Calendar questions, Antonelli’s shrinking lead and more Belgian Grand Prix talking points – RaceFans

Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s lead has been minimize in latest races, however will the season be shortened too? Right here on the speaking factors for the Belgian Grand Prix.

F1 going through calendar complications?

As System 1 nears the mid-season break in a season which has already been shortened, will lose extra races later within the 12 months? The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian grands prix have already been known as off on account of the navy motion within the Center East, and the latest resumption of hostilities within the space doesn’t bode effectively for the deliberate ultimate races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

There are studies different collection going through comparable issues will relocate their races and System 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has mentioned there’s a back-up plan for the world championship. However how for much longer can F1 afford to depart it?

Antonelli’s shrinking lead

The wholesome, 66-point margin Andrea Kimi Antonelli loved on the head of the championship simply three rounds in the past has shrunk alarmingly since then, and largely via no fault of his personal. Automotive bother in Spain and Silverstone allowed his staff mate to shut in, although George Russell has had some misfortunes of his personal.

Russell was not on target to chop into Antonelli’s lead at Silverstone till the scenario modified within the latter phases. He admitted after his fortuitous second place at dwelling that he’s nonetheless not on high of Mercedes’ automotive – will that change on the observe the place he gained ‘on the street’ earlier than being disqualified two years in the past?

Verstappen’s rising ire

Max Verstappen has all the time thrived on the super-fast Spa-Francorchamps, his ‘different’ dwelling circuit. However the excessive pace observe is more likely to exacerbate every little thing he dislikes in regards to the present technology of automobiles.

He made his unhappiness together with his Pink Bull clear at Silverstone after he spun out late within the race. This might effectively be one other testing weekend.

When will Hulkenberg’s luck change?

Gabriel Bortoleto returned to the factors locations at Silverstone, including to Audi’s tally for the primary time because the season-opener. However his staff mate Nico Hulkenberg suffered but extra automotive bother in an more and more irritating season.

The motive force who’s frequently been on the fringes of the factors seems to be misplaced on the backside of the standings on zero with the Cadillac drivers and Lance Stroll. Absolutely his luck has to alter quickly?

Silverstone’s flat end fall-out

The disappointing conclusion to the British Grand Prix, with the sector trundling round behind the Security Automotive, left many annoyed, not least as a result of System One Administration’s tv graphics seemingly incorrectly informed the world the race was going to be restarted.

How ought to F1 deal with comparable eventualities sooner or later? The size of time taken to maneuver lapped automobiles previous the Security Automotive induced the delay once more. Sending the lapped automobiles to the again of the sector would create an apparent and gross unfairness – drivers who had pitted to alter tyres and fallen off the lead lap consequently could be vastly deprived – but this hasn’t stopped some pundits insisting it’s the solely attainable resolution.

The easier various – that F1 might simply go away the lapped automobiles the place they’re and keep away from the headache – is one they appear curiously reluctant to countenance. However whether or not they’re making an attempt to place the present or the game first, neither was well-served at Silverstone.