The Hungarian GP delivered drama on the tracks like no other race this year! And following up on that action is the upcoming Belgian GP at the historic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. This season has already shaped up as one of the most exciting in a decade with 7 different winners in the first 13 races. In fact, the fight at the Hungaroring last weekend had the audience on the edge of their seats even though the circuit is infamous for not allowing too many overtakes. Meanwhile, Spa is a fan-favorite track for its iconic chicanes that are danger traps for the racers. So, will we see an even more hair-raising showdown this weekend than the last?

The Belgian GP will probably answer multiple questions that have cropped up in everyone’s minds since Piastri’s win in Hungary. Budapest saw the McLarens in a thunderous form as its MCL38 even beat the Red Bull RB20 in the hot, dusty climate. Towards the end of the race, the fans watched reigning World Champion Max Verstappen’s podium hopes bite the dust after a brief contact with Lewis Hamilton. So, does this mean the McLarens have the upper hand in the Constructors’ Championship now? Will Verstappen have several more on-track duels with Hamilton to bring back memories of their 2021 fights? These questions will hopefully find answers hidden in the corners of the Spa circuit.

While you try to hold your horses in anticipation of this weekend’s race? Do you want to know if rain will play a deciding factor in the racers’ results? Take a look at the weather forecast for the Belgian GP to know if you’ll have to pack your umbrella in case you’ll be in Stavelot for the race.

Rain and shine will combine at Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian GP

In the last two F1 Grand Prix, fans found a rain-soaked British GP followed by a bone-dry Hungarian GP. Now, the upcoming race in Belgium will be a mix of these two contrasting climates. While the Mercedes cars reigned supreme on the wets, McLaren cracked the code to speed in the dry heat of Budapest. So, the Belgian GP will give the final verdict on which team will win the battle when both these conditions converge.

Friday, July 26: Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2

Since no Sprint Races are scheduled on Belgian soil, the weekend will start on Friday. Amidst a gentle drizzle, the cars will go on the tracks for two rounds of free practice. As per The Standard, there is a considerable probability of rain on Friday when the teams get ready to test their pace on the intermediate tires.

Saturday, July 27: Qualifying

Qualifying will almost certainly be a rainy affair as the racers will brave the curves of a 7 km-long track for a favorable spot on the starting grid. The chances of rain remain at 50% as cloud cover will persist. Temperatures should be around a modest 20°C/68F. In the current pack, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Fernando Alonso are all big names who have shone through on wet tracks which seem daunting to most racers. The wet qualifying session might be their chance to showcase their skills on the wets.

Sunday, July 28: Main Race

The heavy rain in Belgium in 2021 saw the race suspended after repeated attempts at resuming it. As the cars tried to steer through the track that wind amidst the Ardennes Forest, they could only go for 3 non-racing laps before the FIA called off the race altogether. However, the situation will not be like that this time around in Spa. The rain Qualifying will wash off with the start of the new day as the chances of rainfall will go down to 5%. Maximum temperatures will be around 22°C, thus causing the cars to go for soft, medium, and hard tires.

As the last race before the summer break starts, the Belgian GP will be crucial for several reasons. It might be the last thing to seal Sergio Perez‘s fate – whether the Mexican will stay on at Red Bull or if he will exit the team altogether.

Sergio Perez’s future in Formula 1 hangs by a piece of Belgian thread

Forever called Red Bull’s “other driver”, Sergio Perez might get a harsh reality check after failing to bring points for his squad for several races now. The Mexican’s points deficit to teammate Max Verstappen has become a major worry for most. After his latest disappointing Qualifying run last Saturday in Budapest, Checo’s boss all but confirmed, there’s an axe hanging over his neck.

Christian Horner said, “I think I have shown that I am very patient, but this was really the last thing he and the team needed.”

If Perez fails to excel during the wet Qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps, things might worsen for him despite the new deal he signed with RBR earlier this season. On the other hand, if Daniel Ricciardo shows a spurt of speed at the Belgian GP, Red Bull might favor him to take over Sergio Perez’s spot. Thus, the upcoming race is a make-or-break deal for the 34-year-old Mexican, who is yet to win a Grand Prix this year.

With such an important race hanging over us, and the climate conditions seeming to be an interesting mix, it’s not a surprise the anticipation is running high in F1 town right now! So, dearest readers, join the conversation and take your picks on which racers you want to see on the podium in the comments below.