25 August 2022
❖ Rumours of a big, big upgrade for Mercedes at the Belgium Grand Prix.
❖ Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has had a disappointing season. Still, there appears to be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel: a possible lifeline from Haas boss Guenther Steiner.
❖ Norbert Haug has slammed Haas for further destabilising its relationship with Mick Schumacher by giving Antonio Giovinazzi Friday practice outings at the forthcoming Grand Prix.
❖ This weekend’s action at Spa-Francorchamps has the potential for quite a bit of upset. After months of speculation, the Belgian Grand Prix marks the first race to enforce the new Technical Directive 039.
❖ Alpine is not ruling out running Oscar Piastri in a Friday practice session this season, despite threatening to demand compensation for his likely 2023 departure.
❖ Max Verstappen has suggested that the ideal number of races for the F1 calendar should reduce and not increased as planned. He said, ‘I think like 16, just pick all the good tracks and leave all the others out.’
❖ Pirelli has warned Formula 1 drivers about the modifications to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. Spa has undergone significant redevelopment work in the 12 months.
