The likelihood is increasing that the 2026 World Endurance Championship will conclude in Europe. The organizers of the WEC, the French company Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM), have to once again adjust the season calendar due to the sharp escalation of the situation in the Middle East.
It is about the fact that the stages in Qatar and Bahrain will be replaced by races in Barcelona and Monza, and last weekend in São Paulo, the championship teams already received the revised version of the calendar, although it still needs to be approved at the upcoming meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council scheduled for July 23.
In the spring, LMEM already had to make urgent changes to the season calendar, which ultimately started not in Qatar, but in Imola. Now, after the September "6 Hours of Fuji," it is proposed to return to Europe and hold a race in Barcelona on October 18.
Then, according to the new plan, the season finale will take place on November 7 in Monza – this date was originally scheduled for the "8 Hours of Bahrain."
The difficulty is that the WEC stage at the Catalan circuit will coincide with the finale of the European GT World Challenge series, which will take place in Portimão. About two dozen drivers compete in both championships, as do the teams WRT, Garage 59, and AF Corse.
As a result, the SRO Motorsports Group, the promoters of the leading European GT3 racing series, have to find ways to minimize the consequences of such unpleasant overlaps. One option suggests holding the GT Challenge race on Saturday, October 17, so that its participants can make it to the start of the WEC stage in Barcelona the next day.
It is said that Stefan Ratel, the promoter of the GT World Challenge, is willing to go for this, for which LMEM is very grateful to him. But the consequences of the WEC calendar adjustment do not end there: if the races in Qatar and Bahrain were supposed to last 8 and 10 hours respectively, then the stages in Monza and Barcelona can last a maximum of 6 hours – taking into account both the seasonal factor and the characteristics of these tracks.
According to the WEC regulations, the winners of such races receive only the standard 25 points, while more prolonged stages award 38 prize points. Accordingly, some drivers and teams will find it much more difficult to make up for the gap from their competitors if they were hoping to improve their standings towards the end of the season.
It is about the fact that the stages in Qatar and Bahrain will be replaced by races in Barcelona and Monza, and last weekend in São Paulo, the championship teams already received the revised version of the calendar, although it still needs to be approved at the upcoming meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council scheduled for July 23.
In the spring, LMEM already had to make urgent changes to the season calendar, which ultimately started not in Qatar, but in Imola. Now, after the September "6 Hours of Fuji," it is proposed to return to Europe and hold a race in Barcelona on October 18.
Then, according to the new plan, the season finale will take place on November 7 in Monza – this date was originally scheduled for the "8 Hours of Bahrain."
The difficulty is that the WEC stage at the Catalan circuit will coincide with the finale of the European GT World Challenge series, which will take place in Portimão. About two dozen drivers compete in both championships, as do the teams WRT, Garage 59, and AF Corse.
As a result, the SRO Motorsports Group, the promoters of the leading European GT3 racing series, have to find ways to minimize the consequences of such unpleasant overlaps. One option suggests holding the GT Challenge race on Saturday, October 17, so that its participants can make it to the start of the WEC stage in Barcelona the next day.
It is said that Stefan Ratel, the promoter of the GT World Challenge, is willing to go for this, for which LMEM is very grateful to him. But the consequences of the WEC calendar adjustment do not end there: if the races in Qatar and Bahrain were supposed to last 8 and 10 hours respectively, then the stages in Monza and Barcelona can last a maximum of 6 hours – taking into account both the seasonal factor and the characteristics of these tracks.
According to the WEC regulations, the winners of such races receive only the standard 25 points, while more prolonged stages award 38 prize points. Accordingly, some drivers and teams will find it much more difficult to make up for the gap from their competitors if they were hoping to improve their standings towards the end of the season.
Team principal of Mercedes Toto Wolff is eagerly awaiting the Belgian Grand Prix…
Toto Wolff: “The last few races have shown our strengths – and those moments we still need to work on. The car allows us to compete at the front, earn a lot of points, although we haven’t always been able to realize its potential. Reliability issues have cost us many points, and in such a tight championship battle, that is unacceptable. What’s the point of speed if we’re not earning points?
Spa is one of the most challenging tracks on the calendar. As in Silverstone, energy management will play an important role, but the configuration has its own demands. Races here are usually interesting, but a lot will be decided in qualifying.
