{"id":58776,"date":"2022-08-28T13:25:08","date_gmt":"2022-08-28T13:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/what-to-watch-for-in-the-belgian-grand-prix-sainz-vs-perez-lap-1-slipstreaming-and-a-mixed-up-grid\/"},"modified":"2022-08-28T13:25:08","modified_gmt":"2022-08-28T13:25:08","slug":"what-to-watch-for-in-the-belgian-grand-prix-sainz-vs-perez-lap-1-slipstreaming-and-a-mixed-up-grid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/what-to-watch-for-in-the-belgian-grand-prix-sainz-vs-perez-lap-1-slipstreaming-and-a-mixed-up-grid\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Watch For in the Belgian Grand Prix: Sainz vs Perez, Lap 1 slipstreaming, and a mixed up grid"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From the fastest driver in qualifying starting in 15th place to a top three grid position for Fernando Alonso; and from two drivers chasing their second wins of the season to a crucial tow on the opening lap, we pick out some key areas to keep an eye on when the lights go out at Spa-Francorchamps\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n
1. Verstappen’s charge from the back<\/h3>\n
If you watched qualifying without knowing about any existing grid penalties, you might have been a bit confused by some of the tactics employed by certain teams, but probably not by the sight of Max Verstappen setting the fastest time.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Verstappen fastest in qualifying but Sainz set to start on pole after Belgian GP grid penalties<\/strong><\/p>\n
Verstappen was in a league of his own, ending up over 0.6s clear of the rest of the field \u2013 but it will only translate into a P15 grid position as a result of a power unit penalty that leaves him with work to do to climb through the field on race day.<\/p>\n
But the extremely impressive raw pace that the Red Bull driver has shown throughout the weekend makes it very possible that he could still end up in the mix for victory.<\/p>\n
Verstappen won from 10th on the grid in Hungary after all, and it’s easier to overtake at Spa-Francorchamps than it is at the Hungaroring, so seeing how the championship leader fights his way towards the front is likely to provide plenty of entertainment.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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2022 Belgian GP Qualifying: Verstappen qualifies fastest but Sainz starts on pole\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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2. Sainz vs Perez for the win<\/h3>\n
Verstappen’s demotion \u2013 along with that of Charles Leclerc who qualified in fourth place but starts one position behind the Dutchman in 16th \u2013 means the front row will be made up of the other two Ferrari and Red Bull drivers, with Carlos Sainz on pole position from Sergio Perez.<\/p>\n
As much as Verstappen might provide a threat in the latter stages of the race, it could be a straight shootout between the front row pair who each have just one victory to their names so far this season. Sainz was worried by the Red Bull pace but set the quicker time in qualifying to secure his second career pole, and he will be looking for better fortune than his last racing attempts in Belgium.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Pole-sitter Sainz wary of Verstappen pace as Leclerc says Red Bull were ‘way too fast’ in Spa qualifying<\/strong><\/p>\n
The wet qualifying last year caught Ferrari out and Sainz was limited to tenth in the race classification for just half a point, while he didn’t turn a full speed lap in 2020 either due to a reliability issue preventing him from taking the start.<\/p>\n
But in Perez he does have a quick Red Bull alongside him on the front row, and there appears to be a limited immediate threat from behind given Mercedes’ struggles. Whoever ends the first lap in the lead could have the best chance of victory on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n