Toto Talks Belgium
The last few races have underlined both where our strengths
are and where we need to improve. We have a car capable of fighting at the
front and scoring heavily, but we have not converted that potential into the
best possible results. Reliability issues have cost us points, and in a
championship this competitive, that is something we cannot afford. There is no
value in having the pace if we don't bring home the result.
Spa is one of the great challenges on the calendar. Like
Silverstone, energy management will play an important role, but the
characteristics of the circuit create different demands. It usually produces
exciting racing and genuine overtaking opportunities, while qualifying remains
a significant test.
Did you know ---
•
At 7.004km, Spa-Francorchamps is the longest
track on the F1 calendar. As a result, the race is run over the shortest number
of laps of the year: 44.
•
The run down to the first braking zone at Turn
One (La Source) is one of the shortest of the season at just 150m. Only
Azerbaijan (90m) and Las Vegas (111m) are shorter.
•
The tow at Spa-Francorchamps is very powerful
due to the long straights, particularly the section after Raidillon. On the
first lap this is even more powerful, because drivers chasing can pick up a tow
from multiple cars.
•
Tyre duty and wear are some of the highest of
the season at Spa, with high averages across all four corners of the car.
•
The Belgian Grand Prix is back to the
traditional weekend format this year after hosting a Sprint weekend last year.
•
The event forms part of Spa's new long-term
rotation agreement with Formula One, securing the Belgian Grand Prix's place on
the calendar through 2031 on selected years.
•
Mercedes has recorded 11 podium finishes and
three 1-2 finishes at Spa-
Francorchamps since returning to Formula One as a works
team in 2010.
•
Mercedes has six wins at Spa - the first coming
with Juan Manuel Fangio in 1955.