This is the last of two consecutive races before the summer break, and we want to go on vacation in good shape. Our goal is to perform cleanly, ensure the necessary reliability, and convert the car’s potential into points that it is capable of earning. We have missed a lot lately. But starting from this weekend, we need to do everything to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.”
Toto Wolff: “The last few races have shown our strengths – and those moments we still need to work on. The car allows us to compete at the front, earn a lot of points, although we haven’t always been able to realize its potential. Reliability issues have cost us many points, and in such a tight championship battle, that is unacceptable. What’s the point of speed if we’re not earning points?
Spa is one of the most challenging tracks on the calendar. As in Silverstone, energy management will play an important role, but the configuration has its own demands. Races here are usually interesting, but a lot will be decided in qualifying.
This is the last of two consecutive races before the summer break, and we want to go on vacation in good shape. Our goal is to perform cleanly, ensure the necessary reliability, and convert the car’s potential into points that it is capable of earning. We have missed a lot lately. But starting from this weekend, we need to do everything to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.”
The forecast for the weekend in Spa promises changeable weather. On Friday, it will be hot, with temperatures rising to 26 degrees during the day, accompanied by gusty northeast winds and a 10% chance of precipitation. On Saturday, the heat will subside, and the wind will strengthen. During the day, it will only be +23°C. On Sunday, it will be cloudy and +20°C. The chance of precipitation is around 10% throughout the day. Last year, the weekend in Spa was dry, except for the Sunday race.
Max Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen commented on the rumors about the possible departure of the four-time world champion from Red Bull Racing before the race weekend in Spa. Vermeulen reminded of Max's words that he would like to end his career in Formula 1 with the current team.
Raymond Vermeulen: "A lot has been written about this topic lately. However, the truth is that Max wants to finish his career at Red Bull. He has a contract until the end of 2028, and he would like to see it through.
The fact that there is a clause in his contract allowing for an early exit does not mean that we will activate that clause. We could have activated it in recent years, but we did not."
Commenting on the meeting in Amsterdam with former Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, Vermeulen was brief: "It was a private meeting, planned quite some time ago. Additionally, Max's sister is getting married."
Raymond Vermeulen: "A lot has been written about this topic lately. However, the truth is that Max wants to finish his career at Red Bull. He has a contract until the end of 2028, and he would like to see it through.
The fact that there is a clause in his contract allowing for an early exit does not mean that we will activate that clause. We could have activated it in recent years, but we did not."
Commenting on the meeting in Amsterdam with former Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, Vermeulen was brief: "It was a private meeting, planned quite some time ago. Additionally, Max's sister is getting married."
The Belgian Grand Prix hasn't started yet, but Lando Norris will already lose ten places on the grid for Sunday's race. Such a penalty will be imposed on the McLaren driver because the team decided to change the control electronics unit on his car, installing the fourth one when only three replacements are allowed for the season. "The first control electronics unit on car number 1 failed in China, which prevented Lando from starting the race," McLaren's statement said. "The second control electronics unit on Lando's car, installed in Japan, required removal for repairs after issues arose during free practice. This forced us to switch to the third and final control electronics unit within the allowed limit. After the Japanese Grand Prix, the second unit was repaired, but it failed again during the second practice in Monaco, after which we excluded it from the available components. The unit we installed in Japan and used in every session after Miami worked reliably. However, since then, Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains has implemented a number of solutions to improve the reliability of their new control electronics systems. To take advantage of these improvements, we need to install a new component and incur a penalty of ten grid positions for Lando. We decided to do this in Belgium, where overtaking is relatively easy, rather than at the next two rounds in Hungary and Zandvoort. Now we plan to use this fourth electronics unit until the end of the season to maximize reliability while minimizing sporting penalties for Lando."
Red Bull Racing drivers are preparing for a challenging Belgian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen and Isaac Hadjar do not expect to be among the leaders this upcoming weekend.
Max Verstappen: "It's good that we had a little break. The weekend in Silverstone was tough, and last week I was at the team's base working on the simulator.
As for Spa, it's my favorite track on the calendar, and I'm always happy to return to it. I think this time the race might be more difficult due to restrictions related to the use of electric power on the long straights, but historically we've always been strong here, so you never know how it will turn out.
This weekend I will again start with a specially designed helmet. It's a tribute to our fans who have supported me in Spa for many years."
Isaac Hadjar: "Last weekend I was at Goodwood, where I got to drive the RB17 and RB9. For any driver, the sound of such cars is something special, so I had an amazing experience.
