Belgian Grand Prix: Will Max Verstappen win back-to-back races at Spa?

Formula 1 returns from its summer recess with a run of three grands prix in as many weeks at a trio of historic tracks in its European heartlands.

First up is a circuit that is celebrating its centenary and also featured on the inaugural World Championship calendar back in 1950. Belgium’s Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was first used for auto racing in 1922 when local enthusiasts deemed that connected public roads linking the communes of Francorchamps, Malmedy and Stavelot good for a competition. 

Spa swiftly earned a reputation as a challenging and dangerous circuit due to its high-speed nature, unprotected street furniture and unpredictable weather. As motorsport evolved and safety improved, Spa-Francorchamps was renovated, its layout truncated and it became a permanent motor-racing facility. To this day, it remains a firm favourite of drivers.

It has been the scene of several iconic moments throughout its history, including the circuit at which legend Michael Schumacher debuted, won for the first time, and also secured his seventh and final title. 

Could this be Spa’s last tango?

As Formula 1 continues to tap into new markets, bolstered by its growth in popularity, Spa-Francorchamps faces an uncertain future - the Belgian Grand Prix is uncontracted beyond 2022. 

Losing this venue from the calendar would be a shame given the circuit’s history, the esteem in which it is regarded by drivers, and the fact that much-needed renovation and safety enhancements to some turns have finally been completed. 

Last year’s grand prix was of course marred by inclement weather that hung in the region and resulted in Formula 1’s shortest race, with only one lap formally completed to tick a regulatory box. 

Half points were awarded, much to the frustration of some drivers, and Max Verstappen was declared the victor - though all running took place in Safety Car conditions. 

With fans prohibited from the 2020 running due to the pandemic, and 2019’s race taking place under a cloud following the fatal accident of Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert, a clean and enthralling weekend is desirable, particularly if it is going to be a send-off for an iconic venue.

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The Belgian Grand Prix has had four different winners over the last four years. Sebastian Vettel’s brilliant win in 2018 - his penultimate in Formula 1 - was followed a year later by Charles Leclerc’s emotional maiden victory, less than a day after the death of close friend Hubert.

Lewis Hamilton cantered to the win in 2020, his fourth at the Belgian Grand Prix, while last year Verstappen took the honours in the aforementioned sham. 

Reigning champion Verstappen ostensibly enters the event as favourite. He holds an 80-point title advantage, and has won eight of this year’s 13 grands prix, while Red Bull’s RB18 should perform well at the track. 

Leclerc has race-winning experience in Belgium but entered the summer break with just one podium (his Austria win) from a frustrating run of six races in which there were personal mistakes, reliability setbacks and strategic blunders from Ferrari. There is little doubting the performance of Ferrari’s F1-75 on Saturday, but apparently no end to Ferrari’s failure to capitalise on the following Sunday. 

Mercedes continue to chip away at the front-runners and scored successive double podiums, and a pole position, in the build-up to the break.

If they keep up that momentum then there’s every chance Mercedes will be in the mix in Belgium. They are capable of profiting if Red Bull or Ferrari slip up. 

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