Hamilton did a great job, he also managed to save his Mclaren from an off the track trip.

Alonso was involved in an early crash with Barrichelo, a bad tire decision and a spin that ended his race.

Vettel involved in little accidents, one resulting in a puncture to his rear tire.

Next… Italy, Alonso and Massa must have to make a great race.

Note – Alguersuari finished 10th but had 20s added to his race time for gaining an advantage by cutting the final chicane.

SPA 2010 Podium

Formula 1 driver Nico Huelkenberg and Christian Danner (F1 expert) share insights on racing the circuit in Spa-Francorchamps.

The circuit, located less than 10km from the hydrotherapy resort town of Spa, is a greatly shortened version of the 14km-long original, which was comprised almost entirely of public roads and used in largely unchanged form from 1950 to 1970. Safety concerns led to the track being cut to barely half its original length and in this revised format Spa returned to the Formula One calendar in 1983. A number of detailed revisions have been made since then, and it is in this configuration that the circuit will this weekend host the 55th Belgian Grand Prix.

One factor likely to feature at some stage of the race weekend is rain: the Belgian Grand Prix is noted for the fickle nature of its weather and wet conditions have contributed greatly to a number of memorable victories in adverse conditions and major track incidents.

As the championship moves towards its decisive latter stages, five drivers remain in contention for the title, with just 20 points separating Red Bull Racing’s Mark Webber, leading the chase and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, in fifth.

CIRCUIT DATA: SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS

Spa Francorchamps Circuit

CHANGES TO THE CIRCUIT SINCE 2009

• The artificial grass on the exit of turn 1 has been widened and extended to the end of the run-off area.

• A large section of the grass behind the apex kerb at turn 6 has been laid with asphalt and three bumps (similar to those in Barcelona, Valencia Monza) have been placed across the run-off area.

• A two metre wide strip of artificial grass has been laid behind the apex kerb at turn 6.

• The kerb on the exit of turn 6 has been replaced by a 50mm negative kerb and artificial grass has been laid behind it.

• The gravel behind the kerb on the exit of turn 6 has been replaced by asphalt.

FAST FACTS: BELGIAN GRAND PRIX

• Some of motorsport’s greatest names have been multiple winners of the Belgian Grand Prix. Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher won the race six times; triple champion Ayrton Senna won it five times; double champion Jim Clark was unbeaten from 1962-1965, while 2007 champion Kimi Räikkönen is also a four-time Spa winner.

• The Belgian Grand Prix has been part of the Formula One World Championship since 1950, and has failed to appear on the calendar only six times: 1957, 1959, 1969, 1971, 2003 and 2006. Along with the Monaco, British and Italian Grands Prix, the Belgian Grand Prix is one of only four events surviving from the original 1950 World Championship.

• No Belgian has ever won the Belgian Grand Prix. Of the 22 Belgians to have raced in Formula One, only two have won grands prix: Jacky Ickx and Thierry Boutsen (3).

• Three venues have hosted the Belgian Grand Prix since 1950: Spa-Francorchamps (42 times); Zolder (10: 1973, 1975-1982, 1984) and Nivelles (twice: 1972 and 1974).

• One of the most memorable Belgian Grands Prix was in 1998, when a huge 14-car accident occurred on the first lap of the race. Seven cars were unable to take the restart and there was a further incident on lap 25 when race leader Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari hit David Coulthard’s McLaren, losing a wheel and forcing Schumacher to retire after completing most of a lap on three wheels. Through the chaos the Jordans of Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher emerged to take the team’s first victory, as a 1-2 finish.

CIRCUIT DATA

Length of lap: 7.004km
Lap record: 1:45.108 (Kimi Räikkönen, 2004, McLaren-Mercedes)
Start line/finish line offset: 0.124km
Total number of race laps: 44
Total race distance: 308.052km
Pitlane speed limits: 60km/h during practice sessions; 100km/h during qualifying and race

FORMULA ONE TIME TABLE AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ORGANISED BY THE FIA

Thursday
Press Conference 15.00 hrs

Friday
Practice Session 1 10.00 – 11.30 hrs
Practice Session 2 14.00 – 15.30 hrs
Press Conference 16.00 hrs

Saturday
Practice Session 3 11.00 – 12.00 hrs
Qualifying 14.00 – 15.00 hrs Followed by unilateral and press conference

Sunday
Drivers Parade 12.30 – 12.45 hrs
Race 14.00 hrs Followed by unilateral and press conference

ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES.