In the two-race series before the summer break, my team and I intend to do everything possible. Throughout the European part of the season, I've been performing consistently, and now I want to maintain that level and earn even more points.
Spa is a legendary track. Due to the new regulations, it will feel quite different, and for us drivers, it will be a new challenge. In terms of characteristics, it is similar to Silverstone, so we do not expect to be among the leaders. But I hope we can use everything we learned in the last race this weekend."
Max Verstappen: "It's good that we had a little break. The weekend in Silverstone was tough, and last week I was at the team's base working on the simulator.
As for Spa, it's my favorite track on the calendar, and I'm always happy to return to it. I think this time the race might be more difficult due to restrictions related to the use of electric power on the long straights, but historically we've always been strong here, so you never know how it will turn out.
This weekend I will again start with a specially designed helmet. It's a tribute to our fans who have supported me in Spa for many years."
Isaac Hadjar: "Last weekend I was at Goodwood, where I got to drive the RB17 and RB9. For any driver, the sound of such cars is something special, so I had an amazing experience.
In the two-race series before the summer break, my team and I intend to do everything possible. Throughout the European part of the season, I've been performing consistently, and now I want to maintain that level and earn even more points.
Spa is a legendary track. Due to the new regulations, it will feel quite different, and for us drivers, it will be a new challenge. In terms of characteristics, it is similar to Silverstone, so we do not expect to be among the leaders. But I hope we can use everything we learned in the last race this weekend."
Before the Belgian Grand Prix, Williams' chief race engineer Paul Williams spoke about the factors that could influence the weekend's proceedings…
Question: What are the main technical challenges of the Spa circuit?
Paul Williams: Spa is one of the most challenging and diverse circuits, combining long straights with fast and slow corners. The car needs to be quick on the straights but also handle sharp direction changes well. In the famous Eau Rouge, the height and travel of the suspension need to be precisely tuned. Additionally, the weather always remains unpredictable – rain can come at any moment during this Grand Prix.
Question: How will the 2026 regulations affect the approach to the weekend?
Paul Williams: Spa is the most energy-consuming circuit we've seen this year. Approaching Eau Rouge, you can change your trajectory; in 2026, five speed limit zones were added, and all of them remain active in wet conditions.
Question: What strategic considerations should be taken into account during the race?
Paul Williams: Spa is the second easiest circuit this year for overtaking, but the ability to conserve battery charge will be crucial. This shifts the balance of priorities towards the race. It is expected that the race will be run with one pit stop – and the main question will be which tires to start on – Medium or Soft.
Moreover, there is a high likelihood of a safety car deployment at Spa, and the weather often changes. Teams need to react quickly to changing conditions, which will play a very important role.
Question: What are the main technical challenges of the Spa circuit?
Paul Williams: Spa is one of the most challenging and diverse circuits, combining long straights with fast and slow corners. The car needs to be quick on the straights but also handle sharp direction changes well. In the famous Eau Rouge, the height and travel of the suspension need to be precisely tuned. Additionally, the weather always remains unpredictable – rain can come at any moment during this Grand Prix.
Question: How will the 2026 regulations affect the approach to the weekend?
Paul Williams: Spa is the most energy-consuming circuit we've seen this year. Approaching Eau Rouge, you can change your trajectory; in 2026, five speed limit zones were added, and all of them remain active in wet conditions.
Question: What strategic considerations should be taken into account during the race?
Paul Williams: Spa is the second easiest circuit this year for overtaking, but the ability to conserve battery charge will be crucial. This shifts the balance of priorities towards the race. It is expected that the race will be run with one pit stop – and the main question will be which tires to start on – Medium or Soft.
Moreover, there is a high likelihood of a safety car deployment at Spa, and the weather often changes. Teams need to react quickly to changing conditions, which will play a very important role.
Before the Belgian Grand Prix, Williams' chief race engineer Paul Williams spoke about the factors that could influence the weekend's proceedings...
Question: What are the main technical challenges of the Spa circuit?
Paul Williams: Spa is one of the most challenging and diverse circuits, combining long straights with fast and slow corners. The car needs to be quick on the straights but also handle sharp direction changes well. In the famous Eau Rouge, the height and travel of the suspension need to be precisely tuned. Additionally, the weather always remains unpredictable – rain can come at any moment during this Grand Prix.
Question: How will the 2026 regulations affect the approach to the weekend?
