downforce wants of the center sector. To not point out the long-lasting corners comparable to Eau Rouge and Raidillon, Pouhon and Blanchimont.
It’s a monitor that may present loads of drama as a result of capacity to overhaul and the propensity for rain to impression the weekend, with the circuit maybe the perfect instance of a venue the place it may be raining in a single sector and utterly dry in one other.
So as to add to the motion this weekend, Spa-Francorchamps may also be host to a Dash for less than the second time, and the primary event delivered a Dash that occurred in moist circumstances, earlier than a Grand Prix that was dry. A lap of Spa is particular sufficient by itself, however much more racing motion has acquired to be a superb factor.