Pirelli Belgian Grand Prix Preview

(Pirelli Motorsport Media)

This weekend Formula One returns from its annual Summer break with the Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium the perfect place to kick off the second half of the 2014 Formula One season. For the Belgian Grand Prix Pirelli will bring the Yellow marked Soft tyre along with the White walled Medium compound tyre. 

The weather always plays a key role in the outcome of the Grand Prix and this year is no different. For Free Practice One and Two the weather forecast suggests that it will be dry but overcast with temperature highs of 20oC and lows of 11oC.

On Saturday for qualifying there is a possibility of showers and temperatures will range from highs of 19oC with lows of 10oC.

For the Grand Prix itself on Sunday it is due to be sunny but cloudy which will greatly affect the track temperature and in doing so the overall performance of the tyre. The maximum expected temperature on Sunday is due to be 20oC with lows expected around 14oC.

Speaking about this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps Pirelli Motorsport Director Paul Hembery commented: 

'Spa is one of the most epic circuits of the year, and a track we know well from our experience of GT racing at the Spa 24 Hours too. An adaptable tyre is the key element, able to work equally well within the very wide range of track and weather conditions that we often see in Belgium. 

Despite the fact that tyre wear and degradation is traditionally high at Spa – the result of the multiple energy loadings put through the tyres – we have been able to nominate the soft tyres here as well as the medium for the first time since 2011, with the softer option liable to be the preferred choice in qualifying due to a significant time gap. 

This is because of the length of the lap, meaning also that strategy is a very big factor in Spa: there is more time to be won and lost by being on the right tyre at the right time than at many other venues. It’s the sort of race where, under the right circumstances, it’s absolutely possible to go from last to first – and that always makes for a very exciting grand prix.'

Pirelli consultant and former F1 driver Jean Alesi commented:

'Spa is simply the best when it comes to driving pleasure but it’s also very difficult – both in wet and dry conditions. From a tyre point of view, it’s really demanding. The asphalt is very abrasive, so tyre wear is always high. When I first started driving we had qualifying tyres and it was actually hard to get to the end of a single flying lap on those without experiencing some sort of blistering. 

By the time you got to the bus stop chicane, just before the pits, the tyres were already very worn. Now it’s different as the tyres are a lot more resistant. You need quite low downforce for Spa, otherwise you won’t have the speed on the straights, and that’s really where you get the time. The abrasiveness of the circuit actually becomes an advantage when it’s wet, which is quite a frequent occurrence. Even when it’s raining, there’s still quite a lot of grip.'

© Ben Johnston 2014