• Qualifying: All drivers eliminated in Q1 or Q2 will be available for media interviews immediately after the end of each session, as will drivers who participated in Q3, but who are not required for the post-qualifying press conference. Location: TBC

• Race: Any driver retiring before the end of the race will be available for media interviews after his return to the paddock. In addition, all drivers who finish the race outside the top three will be available for media interviews immediately after the end of the race. Location: TBC.

• During the race every team will make available at least one senior spokesperson for interviews by officially accredited TV crews. A list of those nominated will be made available in the media centre.

CIRCUIT DATA: CIRCUIT DE CATALUNYA 

Spain Catalunya Circuit

CHANGES TO THE CIRCUIT SINCE 2009

• The debris fence on the approach to turn 1 has been extended to the end of the run-off area. 

FAST FACTS: SPANISH GRAND PRIX

• The 2010 Spanish Grand Prix will be the event’s 40th edition since 1951.
Five circuits have hosted the race: the Circuit de Catalunya (nineteen from 1991 to 2009); Jarama (nine between 1968 and 1981); Jerez (five from 1986 to 1990); Montjuich (four: 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975) and Pedralbes (two: 1951 and 1954). 

• Fernando Alonso is Spain’s only Formula One Grand Prix winner, despite his being the 13th Spaniard to have raced in F1. His first win, for Renault, came at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix, while at this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix, he became the seventh driver to win on his Ferrari F1 debut, the others being: Juan-Manuel Fangio and Luigi Musso (shared car, Argentina 1956); Giancarlo Baghetti (France, 1961); Mario Andretti (South Africa, 1971); Nigel Mansell (Brazil, 1989) and Kimi Räikkönen (Australia, 2007). 

•The 1986 Spanish Grand Prix, at Jerez, holds the record for the closest Grand Prix finish. Ayrton Senna, for Lotus-Renault, pipped Williams-Honda’s Nigel Mansell by 0.014 seconds after 72 laps. 

• The Catalan capital, Barcelona, is 35km from the circuit. One of the world’s great cities, and an international cultural destination, Barcelona hosted the Spanish Grand Prix in Montjuich Park – later extensively re-developed for the 1992 Olympic Games – four times between 1969 and 1975. 

CIRCUIT DATA

Length of lap: 4.655km
Lap record: 1:21.670 (Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari, 2008)
Start line/finish line offset: 0.126km
Total number of race laps: 66
Total race distance: 307.104km
Pitlane speed limits: 60km/h during practice sessions; 100km/h during qualifying and race 

FORMULA ONE TIME TABLE AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ORGANISED BY THE FIA

Thursday
Press Conference15.00 hrs 

Friday
Practice Session 1 10.00 – 11.30 hrs
Practice Session 2 14.00 – 15.30 hrs
Press Conference 16.00 hrs 

Saturday
Practice Session 3 11.00 – 12.00 hrs
Qualifying 14.00 – 15.00 hrs Followed by unilateral and press conference 

Sunday
Drivers Parade 12.30 – 12.45 hrs
Race 14.00 hrs Followed by unilateral and press conference 

ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES.

•Qualifying: All drivers eliminated in Q1 or Q2 will be available for media interviews immediately after the end of each session, as will drivers who participated in Q3, but who are not required for the post-qualifying press conference. Where? At the back of the FIA garage, paddock side. 

•Race: Any driver retiring before the end of the race will be available for media interviews after his return to the paddock. In addition, all drivers who finish the race outside the top three will be available for media interviews immediately after the end of the race, at each team’s individual garage/hospitality or at the back of the FIA garage.

•During the race every team will make available at least one senior spokesperson for interviews by officially accredited TV crews. A list of those nominated will be made available in the media centre.

Alonso made an extra effort from the back, because he jump started and was penalized.

Great victory for Button! he didn’t make a mistake and was able to get the win.

Again Hamilton involved in strange moves in the track and the pit lane.

Rosberg again ahead of Schumi.

Vamonos a España!

China GP Podium