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Belgian GP: Williams Martini Race Preview


By Williams Martini Racing
August 18 2014

After the mid-season break the Williams Martini team returns to the famous Spa circuit of the 2014 Belgian GP. After a very positive start to the 2014 season the team is aiming to improve on this with this race being well suited to the teams FW36. Both team drivers Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas are looking forward to this circuit with the aim of coming away with another good result.

 
2014 Belgian GP Preview
 
Spa Circuit
 

One of the classic Formula One venues, Spa-Francorchamps is loved and respected in equal measure by the drivers. It’s the longest track on the calendar and within its 7kms are several of the most challenging corners in the world. Pouhon and Blanchimont are both fast and taxing left-handers, but Eau Rouge remains the corner that’s recognised by racing fans the world over.

In dry conditions the cars enter Eau Rouge at 180mph and they experience both lateral and longitudinal g-forces as they pass through the compression at the bottom of the hill, while flicking their cars through the left-right-left sequence. With the 2014 technical regulations limiting downforce at the rear of the cars this year, there’s every chance that it won’t be ‘easy-flat’, which will test the drivers’ skill and bravery to the limit.

Rod Smedley:
We have had a really good start to the 2014 campaign, everyone is living and learning how to race back at the top again. Hopefully everybody has come back refreshed and motivated for the second half of the season. The objectives within the team are clear, we want to finish as high up in the constructors table as possible.

Spa is a circuit that should suit us, there is very high drag and engine sensitivity and those features will benefit us. The middle sector is something we will have to work on throughout the weekend, and in qualifying we will need to have the tyres switched on for that sector. There is always a chance for rain in Spa, so we have to be conscious of this throughout the weekend.

Felipe Massa:
I love Spa, it’s one of my favourite tracks because of the long straights and high speed corners, and it’s a track we all look forward to racing at.

The long straights should suit our car and we can kick the second half of the season off with some success. I won here in 2008 and so I know what it takes to win.

I have had a really nice summer break but am ready to get back to racing. We have some great tracks to look forward to and I hope we can carry on developing our car like we did the first half of the season, and continue to be near the front.

Valtteri Bottas:
Spa is always a great place to go; it’s one of the best circuits in the world. The elevation changes and high speed corners make it a real pleasure to drive, especially in an F1 car. Because of the long straights and variable weather conditions races can be very interesting for the driver and for the fans. To be competitive in Spa you need a car with efficient aerodynamics, so we expect to be strong and are aiming for a good result. The break has been long so I am really looking forward to getting back in the car.

Race Data
Friday:
Practice 1: 10:00 - 11:30
Practice 2: 14:00 - 15:30
Saturday:
Practice 3: 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying: 14:00 – 15:00
Sunday: Race: 14:00

 
Belgian GP Statistics
 
Points as of the Hungarian GP
 

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Belgian GP: Williams Martini Race Preview
Discussion started by Williams F1 , 18/08/2014 13:28
Williams F1
18/08/2014 13:28
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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j-s
18/08/2014 18:15
Hoping for a substantial points haul... P3 and P4 at least... Some scenarios:

Ideal: Beating one or two Mercs, winning and/or double podium, in front of RBR and Ferrari.
Realistic: P3 and P4, in front of RBR and Ferrari
Missed Opportunity: losing ground to RBR, re-pass Ferrari in WCC.
Small tragedy: Losing ground to rbr AND Ferrari in WCC

Most probable outcome: Williams leading the race until a late SC period (caused by Maldonado flipping Gutiérrez again). On the restart, Bottas and Massa collide in La Source. Double DNF.

tomazy
20/08/2014 16:55
http://img3.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Williams-Formel-1-GP-Belgien-Spa-Francorchamps-20-August-2014-fotoshowBigImage-6bf6c926-802685.jpg

http://img2.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Williams-Formel-1-GP-Belgien-Spa-Francorchamps-20-August-2014-fotoshowBigImage-5b2af10d-802713.jpg

http://img3.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Williams-Formel-1-GP-Belgien-Spa-Francorchamps-20-August-2014-fotoshowBigImage-66f3571c-802734.jpg

Massas car with a radical low drag aero winking smiley

http://img3.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Williams-Formel-1-GP-Belgien-Spa-Francorchamps-20-August-2014-fotoshowBigImage-f3c42607-802721.jpg

AlanJones
20/08/2014 17:47
Is it me or does de keel look different?


https://i.ibb.co/BsYLL8h/1992-Formula1-Williams-FW14-B-001-1440-01.jpg

A.Fant
20/08/2014 21:54
Quote:
AlanJones
Is it me or does de keel look different?

I think it looks the same as the one used for the Hungarian GP.

Quote:
tomazy
1 2
3
4
5
6
7

Pic 1 and 2 shows the keel pretty clearly.

andy si
21/08/2014 08:56
I want it to go fast around the SPA winking smiley

crusty_bread
21/08/2014 11:49
hot, dry weather please. low drag ain't so good in the wet.

7UpJordan
21/08/2014 21:22
"This track should suit our car..."

Sorry, couldn't resist for old time's sake, although I saw Susie using those exact words on her Facebook page today.

P3 and P4 at the very least will be the target. I forsee the middle sector being where Mercedes might still have an advantage. But I also forsee Rosberg and Hamilton tripping up one another in some form, whether it be on the track or through mind games/team orders/Hamilton tantrum/duff pit stops for Hamilton/Hamilton's ego exploding etc etc.

http://img3.imagebanana.com/img/42295wqs/sig.jpg

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