LIVE | Belgian Grand Prix: Practice 1 – Friday, 26 August 2022

Follow Practice 1 forward of the Belgian Grand Prix LIVE from the Spa-Francorchamps circuit on Friday, 26 August.

The motion begins at 14:00 (SA time).

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Meanwhile, a defiant Charles Leclerc on Thursday stated he nonetheless believes he can beat Max Verstappen and win this yr’s world title for Ferrari, beginning with an ideal end result at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

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Despite dealing with an 80-point deficit within the championship with 9 races remaining, the 24-year-old Monegasque driver maintained an optimistic outlook and declared he retained his religion in a fallible Ferrari crew.

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“I still believe in the championship of course,” he instructed reporters on the majestic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

“It’s going to be a really troublesome problem, however I’ll imagine in it till the very finish.

“I think we will take it one by one as a team, each race, but for sure we need to try and maximise every opportunity that we have ahead.”

Having loved a three-week break because the Hungarian Grand Prix, a peaceful Leclerc was in vivid and constructive temper, preferring to give attention to his alternative forward moderately than replicate on failings uncovered within the first a part of the season.

“The first part of the season has been full of highs and lows with loads of emotions and there’s lots of accumulation of emotion that leads to being tired,” he admitted.

“So, I was quite happy to go on holiday.”

He acknowledged that after build up a 46-point lead from the opening three races, he and Ferrari had misplaced their grip and allowed Red Bull to take advantage of each mistake made to take commanding management.

A mixture of mechanical failings, tactical and strategic errors and particular person errors resulted in Leclerc changing his seven poles total into solely three victories whereas Verstappen claimed eight wins from solely three prime beginning spots.

For Leclerc, it led to questions on his religion in Ferrari, however on Thursday he appeared to have resolved his doubts and dedicated himself once more to main their bid for a primary title since Kimi Raikkonen’s triumph in 2007.

Looking forward to what guarantees to be one other shut contest with Red Bull, he stated: “It’s about whoever places collectively an ideal weekend as a result of between Red Bull and ourselves there may be little or no – possibly generally we’re a tiny bit stronger and generally they’re a tiny huge stronger.

“And now, there may be additionally Mercedes to think about as they’re coming again into the combat, which is sweet, however ultimately the one who wins places an incredible weekend collectively.

“So, that is where we will find the difference between the two teams I think.”

For Leclerc this weekend will provide the extra enhance of taking him again to the scene of his maiden F1 victory in 2019, a triumph shrouded by unhappy recollections because it got here 24 hours after the loss of life of his shut pal Frenchman Anthoine Hubert in a Formula Two race.

For Ferrari, too, Belgium stirs deep emotions. They have received a file 18 Belgian Grands Prix total, however the crew additionally skilled tragedy, most notably in 1982 when Gilles Villeneuve was killed throughout remaining qualifying following a collision with the innocent Jochen Mass’ March automobile at excessive pace.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

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