Paul Williams: Spa is the most energy-demanding circuit we've seen this year. Approaching Eau Rouge, you can change the trajectory, and in 2026, five speed limit zones were added, all of which remain active in wet conditions.
Question: What strategic considerations should be taken into account during the race?
Paul Williams: Spa is the second easiest circuit this year for overtaking, but the ability to conserve battery charge will be crucial. This shifts the balance of priorities towards the race. It is expected that the race will take place with one pit stop – and the main question will be which tires to start on – Medium or Soft.
Moreover, there is a high likelihood of a safety car deployment at Spa, and the weather often changes. Teams need to react quickly to changing conditions, which will play a very important role.
Question: What are the main technical challenges of the Spa circuit?
Paul Williams: Spa is one of the most challenging and diverse circuits, combining long straights with fast and slow corners. The car needs to be quick on the straights but also handle sharp direction changes well. In the famous Eau Rouge, the height and travel of the suspension need to be precisely tuned. Additionally, the weather always remains unpredictable – rain can come at any moment during this Grand Prix.
Question: How will the 2026 regulations affect the approach to the weekend?
Paul Williams: Spa is the most energy-demanding circuit we've seen this year. Approaching Eau Rouge, you can change the trajectory, and in 2026, five speed limit zones were added, all of which remain active in wet conditions.
Question: What strategic considerations should be taken into account during the race?
Paul Williams: Spa is the second easiest circuit this year for overtaking, but the ability to conserve battery charge will be crucial. This shifts the balance of priorities towards the race. It is expected that the race will take place with one pit stop – and the main question will be which tires to start on – Medium or Soft.
Moreover, there is a high likelihood of a safety car deployment at Spa, and the weather often changes. Teams need to react quickly to changing conditions, which will play a very important role.
On the eve of the Belgian Grand Prix, the FIA announced changes to the track and confirmed the locations of the activation zones for the overtake mode (OT) and SM (Straight Mode) zones. Compared to last year, the following changes have been made at Spa:
New gates have been installed on the right side at the exit of the pit lane;
The protective wall has been extended on the right side before the second turn;
Special grooves have been cut into the asphalt on the Kemmel straight between the fourth and fifth turns to improve water drainage during rain;
The top layer of asphalt has been partially removed at the 14th turn to eliminate surface irregularities;
A section of artificial grass has been removed and replaced with asphalt behind the inner curb at the 5th turn;
The height of the inner curb has been reduced at the 18th turn.
There is one overtaking mode zone on the Belgian track. The detection point for this zone is located at the entrance to the 19th turn. If a driver is within one second of the opponent's car at the measurement point, they will be able to activate the overtake mode, receiving an additional 0.5 MJ of electrical energy. The activation point for the overtake mode is 130 meters after the 19th turn.
The SM zones are divided into two subsections – zones where active aerodynamics are used under normal tire grip conditions (both the rear and front wings can be opened) and under reduced grip conditions (on a wet track, only the front wing can be opened).
Under normal grip conditions, active aerodynamics can be used in sections that begin 190 meters after the 19th turn, 140 meters after the 1st, 60 meters after the 4th, 140 meters after the 15th, and 80 meters after the 17th.
Under reduced grip conditions, active aerodynamics can be used in sections that begin 240 meters after the 19th turn, 195 meters after the 1st, 360 meters after the 4th, 190 meters after the 15th, and 110 meters after the 17th.
New gates have been installed on the right side at the exit of the pit lane;
The protective wall has been extended on the right side before the second turn;
Special grooves have been cut into the asphalt on the Kemmel straight between the fourth and fifth turns to improve water drainage during rain;
The top layer of asphalt has been partially removed at the 14th turn to eliminate surface irregularities;
A section of artificial grass has been removed and replaced with asphalt behind the inner curb at the 5th turn;
The height of the inner curb has been reduced at the 18th turn.
There is one overtaking mode zone on the Belgian track. The detection point for this zone is located at the entrance to the 19th turn. If a driver is within one second of the opponent's car at the measurement point, they will be able to activate the overtake mode, receiving an additional 0.5 MJ of electrical energy. The activation point for the overtake mode is 130 meters after the 19th turn.
The SM zones are divided into two subsections – zones where active aerodynamics are used under normal tire grip conditions (both the rear and front wings can be opened) and under reduced grip conditions (on a wet track, only the front wing can be opened).
