Title Battle To Swing Back Verstappen’s Way
Following the traditional summer break, the F1 season resumes this weekend at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the Belgian Grand Prix.
2021 is certainly proving to be one of the most exciting championship battles in recent years, with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen evoking memories of the Senna/Prost and Hill/Schumacher rivalries.
After the Austrian Grand Prix, which Verstappen won – Red Bull’s fifth consecutive triumph – the Dutchman was 32 points clear of Hamilton and in a prime position to win his maiden title.
However, two nightmare races since have seen the Briton overhaul his rival as he seeks his record-breaking eighth Driver’s Championship.
Spa to Suit Red Bull Package
In many ways, Spa is the ultimate test for any driver and also for team crews in how to set up the car with the right balance.
The first sector is all about power, with the devilish Eau Rouge kink one of the most fearsome corners on the circuit.
For the most part, though, Spa, with its sweeping turns and short straights, is all about downforce, and Red Bull have traditionally performed well at the circuit with their car the best equipped to go through those corners.
However, part of the reason for their success this season has been the brilliance of the Honda power unit, with the car performing well on pure power circuits such as Austria’s A1 Ring.
Even though Mercedes made some significant upgrades to their car before Silverstone, which has significantly closed the gap, Red Bull may just have a slight advantage.
Verstappen can be backed at 1/1 to win the race, which would be his first at Spa and Red Bull’s first since 2014.
Hamilton to Push All the Way
The 36-year-old is no stranger to the F1 record books, and Sunday could lead to another entry if all goes to plan.
Hamilton could become the first driver in the sport’s history to clock 100 wins if he takes the chequered flag at Spa.
Momentum is with him currently, and confidence will be very high following two brilliant drives at Silverstone and the Hungaroring.
He successfully came through the field to win at his home Grand Prix despite being penalised for his highly publicised shunt with Verstappen.
Back to work.
Doing what we love.
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— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) August 26, 2021
Then, in Hungary, he recovered from being last after a tyre strategy error to finish third – later promoted to second after Sebastian Vettel’s disqualification.
Hamilton has won in Spa four times, though only one of those has been in the past three years.
He is certainly a podium candidate and can be backed at 1/4 for a top-three finish.
Weather Uncertainty May Lead to Chaos
One of the reasons for Spa’s enduring popularity is its habit of changeable weather, and forecasts indicate rain is likely across the whole weekend.
That would throw a big spanner in the works for teams in terms of their setup and tyre choices.
If there is rain, especially at the start of the race, then those treacherous conditions could lead to mayhem on track – a la Hungary last time out.
The safety car to be deployed at any time can be backed at 1/3, with eight of the last 12 races seeing it required at least once.
*All odds correct at time of writing