Finally, a race at Spa? 2022 Belgian GP Preview

There's just so much to look forward to this weekend. For starters, a race at Spa? After last year's debacle, all it takes to worry fans & Formula 1 alike is a few drops of rain. Also, will drivers approve of the changes made to make the Spa Francorchamps safer? Let's hope that some of the iconic corner haven't lost their character.

Piasco (or Piasco-gate) will hog headlines in the build-up to the weekend. The other talking points will be the changes enforced to control porpoising (or vertical oscillations) & flexi-floors. Will this bring Mercedes in the fight?

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In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil, Sundaram (aka @f1statsguru) and Kunal bring to you the 2022 Belgian GP preview. Can Charles Leclerc take pole & win? That's the question on everyone's minds. The Dutch/Belgian fans will be out in force to support their favourite driver & championship leader, Max Verstappen.

But seriously, will the technical changes bring Mercedes in the fight? Since the last race in Hungary, the reigning Constructors' Champions definitely have momentum on their side. There's a lot to look forward to - including the stats preview segment & why elevation changes are most-talked about when the Formula 1 circus visits the legendary Spa Francorchamps. Tune in!

(Season 2022, Episode 50)

Follow our hosts: Sundaram Ramaswami, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mercedes

**Navigating the Belgian Grand Prix: A Comprehensive Preview**

- The Belgian Grand Prix returns after a long hiatus, and fans are eagerly anticipating the race weekend.

- This episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast features hosts Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah discussing various aspects of the upcoming race.

- Kunal highlights the intrigue surrounding the "Piyashree" controversy, involving Oscar Piastri's contract situation with Alpine and McLaren.

- Soumil expresses his excitement for the race itself, given the unpredictable weather conditions and the possibility of a rain-affected event.

- Steve Slater, a legendary Formula One commentator, shares his insights on the race, emphasizing the importance of avoiding rain and expressing his hope for a full-fledged Grand Prix.

- The hosts discuss the technical changes implemented to control porpoising and flexi-floors, and whether these changes will bring Mercedes back into contention.

- A special race watchalong session is announced, allowing fans to engage with Steve Slater and the podcast hosts during the live broadcast.

- The stats preview segment highlights interesting facts about the Belgian Grand Prix, including its status as the fifth fastest circuit and Mercedes' strong record at the venue.

- Ferrari's mixed record at Spa is discussed, with the team having won only 5 poles in the last 45 races.

- The importance of qualifying well is emphasized, as 38% of races at Spa have been won from pole position.

- The hosts acknowledge the potential for a long gap between Spa races in the future due to the rotation of historical races.

- The 2026 Formula 1 regulations are briefly discussed, with a focus on sustainability and the potential interest from Audi and Porsche.

- The driver market is a hot topic, with speculation about remaining seats and potential driver changes.

- Antonio Giovinazzi's FP1 sessions with Haas are mentioned, as well as the possibility of him serving as a benchmark for Magnussen and Schumacher.

- Kunal shares his favorite Spa memory, recalling Sebastian Vettel's surge at the start of the 2018 race.

- The hosts express their excitement for the race weekend and the unpredictable nature of the Belgian Grand Prix.

# Inside Line F1 Podcast: 2022 Belgian GP Preview

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## Introduction:

- The 2022 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps is highly anticipated, especially after last year's debacle.
- The podcast discusses the safety changes made to the track and whether they will affect the iconic corners' character.
- The "Piasco-gate" controversy and the new regulations to control porpoising and flexi-floors are also key talking points.

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## Spa-Francorchamps Changes and Safety:

- The podcast team expresses hope that the iconic corners of Spa-Francorchamps have retained their character despite the safety modifications.
- The changes aim to improve safety, particularly at Eau Rouge and Radillon, which have witnessed several accidents in the past.
- The new layout is expected to make the track safer without compromising its thrilling nature.

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## Mercedes' Chances with New Regulations:

- The podcast discusses the potential impact of the new regulations on Mercedes' performance.
- The team has shown momentum since the last race in Hungary and could potentially challenge for the win at Spa.
- The technical changes may favor Mercedes, bringing them closer to the front of the grid.

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## Ferrari's Fightback and Leclerc's Prospects:

- The podcast predicts a fightback from Ferrari and Charles Leclerc in the championship battle.
- Leclerc is expected to perform well at Spa, aiming to delay Max Verstappen's title win for as long as possible.
- The team hopes to claw back points and maintain a competitive position in the championship.

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## Mercedes' Lobbying and Journey Back to the Top:

- The podcast highlights Mercedes' successful lobbying efforts to influence the new regulations.
- The team is seen as uniquely positioned, having been the dominant force for so long.
- Their journey back to the top is seen as an intriguing storyline to follow.

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## Watchalong with Steve Slater:

- The podcast team invites listeners to join their race watchalong sessions with legendary Formula 1 commentator Steve Slater.
- The watchalong will provide insights, discussions, and strategies during the race.
- The link to join the watchalong is provided in the podcast description.

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## Conclusion:

- The podcast team encourages listeners to rate, subscribe, and leave feedback.
- They express excitement for the upcoming race and look forward to engaging with listeners during the watchalong.