Under normal grip conditions, active aerodynamics can be used in sections that begin 190 meters after the 19th turn, 140 meters after the 1st, 60 meters after the 4th, 140 meters after the 15th, and 80 meters after the 17th.
Under reduced grip conditions, active aerodynamics can be used in sections that begin 240 meters after the 19th turn, 195 meters after the 1st, 360 meters after the 4th, 190 meters after the 15th, and 110 meters after the 17th.
On the eve of the Belgian Grand Prix, the FIA announced changes to the track and confirmed the locations of the activation zones for the Overtake Mode (OT) and SM (Straight Mode) zones. Compared to last year, the following changes have been made at Spa:
New gates have been installed on the right side at the pit lane exit;
The safety wall has been extended on the right side before the second turn;
Special grooves have been cut into the asphalt on the Kemmel straight between the fourth and fifth turns to improve water drainage during rain;
The top layer of asphalt has been partially removed at the 14th turn to eliminate surface irregularities;
A section of artificial grass has been removed and replaced with asphalt behind the curb at the 5th turn;
The height of the inner curb has been reduced at the 18th turn.
There is one overtaking mode zone on the Belgian track. The detection point for this zone is located at the entrance to the 19th turn. If a driver is within one second of the competitor's car at the measurement point, they will be able to activate the overtaking mode, receiving an additional 0.5 MJ of electrical energy. The activation point for the overtaking mode is 130 meters after the 19th turn.
The SM zones are divided into two subsections – zones where active aerodynamics are used under normal tire grip conditions (the rear and front wings can be opened) and under reduced grip conditions (on a wet track, only the front wing can be opened).
Under normal grip conditions, active aerodynamics can be used in sections that begin 190 meters after the 19th turn, 140 meters after the 1st, 60 meters after the 4th, 140 meters after the 15th, and 80 meters after the 17th.
Under reduced grip conditions, active aerodynamics can be used in sections that begin 240 meters after the 19th turn, 195 meters after the 1st, 360 meters after the 4th, 190 meters after the 15th, and 110 meters after the 17th.
New gates have been installed on the right side at the pit lane exit;
The safety wall has been extended on the right side before the second turn;
Special grooves have been cut into the asphalt on the Kemmel straight between the fourth and fifth turns to improve water drainage during rain;
The top layer of asphalt has been partially removed at the 14th turn to eliminate surface irregularities;
A section of artificial grass has been removed and replaced with asphalt behind the curb at the 5th turn;
The height of the inner curb has been reduced at the 18th turn.
There is one overtaking mode zone on the Belgian track. The detection point for this zone is located at the entrance to the 19th turn. If a driver is within one second of the competitor's car at the measurement point, they will be able to activate the overtaking mode, receiving an additional 0.5 MJ of electrical energy. The activation point for the overtaking mode is 130 meters after the 19th turn.
The SM zones are divided into two subsections – zones where active aerodynamics are used under normal tire grip conditions (the rear and front wings can be opened) and under reduced grip conditions (on a wet track, only the front wing can be opened).
Under normal grip conditions, active aerodynamics can be used in sections that begin 190 meters after the 19th turn, 140 meters after the 1st, 60 meters after the 4th, 140 meters after the 15th, and 80 meters after the 17th.
Under reduced grip conditions, active aerodynamics can be used in sections that begin 240 meters after the 19th turn, 195 meters after the 1st, 360 meters after the 4th, 190 meters after the 15th, and 110 meters after the 17th.
Before the start of the race weekend in Spa, Valtteri Bottas commented on the rumors that Cadillac is looking for a replacement for him for the next season. The Finn assures that he should not be counted among the drivers whose future is in question.
Valtteri Bottas: "Rumors are part of Formula 1. Sometimes headlines appear that do not correspond to reality, but that's how it is. Especially now, with social media, people quickly pick up such messages, which spread across the network instantly.
The main thing is that I know how things are for me and how things are for the team. As soon as these rumors appeared, the team immediately told me that they were completely untrue. I understand my situation well, so I take it calmly. This is not something new for me, as I have faced similar stories throughout my career. At some point, every driver goes through something like this.
So this year, I am not participating in the traditional rumor season about transfers."
Valtteri Bottas: "Rumors are part of Formula 1. Sometimes headlines appear that do not correspond to reality, but that's how it is. Especially now, with social media, people quickly pick up such messages, which spread across the network instantly.
