SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 19 hrs 46 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Five talking points ahead of the 2020 Belgian Grand Prix

:Headline: Five talking points ahead of the 2020 Belgian Grand Prix: ID:411734: from db_amp
Lewis Hamilton holds a 37-point advantage over Red Bull driver Max Verstappen in his bid for a record-equalling seventh world title.

The Formula One circus moves on to Spa-Francorchamps for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton holds a 37-point advantage over Red Bull driver Max Verstappen in his bid for a record-equalling seventh world title.

Here, the PA news agency looks at five talking points ahead of the weekend's action.

Mercedes vow to conclude "unfinished business"

Hamilton will arrive in Belgium following one of the most crushing victories in recent Formula One memory. The world champion finished 24 seconds clear of Verstappen and lapped the entire field up to third at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya to extend his championship lead on a seemingly inevitable march to match Michael Schumacher's title record. However,the 35-year-old Briton has not won on Belgium soil since 2017. It is hardly a disaster, but the statistic suggests Hamilton is vulnerable at one of the sport's most iconic circuits. That said, Mercedes, and in particular Hamilton, have been in mesmerising form in 2020, and they will start the weekend as favourites to triumph again on Sunday. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: "Our next race takes us to Spa where we have not won since 2017 so it feels like there's unfinished business."

Could rubber choice hand initiative to Verstappen?

The only sour note for Mercedes this year arrived in the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone when Verstappen triumphed. The Dutchman drove brilliantly in his Red Bull to take the chequered flag and see off Mercedes' challenge which was thwarted by tyre woes. The all-black machines failed to get on top of the softer compounds – the same selection chosen by Pirelli for this weekend's action. Like Silverstone, the Spa-Francorchamps track is also one of the speediest on the calendar and that, coupled with the soft rubber, could cause Mercedes problems. Verstappen will be ready to strike if the world champions come unstuck again.

One last hurrah for Hamilton's "party mode"

The FIA has confirmed that a qualifying engine power boost – a setting Hamilton has previously referred to as "party mode" – will be outlawed after this weekend's race. Hamilton's Mercedes team have proved the masters of the mode which has helped them to exert a staggering one-lap advantage over the field this season. Indeed, they have taken pole position at all six races. Mercedes' rivals will hope the new FIA directive might allow them to provide a stiffer challenge to the sport's all-conquering team.

Leclerc braced for challenging weekend ahead of Hubert anniversary

The sport will mark the one-year anniversary of Anthoine Hubert's death this weekend. The French driver, 22, was killed following a high-speed pile-up at the top of the fearsome Eau Rouge corner during last year's Formula Two race. Charles Leclerc was close friends with Hubert and took his maiden grand prix win just 24 hours after his death. Speaking ahead of this weekend's race the Ferrari driver said: "The Spa-Francorchamps circuit has a special place in my heart. While it is here that I took my first win, it is also where we lost our friend Anthoine last year. It will be difficult to return to this track and he will be in our thoughts all weekend."

Unpredictable weather forecast

While Hamilton marched to a comprehensive victory at a dry and sunny Spanish Grand Prix, the weather could provide the Briton with a less straightforward time of it. Rain is on the radar to strike the Ardennes throughout the weekend which could help to spice up the show following Mercedes' run of dominance.

amp_article__411734 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-08-26 15:38:00:
html db last update - 2020-08-26 15:38:00 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .