After the two-week F1 “summer break”, the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team returns to the race track this coming weekend, this time at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix, looking to carry on its form of the first half of the season and make another run on the points positions.
However, with Charles Leclerc having failed to score in the last three races, the Ferrari junior driver, who has impressed everyone during his rookie season in F1, will be looking to get his season back on track and put himself in the shop window as the Scuderia dithers as to whether to promote him to a race seat or retain Kimi Raikkonen for another season.
In fact, neither Leclerc nor team mate Marcus Ericsson scored points in the last race, the Hungarian Grand Prix, so the team will be looking this weekend to add to the 18 points they have already picked up this season although it seems most likely that they will eventually finish where they currently stand in the constructors’ championship, in ninth place.
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, at a fraction over 7 km per lap, is the longest on the calendar. The track demands high-speed cornering performance and straight-line speed, hence aerodynamic efficiency and power output. Besides stability and reactiveness of the car, traction and braking stability are also important factors. With often unpredictable weather conditions, this race weekend is one that demands high flexibility from teams in how they manage the ever-changing conditions.
Marcus Ericsson
“We’re off to Belgium for the first race after the break. We are coming back recharged after a nice summer, and it is great to kick-off the second half of the season at one of the best tracks on the calendar – the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. It is uniquely challenging and always a great circuit to drive on. We have the opportunity to build on a strong first half of the season, on a track that should suit us quite well. The unpredictable weather conditions could add an extra twist and make it even more exciting to race there. I look forward to the weekend.”
Charles Leclerc
“Although it was nice to have some time off and review the first half of the season, it is good to return to racing. The most important thing will be to get back in the rhythm as quickly as possible, and as a team, to regroup and focus on our target, which is to continue making progress as we did during the first half of the season. The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is a very special one. The lap is very long, and it has all different kinds of corners, which makes it interesting to drive on. I look forward to being back in the car there.”
Photos: Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team - 2018 FIA F1 World Championship
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