G30M wrote

interestingly Helmut addressed the issue. i don't think I've ever heard Horner explain things like this

Helmut Marko reveals Red Bull mistake that cost Verstappen podium at Spa:
— Helmut Marko admitted that Red Bull's setup misjudgment at the Belgian Grand Prix hindered Max Verstappen's performance. The team had prepared for a rain-affected race, which ultimately did not materialize. Speaking to media, Marko explained:
“The bottom line is that we couldn't keep up with that pace.”
— Marko elaborated on the setup issues, noting that the car was too slow in certain sectors. He remarked:
“Our setup was geared towards rain, and it became apparent that we were simply driving too slowly in sector 1.”
— Reflecting on the sprint race setup, Marko emphasized its potential benefits:
“The setup we had in the sprint would have been significantly better in this situation.”
— Marko highlighted the challenge Verstappen faced during the race:
“We were never in a position to overtake the Ferrari.”
— In addition to discussing Red Bull's challenges, Marko praised McLaren's performance, particularly Oscar Piastri's victory at Spa. He commented:
“Simply in a class of their own. Congratulations again.”
— Despite the setback, Marko expressed optimism about upcoming upgrades for Red Bull at the Hungarian Grand Prix:
“We'll still bring something to Hungary. Let's see how that plays out.”

Killed by Death wrote

///M Power-Belgium wrote

It wasn't a mistake , it was a planned gamble to put MAX on a high downforce setup to give him more grip in the rain .
And the Red Bull gamble was right because it was raining heavily...
But as I said : The FIA clowns decided to wait (90 min.)! until the track had dried.
And so was MAX screwed with his rain setup .
Too bad (!)

M5Rick wrote

FIA got cold feet with the previous accidents and fatalities, it's the curse of Spa that worked against MAX and his set up was compromised by a delayed decision. Start decision should be by drivers vote and NOT by the stewards.

///M Power-Belgium wrote

Indeed . SPA and all the fatalities gave the SPA track a bad reputation .
This track can be very dangerous ...Especially in the rain (!) Safety adjustments had to be made. That wasn't cheap , but it had to be done..

However ,the Spa-Francorchamps track (and certainly Eau Rouge) ! is still the most beautiful F1 track and the place to be , to get the ultimate race experience .

NickyC wrote

Best part of the race was that side pod/back view from Hamilton's car going up Eau Rouge. Looked just like an aircraft taking off!

NickyC wrote

Best part of the race was that side pod/back view from Hamilton's car going up Eau Rouge. Looked just like an aircraft taking off!

G30M wrote

For the purists out there, that corner is actually called Raidillon

Eau Rouge is the bit at the top where they turn left-ish.

But most people combine them as one ....

G30M wrote

Eau Rouge is the bit at the top where they turn left-ish.

GuidoK wrote

Eau rouge is not at the top but at the bottom. It's the lowest point there (underneath there's a tunnel)
So that tiny left kink before Raidillon.

G30M wrote

mekies made an appointment with toto and toto hosted him in the Mercedes marque in Spa

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/laurent-mekies-did-something-at-the-belgian-grand-prix-with-toto-wolff-that-christian-horner-would-never-do/

G30M wrote

now i'm confused ... you reckon i got them back to front?

GuidoK wrote

afaik as soon as it goes uphill it's called raidillon.

This is how you I see it:



For people who've not been to Spa:
On the right of the eau rouge rectangle, you can walk there (if you have access that is, probably closed off when there's a race etc).
There you see the little river coming out of a concrete like tunnel that goes under the track. That is the 'eau rouge' river (a little stream).
That tunnel is directly beneath that little kink to the left, so I from what I know that only that part is called eau rouge corner. The rest uphill is Raidillon
That tunnel is quite long btw, maybe 100m or so (the width of the track and part of specatator area etc)

edit:
This is the ending of the tunnel, and roughly how it goes under the track:


You can also see the little bridge (walkway) to cross the river.
Funny part of the track to walk there, crossing a mountain stream in the middle of a racing track, at least that's the feeling it gave me

edit2: apparently during races you can walk there too! (maybe they have vip passes or something, but lots of people there)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/medTUHypgpoLRvU38
I've only been there on day's that nobody cared....
There's also a pedestrian tunnel that goes under the track. that's also interesting to see there

Of course with the little river going under the track at the eau rouge side, it also has to pass under the track again....
That is all the way at the other side of the track, under the corner called Staverlot.

fs1977 wrote

Many, many, many years ago, you could go from Spa to Malmedy and Stavelot and back on a big part of the track. I don't know exactly when it was closed for traffic, but must have been early 2000?

M5Rick wrote

Eau Rouge simply means red water, it's a 15 km long stream that passes under the iconic turn hence the name.

GuidoK wrote

Eau rouge is not at the top but at the bottom. It's the lowest point there (underneath there's a tunnel)
So that tiny left kink before Raidillon.

fs1977 wrote

There was a passage to avoid Eau Rouge and Radillion but after that you came on Kemmel straight and it was part of the public road. And on the way back you would go through the bus-stop and the current starting grid.