In the round-up: Zhou Guanyu says an error with a brake bias adjustment prevented him from reaching Q2 in qualifying.
In brief
Brake bias advice cost me place in Q2 – Zhou
Zhou believes he could have reached Q2 had he not followed a suggestion to move his brake balance forward on his final flying lap. The Alfa Romeo driver was eliminated in 17th, eight tenths of a second away from safety.
However, he had been over two tenths up on Kevin Magnussen, who was the last car safe in 15th, at the end of the Kemmel Straight, but lost time to the Haas over the rest of the lap. “On the last lap, unfortunately, I made a mistake, but also [there was] a little bit miscommunication together,” Zhou explained.
“Already in sector one, half a second up, I think [I] will be easily through. But unfortunately, I got some advice moving forward with the [brake] bias and then I locked up, especially in sector two where there’s more water. So, unfortunate.”
No decision on F1 tyre tender
F1 has not reached a decision on who has won the tender to supply tyres to the series from 2025, despite reports elsewhere to the contrary, a spokesperson for the series confirmed. A new three-year contract is the subject of bids.
Pirelli, which has been F1’s official tyre supplier since 2011, is understood to want to extend its deal. Its predecessor Bridgestone is also believed to be bidding for the contract.
Bahrain to hold 2024 pre-season test again
Bahrain International Circuit will hold the sole pre-season test of the 2024 season the week before the season-opening race at the same track.
The F1 Commission approved plans to hold a single three day test between Wednesday 21st and Friday 23rd February at the Sakhir circuit, the week before the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday 2nd March. It will be the second year that only a single three-day test is held before the season starts.
Bearman heads Prema front row in F2
Ferrari junior driver Oliver Bearman secured pole for the F2 feature race after setting the fastest time on slicks before heavy rain effectively cut the session short.
The Prema driver squeezed in a 2’05.736 on a dry track before rain fell, beating team mate and championship leader Frederik Vesti by just under half a second. After the rain arrived there were no further improvements, allowing Bearman to take his third feature race pole of his rookie season. Victor Martins will start third on Sunday, ahead of Zane Maloney and Theo Pourchaire.
Enzo Fittipaldi will start today’s sprint race from reverse grid pole. Newcomer Joshua Mason spun out at Speaker’s Corner on his first push lap in qualifying, prompting a brief red flag period.
Marti takes F3 pole, Bortoleto 15th
Josep Maria Marti claimed his second F3 feature race pole position around a wet Spa as championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto qualified in the middle of the field.
On a wet but drying track, the three Premas of Zak O’Sullivan, Dino Beganovic and Paul Aron all sat at the top of the times as the chequered flag flew. Marti moved to the top of the times with a 2’22.160, with Bortoleto over a second slower than the Campos driver to fall well outside of the top ten. Leonardo Fornaroli took second on the grid, with Gabriele Mini third for Hitech.
Marti’s pole moves him ahead of O’Sullivan into second place in the driver’s championship, but still over 40 points adrift of leader Bortoleto. Hugh Barter will start on reverse grid pole for today’s sprint race.
Formula E sets new indoor speed record
Formula E have broken the indoor land speed Guinness world record by over 50kph in an official attempt at London’s Excel Arena.
A duel between McLaren Formula E driver Jake Hughes and Lucas di Grassi saw Hughes record a speed of 218.71kph, well about the previous record of 165.2kph. The Excel Arena will play host to the final round of the 2023 Formula E championship this weekend with two races for the London EPrix.
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
F1 responds to licensing fee report (3 News Las Vegas)
Attorney Matthew Hoffmann: ”They (F1) do have a legitimate argument for this in that they’re trying to protect their product. They’re saying, look, if you’re going to host events that are advertising ‘come see F1, come watch the F1 race here in Vegas at our venue’, then we want to make sure that you’re doing it in an appropriate manner.”
L’oeil d’Alain Prost: ‘Alpine m’attriste’ (L’Equipe – French)
Prost: ”Firstly, I must express my attachment to this team. Through its original name, Renault, it allowed me to race and fight for the first time for a world championship. And then, through my involvement in the current structure, the Enstone-Viry team, in recent years. I love this team, and to see it in its current state saddens and disheartens me. It deserves better and possesses all the assets to achieve greatness.”
F1 World Champion Max Verstappen Is Tired of Being the Designated Driver in Heineken Ad (Ad Week)
‘The spot shows Verstappen out drinking with friends, who repeatedly make him serve as the designated driver because the racer is the best driver in the group. He grows increasingly exasperated with chauffeuring the rowdy group through rain and snow, until he begs off by drinking a Heineken. As a friend reluctantly takes the wheel, Verstappen reveals he was actually drinking the brand’s nonalcoholic Heineken 0.0.’
Correa penalised after Spa-Francorchamps Qualifying (Formula 2)
‘The Van Amersfoort Racing driver was found to have impeded Virtuosi Racing’s Jack Doohan during the session at turn 18. After listening to both drivers and examining video evidence, stewards determined that the American driver had unnecessarily impeded Doohan, resulting in the grid penalty. Having been unable to set a time within the 107% rule, Correa will now line up in P22 for Saturday’s sprint race.’
Nissan’s Nato tops FP1 ahead of London finale (Formula E)
‘Nissan’s Norman Nato set the quickest time with a 1m10.765s, in the first practice session of the season finale weekend in London. His team mate and birthday boy, Sacha Fenestraz, joined him in the top three.’
Bortoleto aims to extend Trident’s Spa win record, not thinking about title (Formula Scout)
‘I think it’s all about finishing the races, making the moves when it needs to be done and not taking unnecessary risks. And that was I would say my season so far. I hope I can continue doing the same as I did the whole season, but back on winning because I did win my two first (rounds), but then I didn’t any more.’
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Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
Great start @redbullracing 💪 But still a lot of work to do this weekend ☝️
Thank you everyone for supporting us, especially all of you that stayed out there in the rain today 🇧🇪 #KeepPushing pic.twitter.com/bpKfRVQEbM
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) July 28, 2023
P6 and P7 in quali at Spa. Tricky conditions so that’s a good job by the team which leaves us with plenty of opportunity to score big points on Sunday. Before then, let’s sprint! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/wcwkIXhGlQ
— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) July 28, 2023
If you’re heading to the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend make sure you pack earplugs!
Not for the muted sound of the cars but because, instead of informative commentary while the cars are on the grid, the ‘DJ Performance’ will blast through the speakers again! #Why #WhoWantsIt— Tiff Needell 🏁 (@tiff_tv) July 28, 2023
Motorsport people are the best. I was at my garage today and this guy shows up and show me a picture we took together 13 years ago. And today. 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/Z5m9g4aEWt
— Lucas Di Grassi (@LucasdiGrassi) July 28, 2023
Turn nine caught out several drivers during qualifying, including @KevinMagnussen. #F1 #BelgianGP #RaceFans pic.twitter.com/Gh5GyYY4Xs
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) July 28, 2023
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Kevin, Mandev and Sean Doyle!