2009 Belgian Grand Prix Preview

Formula 1 World Championship Round 12 at Spa-Francorchamps

Aug 24, 2009

The 2009 F1 title race continues to be led by Jenson Button, but his Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello has narrowed the gap ahead of the Belgian GP.

Just seven days after the European Grand Prix in Valencia Formula 1 cars will be racing again, on the majestic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in the Ardennes region of Belgium. The battle for the Formula 1 title is between the drivers from Brawn GP and Red Bull.

Belgian Grand Prix History

Grand Prix racing have been staged at Spa-Francorchamps since 1925. Antonio Ascari won the inaugural event for Alfa Romeo, on the original circuit which was considerably longer than the current layout.

Despite being shortened the modern version of Spa retains many of the original corners, including the fearsome Eau Rouge. This high speed uphill sweeper is arguably the best place in the world to watch a Formula 1 car in action.

Michael Schumacher holds the record for the highest number of Belgian Grand Prix victories, winning six times between 1992 and 2002. The late Ayrton Senna was also a master of Spa, winning the event five times during his Formula 1 career.

For many years Spa was absent from the Formula 1 calendar, considered too dangerous for modern Grand Prix machinery. Over the years the circuit has claimed several Grand Prix driver's lives including Richard 'Dick' Seaman, Chris Bristow and Alan Stacey. In 1985 the mercurial young German Stefan Bellof was killed after crashing a Porsche sports car at Eau Rouge. Today's circuit may be safer but it still provides the ultimate challenge for contemporary Formula 1 drivers.

2009 Belgian GP Information and Weather Forecast

2009 Belgian Grand Prix weather forecast: showers on Friday, dry on Saturday and Sunday

2009 Formula 1 Form Guide

The most improved team recently has been McLaren. Lewis Hamilton finished second in Valencia and won the preceding race in Hungary. Victory in Valencia went to Rubens Barrichello, his first of the 2009 Formula 1 season. The experienced Brazilian will be aiming to make it two wins in a row at Spa to put further pressure on his World Championship leading team-mate Jenson Button.

Red Bull had a dismal time in the European Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel had his title hopes damaged by a Renault engine failure, while Mark Webber finished a frustrating race out of the points. They will, however, be looking forward to Spa which should suit their cars.

Kimi Raikkonen has been quietly impressive in his Ferrari recently and will be hoping for a victory before the end of the season. Luca Badoer failed to impress in Valencia, deputising for the injured Felipe Massa. It remains to be seen whether the likeable Italian will be replaced for the Belgian Grand Prix.

It is difficult to see anyone winning at Spa apart from Brawn, Red Bull, McLaren or Ferrari. Fernando Alonso will be pushing as hard as ever in his Renault, while his rookie team-mate Romain Grosjean will be looking to build on a competent debut in Valencia. Toyota will hope to show considerably more pace than they did in the European Grand Prix and Force India still seek a maiden points finish during the 2009 Formula 1 season.

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