The wait is over! After three weeks of no F1 action, we can once again rejoice by saying ‘It’s race week’. For round 14 of the 2022 championship, F1 travels to Belgium to race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
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Since 2007, the Belgium GP has been a constant feature of the F1 calendar. The circuit features a 4.352-mile layout with 44 laps of racing action. The key characteristic for a strong result on this track is the straight-line speed in the first and the third sectors, while having quick cornering speeds in the middle sector, which makes it a compromise.
However, a bigger challenge than getting the right setup is predicting the wary climatic conditions of this venue. On that note, let’s look into what the weather predictions are for the upcoming race weekend.
Weather predictions for the F1 Belgium GP
395.5 and 387.5, the points scored by Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in the 2021 season, respectively. Notably, the 0.5 at the end of the figure is a rare occurrence, and credit to Belgium GP 2021, for giving the fans a race that lasted just two laps.
It's the #BelgianGP next weekend… Spa 2021 sure was fun 🤠 pic.twitter.com/z3YQC0DtVw
— Nikita Achanta (@AchantaNikita) August 17, 2022
In the previous year, the rain gods showed us no mercy as the whole Grand Prix concluded in a two-lap procession behind the safety car. Henceforth, satisfying the requirement to award half points and declare a result with no true racing action because of the torrential showers.
Coming to 2022, are we in store for another two-lap race at the Spa-Francorchamps?
With only a couple of days remaining before the first practice session gets underway, the radar points towards a dry running on Friday. That is followed up by a twist on Saturday, where showers can infringe the Qualifying session and the fans can put their money on a mixed grid. Lastly, in the main event, on race day, the cars can be spotted on intermediate/wet tires as we expect another wet Belgium GP.
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Furthermore, the temperatures are not expected to climb past 72° Fahrenheit on any day of F1’s return to action. However, if the last season teaches us anything, then it is that nothing is certain, but the uncertain.
F1 fans’ worst nightmare comes to life
Weather is something that F1 can’t control, but the possibility of another wet weekend disheartened the fans who have waited almost a month to watch the racing action unfold in Spa. Here is how the F1 Twitter reacted to a possible rain shower on race day.
Spa weather forecast… PLEASE NOT AGAIN pic.twitter.com/2lo1S3CUSG
— WTF1 (@wtf1official) August 22, 2022
Oh good. Time to have flashbacks to last year when the rain made the #BelgianGP the least fulfilling race in F1 history
Though if it gets delayed by 2 hours that would answer my dilemma of whether to watch it or Wolves v Newcastle https://t.co/bIIBgTN7tf
— Charles Crook (@chlcrk) August 22, 2022
Finally, its RACE WEEK for the Belgian Grand Prix! Really excited for the weekend and I am happy that F1 is back with racing. Hoping for a great race. 30% rain is so far predicted for Saturday and Sunday. Fingers crossed for a non-washout like last year. #F1 #BelgianGP
— Ahmet Cir (@AhmetCirF1) August 22, 2022
Oh for crying out loud. I hope @F1 has the foresight to make changes to the start time based on when the rain is likely to fall. It will be a catastrophe if we have a repeat of last year. #F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/IPvKhyfbOa
— Vinayak Pande (@VinayakPande) August 22, 2022
One upside of having a wet race weekend is that the car’s performance takes the backseat, and it is the talent of the driver which earns them success under tricky conditions. Shout-out to George Russell for clinching P2 in the Williams at the Belgium GP 2021.
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When you see that there is a chance of rain at Spa this weekend 🥴
…not again 💧💧💧#BelgianGP #spafrancorchamps #norace #rainedoff #F1 pic.twitter.com/IMqS1aYCO6
— The Sausage Kerb (@thesausagekerb) August 22, 2022
We should all start to pray so that the belgian gp doesn’t get canceled again 😩😤 #f1 #spafrancorchamps #rain #belgiangp #Formula1
— Shommm (@shomm24) August 21, 2022
Ah, Spa, can we talk? Some rain? Ok. Last year’s rain? Not Ok. #BelgianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/z01LqSswQ1
— F1ModePush (@F1ModePush) August 22, 2022
Oh lord 👀 #belgiumgp pic.twitter.com/p57pCJkERL
— Randy (@f1liferandy) August 22, 2022
was really considering to watch the belgian GP this weekend, but it looks like it will rain again lol. that's another race that i'm going to miss it seems 🤷♀️
— A 🧇 STOFFEL VANDOORNE WDC🏆 (@siomaiegg) August 22, 2022
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F1 fans seeing the weather forecast for spa #F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/9PgH9KKEXa https://t.co/1KmQkUdWLy
— F1 Portrayed By Top Gear (@TopGearFormula1) August 22, 2022
Rain forecast for the #BelgianGP? Darth Totto incoming #F1 pic.twitter.com/swusMarn4R
— Lewis Hamilton Scooter #LH44 (@LH44Scooter) August 22, 2022
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Given that the straight line speed of the car is the key to success at this track, who would you put your money on to win this upcoming weekend?