Ted's Podbook | Belgian GP - the wettest Podbook so far!

Ted Kravitz is braving the rain to look ahead to this weekend's Belgian GP.

How will the wet weather affect Qualifying, the Sprint and the Grand Prix in Spa?

Will Mercedes be able to get close to Red Bull and can McLaren keep up their great form?

Ted provides all the latest!

In this podcast episode, Ted Kravitz provides an in-depth preview of the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix weekend, amidst challenging weather conditions and the anticipation of a thrilling sprint race format. He engages in conversations with various Formula One drivers and team members to gather their perspectives and insights on the upcoming race.

1. Weather Forecast and Its Impact:

- The podcast begins with Ted Kravitz highlighting the torrential rain and windy conditions at the Spa circuit, making it a wet and challenging weekend for the drivers.
- He emphasizes the impact of the weather on qualifying, the sprint race, and the Grand Prix, raising questions about the strategies teams will adopt to tackle the wet track.

2. Max Verstappen's Optimism:

- Ted interviews Max Verstappen, who expresses his excitement for the Belgian GP, considering it his home race due to his Dutch heritage.
- Verstappen remains positive despite his qualifying struggles in Hungary and aims to perform well at Spa, a track that suits the Red Bull car.

3. Sergio Perez's Resurgence:

- Sergio Perez discusses his improved form after a difficult start to the season. He attributes his resurgence to a setup change that has made him more comfortable with the car.
- Perez emphasizes the importance of securing podium finishes consistently and aims to maintain his momentum throughout the remaining races.

4. Lewis Hamilton's Mood and Safety Concerns:

- Ted notes Lewis Hamilton's subdued mood during the press conference, possibly influenced by the weather or a challenging journey to the track.
- Hamilton remains focused on his job and highlights the importance of driver safety in wet conditions, leaving the decision-making to the FIA.
- Several drivers, including Carlos Sainz and George Russell, express concerns about visibility and safety in the wet and call for the FIA to make strong decisions if necessary.

5. Spa Circuit Safety Discussions:

- Ted addresses the ongoing discussions about the safety of the Spa circuit, particularly the Eau Rouge and Radillon sequence.
- He acknowledges the tragic accidents that have occurred in the past and the need for potential changes to improve safety.
- However, most drivers trust the FIA to make the right decisions regarding safety measures and express confidence in the organization's ability to ensure their well-being.

6. Charles Leclerc and Ferrari's Struggles:

- Charles Leclerc speaks about Ferrari's recent poor performance and the team's efforts to identify the underlying issues.
- He emphasizes the need for a solid performance at Spa to regain momentum before the summer break.

7. Team Personnel Changes:

- Ted reports the confirmed departure of Laurent Mekies, Ferrari's sporting director, who will join AlphaTauri as team boss.
- Diego Ioverno, Ferrari's chief mechanic, is appointed as the new sporting director, a well-respected and experienced figure within the paddock.

8. McLaren and Rookie Excitement:

- Lando Norris apologizes for accidentally breaking the Hungarian Grand Prix trophy during the podium celebrations.
- Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant, McLaren's rookie drivers, express confidence in their ability to adapt quickly to the Spa circuit despite limited practice time.

9. Daniel Ricciardo's Optimism with AlphaTauri:

- Daniel Ricciardo discusses his positive outlook on his new team, AlphaTauri, and highlights the car's lack of significant vices.
- He believes that once he becomes more familiar with the car, he can make improvements and deliver better results.

10. Zhou Guanyu's Start-Line Issue:

- Zhou Guanyu explains the rear brake temperature sensor issue that affected his race start in Hungary, resulting in a loss of power and preventing him from capitalizing on his strong qualifying position.

11. Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso's Struggles:

- Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso acknowledge that Aston Martin has taken a wrong direction with their setup and are working to rectify the issue.
- They express frustration over the loss of pace and aim to regain their competitive edge.

12. F1 Academy Expansion:

- Lewis Hamilton praises the expansion of the F1 Academy, a series dedicated to female racing drivers, and its inclusion of liveries from all F1 teams.
- He emphasizes the importance of providing proper coverage and visibility for the series to encourage more female participation in motorsports.

Conclusion:

Ted Kravitz wraps up the podcast by highlighting the upcoming sprint weekend format, with practice on Friday, qualifying on Friday evening, sprint qualifying on Saturday, and the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday. He encourages listeners to join Sky Sports F1 throughout the weekend for comprehensive coverage of the race.