Awaiting a Spa-ctacle!

Gulf Weekly

5 days ago

Following a short pause in the calendar, Formula 1 is back in top gear this weekend with the opening race of a high-stakes double-header before the summer break, writes Naman Arora.
And what better place to kick things off than Spa-Francorchamps – a circuit revered by drivers and fans alike for its history, spectacle and ever-unpredictable weather.
But while the long straights and legendary corners of the Ardennes track are reason enough for excitement, the headlines off-track are setting the tone for what promises to be a fascinating Belgian Grand Prix weekend.
Spa Delivers, Rain or Shine
Few circuits match the thrill of Spa-Francorchamps.
Winding through the lush Ardennes forest, the track is a true test of skill and set-up — combining long straights with a high-downforce middle sector and corners that demand absolute commitment.
Its unpredictable weather is legendary too, with conditions often varying wildly across different sections of the circuit.
This year, fans can expect even more action, as Spa hosts a Sprint weekend for just the second time.
The last sprint here brought wet conditions, followed by a dry Grand Prix, and the forecast this weekend hints at similar volatility.
End of an Era
The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix will mark the beginning of a new chapter for Red Bull Racing, as the team prepares for its first race without Christian Horner at the helm.
The long-serving team principal and chief executive was relieved of his duties just days after the British Grand Prix, in a move that reportedly surprised not only Horner himself, but much of the paddock.
Under his leadership, Red Bull secured eight drivers' championships and six constructors' titles, shaping one of the most successful eras in F1 history.
But with the team now slipping to fourth in the standings, Laurent Mekies — formerly of Racing Bulls — has been tasked with halting the decline.
The spotlight will be firmly on Mekies as he makes his first appearance in charge, and even more so on Max Verstappen, whose own future at Red Bull is becoming increasingly uncertain in the wake of key departures.
Verstappen veers off?
Verstappen's position at Red Bull continues to attract attention, especially in light of recent upheaval.
Having once spoken about the importance of team stability during their dominant 2023 season, Verstappen now finds himself at the centre of persistent speculation linking him with a sensational move to Mercedes.
Fuelled further by cryptic comments from Horner before his exit — and some alleged coincidental holidaying in Sardinia by both Verstappen and Toto Wolff — the rumour mill is in overdrive.
Officially, Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until 2028, but Spa will undoubtedly bring renewed questions and intrigue about what lies ahead.
Ferrari Building Quietly
While Ferrari are yet to take a victory this season, they've been quietly gathering momentum.
The Scuderia have finished in the top five with at least one car at every race since Imola, and have claimed three podiums in the last five outings.
Much of this form has been credited to steady car upgrades, including work on rear suspension that has aimed to solve long-standing handling concerns.
A recent filming day at Mugello may have given further opportunities to refine the SF-25, and with second place in the Constructors' Championship now within reach, a win before the break would be the perfect way to cap their progress.
Sauber Surges
One of the most heartwarming stories to emerge from Silverstone was Nico Hulkenberg's maiden Formula 1 podium.
The veteran German finally stepped onto the rostrum after years of near-misses, delivering a result that sparked celebrations in the Sauber garage and back home in Switzerland.
The team's resurgence is no fluke. Since bringing an upgrade to the Spanish Grand Prix, Sauber have scored 35 points — the fourth-best tally on the grid over the past four races.
Now, all eyes will be on whether they can maintain that momentum at a circuit as demanding as Spa, or whether rival teams will close the gap with fresh developments of their own.