The main thing is that I know how things are for me and how things are for the team. As soon as these rumors appeared, the team immediately told me that they were completely untrue. I understand my situation well, so I take it calmly. This is not something new for me, as I have faced similar stories throughout my career. At some point, every driver goes through something like this.
So this year, I am not participating in the traditional rumor season about transfers."
We mentioned that Red Bull Racing is keeping an eye on Oliver Berman in case Max Verstappen decides to leave the team. At Spa, journalists asked the Haas driver what he thinks about this.
Oliver Berman: "It's nice to hear such talks. Red Bull has achieved incredible success, so even the mere connection with this team, even if it's just rumors, is very pleasant. But, as I said, it's just rumors, and right now I'm fully focused on my work at Haas.
In any case, I can't make such decisions on my own. Ferrari believed in me from the very beginning, even in Formula 3. In 2024, the team put me behind the wheel of their car, and largely thanks to Ferrari, I'm here now. At the moment, I enjoy working at Haas, and the faster I go now, the easier it will be for me in the future."
Oliver Berman: "It's nice to hear such talks. Red Bull has achieved incredible success, so even the mere connection with this team, even if it's just rumors, is very pleasant. But, as I said, it's just rumors, and right now I'm fully focused on my work at Haas.
In any case, I can't make such decisions on my own. Ferrari believed in me from the very beginning, even in Formula 3. In 2024, the team put me behind the wheel of their car, and largely thanks to Ferrari, I'm here now. At the moment, I enjoy working at Haas, and the faster I go now, the easier it will be for me in the future."
Yesterday, the Argentina national team defeated England in the semifinals of the World Cup, and it is quite logical that Franco Colapinto was asked questions not only about Formula 1 in Spa. The Argentine Alpine driver does not hide that he is genuinely happy for his compatriots…
Franco Colapinto: “To be honest, in the end, it’s just a football match, but a very special match! It’s not just a game, and many different factors related to this encounter influenced the course of events in the confrontation with England. The Argentina national team hasn’t played against England in a long time, and we are all very happy that our team won.
I am happy for them, for Lionel Messi, and I am proud that they never gave up, demonstrating true Argentine spirit. When I watched our team play, at times I couldn’t hold back my emotions. It was truly an impressive spectacle. And I am very proud to be Argentine! I am happy for our team; they deserved this victory. And of course, all of Argentina is very happy right now, and it’s just wonderful!
But in the final match against Spain, our team will have a tough time. I’m sure that during this match I will be much more nervous than during the race in Spa… We Spaniards speak the same language, and when exchanging insults, players understand each other well, so the match promises to be interesting! Argentina and Spain knocked out the teams of England and France on their way to the final, and this is the best final that could possibly be imagined!
In general, speaking about the upcoming Sunday, I am looking forward to it, although I relate to the race to a lesser extent (laughs). As for the Belgian Grand Prix, even before the start of the season, we anticipated that it would be most difficult to manage energy consumption in Spa, but at this stage of the championship, we already more or less understand how to act to achieve the best possible results on the lap.”
Franco Colapinto: “To be honest, in the end, it’s just a football match, but a very special match! It’s not just a game, and many different factors related to this encounter influenced the course of events in the confrontation with England. The Argentina national team hasn’t played against England in a long time, and we are all very happy that our team won.
I am happy for them, for Lionel Messi, and I am proud that they never gave up, demonstrating true Argentine spirit. When I watched our team play, at times I couldn’t hold back my emotions. It was truly an impressive spectacle. And I am very proud to be Argentine! I am happy for our team; they deserved this victory. And of course, all of Argentina is very happy right now, and it’s just wonderful!
But in the final match against Spain, our team will have a tough time. I’m sure that during this match I will be much more nervous than during the race in Spa… We Spaniards speak the same language, and when exchanging insults, players understand each other well, so the match promises to be interesting! Argentina and Spain knocked out the teams of England and France on their way to the final, and this is the best final that could possibly be imagined!
In general, speaking about the upcoming Sunday, I am looking forward to it, although I relate to the race to a lesser extent (laughs). As for the Belgian Grand Prix, even before the start of the season, we anticipated that it would be most difficult to manage energy consumption in Spa, but at this stage of the championship, we already more or less understand how to act to achieve the best possible results on the lap.”
