Did you expect something else at Spa? 2023 Belgian GP Review

After going fastest in Qualifying on Friday, Max Verstappen won the F1 Sprint on Saturday. He followed that up with a dominant display in the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday - a race that he won comfortably from 6th place.

Yet another race winning trophy was broken, but only after Verstappen equalled a record held by Fernando Alonso; that of winning a race from maximum different grid starting positions (9). 

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah review the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix - with stats inputs from @f1statsguru. We discuss the relationship between Gianpiero Lambiase and Max Verstappen - and their entertainment over the radio at Spa. Does GP speak as though he's Verstappen's biggest rival whilst being his most-able wingman and ally?

McLaren's loss of pace, Ferrari's podium with Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz's opening lap error, Oscar Piastri's podium in the F1 Sprint followed by a start incident at La Source and more.

Also, Alexander Albon's overtaking moves, Yuki Tsunoda's point for 10th place and in general, the joy of racing around the magnificent Spa Francorchamps. Btw, did Nico Rosberg half-jinx McLaren at Spa? 

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 39)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

# Inside Line F1 Podcast Episode 39: Belgian Grand Prix Review

**Hosts:** Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

**Summary:**

1. **Max Verstappen's Dominance:**

- Max Verstappen continued his dominance by winning the Belgian Grand Prix from P6, equaling Fernando Alonso's record of winning races from the maximum different grid positions (9).
- Verstappen's consistency and ability to deliver ultra-performance were highlighted, especially in contrast to other drivers making errors.
- His impressive tire degradation management was also noted, as seen in a comparison with Oscar Piastri and Pierre Gasly from the sprint race.

2. **Sergio Perez's Surprise Victory:**

- Sergio Perez's victory in Formula 1.5 was a significant surprise, considering his recent struggles and the hype surrounding him earlier in the season.
- His penalty for a racing incident with Lewis Hamilton in the sprint race was questioned, with some arguing that it discouraged fair racing.

3. **McLaren's Loss of Pace:**

- McLaren's lack of pace was a major surprise, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri struggling to match the performance of their rivals.
- The team's difficulties were attributed to their lack of a low-downforce rear wing, which hindered their performance on the high-speed Spa circuit.

4. **Ferrari's Podium with Charles Leclerc:**

- Ferrari secured a podium finish with Charles Leclerc, who drove a strategic race to overcome his grid penalty.
- Carlos Sainz, however, made an error on the opening lap, colliding with Oscar Piastri and causing both drivers to retire.

5. **Oscar Piastri's Impressive Qualifying and Start:**

- Oscar Piastri impressed in qualifying, beating Lando Norris on merit and showcasing his natural talent.
- However, his race ended prematurely due to a collision with Sainz at La Source, highlighting the challenges of racing in Formula One.

6. **Alexander Albon's Overtaking Moves:**

- Alexander Albon made several impressive overtaking moves during the race, showcasing his aggressive driving style.
- His performance was particularly notable considering Williams' struggles this season.

7. **Yuki Tsunoda's Point for 10th Place:**

- Yuki Tsunoda secured a point for AlphaTauri by finishing in 10th place, a positive result for the team.

8. **Nico Rosberg's Half-Jinx on McLaren:**

- Nico Rosberg's visit to the McLaren garage, where he was denied a selfie, was jokingly blamed for Oscar Piastri's retirement and McLaren's poor performance.

9. **Joy of Racing at Spa Francorchamps:**

- The beauty and challenge of racing at the Spa Francorchamps circuit were discussed, with the drivers enjoying the opportunity to push their cars to the limit.

10. **Upcoming Events:**

- An upcoming event on August 9th in Mumbai was announced, featuring a special guest appearance by a successful Indian single-seater racer.

11. **Race Engineer Dynamics:**

- The importance of race engineers in Formula One was highlighted, with examples of how they guide and support drivers throughout the race.
- The dynamic between race engineers and drivers was discussed, with GP and Max Verstappen's relationship being particularly noteworthy.

12. **Pirelli Tire Issues:**

- The poor performance of Pirelli's wet tires was criticized by several drivers, including George Russell and Mario Isola.
- The limited number of wheel rims available to some teams, such as Alpine and Alfa Romeo, was also mentioned.

**Overall:**

The Inside Line F1 Podcast provided an engaging and informative review of the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix, highlighting the major surprises and talking points from the race. The hosts offered insightful analysis and commentary, making the podcast an enjoyable listen for Formula One fans. # Inside Line F1 Podcast: Belgian Grand Prix 2023 Review

## Introduction

- Max Verstappen's dominant victory at the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix, starting from 6th position.
- Verstappen's record-equaling feat of winning a race from the maximum number of different grid starting positions (9), matching Fernando Alonso's record.

## Race Highlights and Analysis

- Gianpiero Lambiase's entertaining radio communication with Verstappen during the race, sparking discussions about their unique relationship.
- McLaren's loss of pace and Ferrari's podium finish with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
- Oscar Piastri's podium in the F1 Sprint followed by a start incident at La Source.
- Alexander Albon's impressive overtaking moves and Yuki Tsunoda's point for 10th place.
- The overall joy of racing around the iconic Spa Francorchamps circuit.

## Controversies and Insights

- Nico Rosberg's comments about McLaren's potential struggles at Spa, which some saw as a jinx.
- The tight championship standings, with Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Carlos Sainz, and Lando Norris closely battling for positions.
- Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen's remarkable consistency, scoring points in every Grand Prix weekend.

## Conclusion

- The excitement of Formula 1.5, focusing on the midfield battles and rising stars.
- Upcoming special episodes of the Inside Line F1 podcast:
- August 7th: Ravi Shastri, Indian cricketing legend, discussing his F1 stories and coaching insights.
- August 9th: An unnamed Indian single-seater racing driver, sharing their experiences and successes.