On Thursday in Spa, Oscar Piastri put an end to rumors about his possible departure from McLaren at the end of the season. The Australian driver assured that he will continue to race for the Woking team.
In response to a direct question about whether we will see him behind the wheel of a McLaren in 2027, Oscar said: "Yes. I didn't even know that this topic was being discussed at all.
Of course, I have seen and heard some rumors, but I am quite satisfied with my position and the situation I am in. Zak Brown and Andrea Stella have supported me well in this situation and assured me that everything is fine.
It is obvious that Max Verstappen is not very happy with his position right now and is considering various options. Last year, there was a similar story with him and Mercedes, so there is nothing new here. I am very happy with my position and how my career is developing.
The rumors don't particularly bother me. It is important to understand how things are and what is happening in the driver market, and any available information is useful.
I trust the team – what they tell me and that they believe in me. Ultimately, that is all that matters to me."
In response to a direct question about whether we will see him behind the wheel of a McLaren in 2027, Oscar said: "Yes. I didn't even know that this topic was being discussed at all.
Of course, I have seen and heard some rumors, but I am quite satisfied with my position and the situation I am in. Zak Brown and Andrea Stella have supported me well in this situation and assured me that everything is fine.
It is obvious that Max Verstappen is not very happy with his position right now and is considering various options. Last year, there was a similar story with him and Mercedes, so there is nothing new here. I am very happy with my position and how my career is developing.
The rumors don't particularly bother me. It is important to understand how things are and what is happening in the driver market, and any available information is useful.
I trust the team – what they tell me and that they believe in me. Ultimately, that is all that matters to me."
At Silverstone, Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly earned three points between them, while their rivals from Racing Bulls earned five times more, allowing the Faenza team to minimize the gap to Alpine F1 in the Constructors' Championship. Pierre Gasly has to admit that the rivals have been performing better lately…
Pierre Gasly: "Racing Bulls has looked very confident for several weekends in a row – I think they have scored points with both cars in four consecutive races. Certainly, this team is doing well – better than we have been lately.
It will be tough for us in Spa, as Racing Bulls is performing very well. That doesn’t mean we can’t overtake them. I don’t want to say that we will be focusing on minimizing losses, but until we get the next set of technical updates, our task is to try to make their lives as difficult as possible in every race. We have just one point more in the team standings, but we will try to stay ahead of Racing Bulls for as long as possible.
In terms of energy consumption, the Belgian track is one of the most challenging, but we knew that even before the season started and have a rough idea of what to expect here. As for the chances of competing in Spa, it’s quite possible that it won’t be too bad, and there are several corners where we will need to try to show the maximum possible speeds.
But at the same time, we will have to think about how to act best behind the wheel, how to use energy with maximum efficiency. I don’t want to think that this weekend we will have to deal with difficulties related to super clipping and other issues."
Pierre Gasly: "Racing Bulls has looked very confident for several weekends in a row – I think they have scored points with both cars in four consecutive races. Certainly, this team is doing well – better than we have been lately.
It will be tough for us in Spa, as Racing Bulls is performing very well. That doesn’t mean we can’t overtake them. I don’t want to say that we will be focusing on minimizing losses, but until we get the next set of technical updates, our task is to try to make their lives as difficult as possible in every race. We have just one point more in the team standings, but we will try to stay ahead of Racing Bulls for as long as possible.
In terms of energy consumption, the Belgian track is one of the most challenging, but we knew that even before the season started and have a rough idea of what to expect here. As for the chances of competing in Spa, it’s quite possible that it won’t be too bad, and there are several corners where we will need to try to show the maximum possible speeds.
But at the same time, we will have to think about how to act best behind the wheel, how to use energy with maximum efficiency. I don’t want to think that this weekend we will have to deal with difficulties related to super clipping and other issues."
This Sunday, the final match of the World Cup will take place in New Jersey, featuring the national teams of Spain and Argentina. Fernando Alonso, who is set to start the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, admitted that he is more focused on how to get home in time to watch the final game.
Fernando Alonso: "We don't expect much from ourselves this weekend. To be honest, the main goal on Sunday will be to get home and watch the final match.
However, even if you are at the back of the pack, you still enjoy what you are doing and compete with 21 other cars on the track. I lower the visor and feel happy, you know? In the cockpit, you completely disconnect from the outside world. For two hours of the race, I immerse myself in my own world and enjoy what is happening.
However, after the race, the main task will be to watch the match, if I can manage it. It won't be easy because we will fly back home. So it's possible that on Sunday I will only watch the second half, and I will have to miss the first."
When asked if the Belgian Grand Prix could be the worst stage of the season for Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso replied: "It's hard to say. From race to race, my feelings about the car are not good. I think it will be difficult for everyone due to the regulations and the amount of energy available.
As for our team, we still have the same car as we did in the preseason tests in Bahrain. Other teams have updated their cars, and we started the season with a low pace, and with each race, it seems we are getting slower because everyone else is improving.
So we need to get through this stage. I hope the situation will be a bit better next week."
Fernando Alonso: "We don't expect much from ourselves this weekend. To be honest, the main goal on Sunday will be to get home and watch the final match.
However, even if you are at the back of the pack, you still enjoy what you are doing and compete with 21 other cars on the track. I lower the visor and feel happy, you know? In the cockpit, you completely disconnect from the outside world. For two hours of the race, I immerse myself in my own world and enjoy what is happening.
However, after the race, the main task will be to watch the match, if I can manage it. It won't be easy because we will fly back home. So it's possible that on Sunday I will only watch the second half, and I will have to miss the first."
When asked if the Belgian Grand Prix could be the worst stage of the season for Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso replied: "It's hard to say. From race to race, my feelings about the car are not good. I think it will be difficult for everyone due to the regulations and the amount of energy available.
As for our team, we still have the same car as we did in the preseason tests in Bahrain. Other teams have updated their cars, and we started the season with a low pace, and with each race, it seems we are getting slower because everyone else is improving.
So we need to get through this stage. I hope the situation will be a bit better next week."
In the last season, after nine stages, Carlos Sainz had 12 points, while this year he has half that amount. Nevertheless, the Spanish driver firmly stated that he is doing everything he can to help his team and wants to succeed specifically behind the wheel of a Williams car…
Carlos Sainz: “We already have answers to some questions related to the speed deficit in Silverstone, and the team is doing everything in its power to address the issues that have been hindering us since the beginning of the year. The FW48 car does not allow us to perform at the level we expected, while other teams are faster than Williams in developing and implementing technical innovations.
We are trying to achieve improvements, but it is already clear that this year is incredibly difficult and is perhaps only contributing to character building. We understand that the car still lacks speed, its efficiency is below what we calculated, although we are gradually managing to achieve at least a slight increase in downforce.
I hope that in the upcoming stages in Belgium and Hungary we will make some progress – both through setup work and through small technical innovations. If we succeed, it will be a promising sign, although we understand that everything we have learned this season will be embodied in the 2027 car. Realistically speaking, we will only be able to make significant progress next season.
We have to admit that we were not able to understand the new technical regulations as well as we understood the previous ones. Moreover, our freedom of action is now limited by budget constraints…”
As the rumor mill is truly spinning at this stage of the season, there are various talks about Sainz's future, but today in Spa he assured that his plans are only tied to Williams: “I am not thinking about what opportunities may arise and where. At this stage, my preferences regarding the future are crystal clear: I want to succeed with this project. You have no idea how much effort I am putting into it, and I am currently focused solely on it.”
Carlos Sainz: “We already have answers to some questions related to the speed deficit in Silverstone, and the team is doing everything in its power to address the issues that have been hindering us since the beginning of the year. The FW48 car does not allow us to perform at the level we expected, while other teams are faster than Williams in developing and implementing technical innovations.
We are trying to achieve improvements, but it is already clear that this year is incredibly difficult and is perhaps only contributing to character building. We understand that the car still lacks speed, its efficiency is below what we calculated, although we are gradually managing to achieve at least a slight increase in downforce.
I hope that in the upcoming stages in Belgium and Hungary we will make some progress – both through setup work and through small technical innovations. If we succeed, it will be a promising sign, although we understand that everything we have learned this season will be embodied in the 2027 car. Realistically speaking, we will only be able to make significant progress next season.
We have to admit that we were not able to understand the new technical regulations as well as we understood the previous ones. Moreover, our freedom of action is now limited by budget constraints…”
As the rumor mill is truly spinning at this stage of the season, there are various talks about Sainz's future, but today in Spa he assured that his plans are only tied to Williams: “I am not thinking about what opportunities may arise and where. At this stage, my preferences regarding the future are crystal clear: I want to succeed with this project. You have no idea how much effort I am putting into it, and I am currently focused solely on it.”