Get a glimpse behind the scenes at the Belgian Grand Prix. @AnthonyFrench rounds up what the teams and drivers shared on Twitter during the race weekend.
Thursday
Dire weather forecasts for the weekend awaited the teams and drivers as they set up camp in Belgium. Meanwhile rumours continued to swirl around the identity of Mark Webber’s replacement at Red Bull.
Yes, it IS sunny #Spa!!! #F1 #BelgiumGP pic.twitter.com/AEVY2CzFXT
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) August 22, 2013
Thursday morning Spa pit lane pic.twitter.com/5RRcpvDIsQ
— Dickie Stanford (@dickiestanford) August 22, 2013
Kimi Raikkonen appears to have a dose of 'journalistitis' as he's not in Spa today for his media duties "due to illness" according to Lotus
— Ian Parkes (@ianparkesf1) August 22, 2013
#F1 @LewisHamilton joking to media before his press meeting: "Hello everyone. It's good to see everyone again. Can't say I missed you."
— Tobias Gr?â??ner ams F1 (@tgruener) August 22, 2013
The legendary eau rouge. Consider that it's 10 times more impressive than it looks on this picture! pic.twitter.com/gC4qEJQmuA
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) August 22, 2013
Intense day with events, meetings, press, autograph session, but great to be back here at Spa, and eager to start!!! Happy!!
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) August 22, 2013
Friday
The track was damp for first practice but conditions cleared up in the second session and Sebastian Vettel led the way – before suffering a puncture in the closing minutes.
How fortunate that #Kimi had one of 24hr (media) viruses and is suddenly fit enough to get in the car today. It's a miracle #lifeofbrian
— Byron Young (@byronf1) August 23, 2013
Good morning from #Spa where, in the words of Peter Kay: 'It's spitting!'' #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/UWZfQjlsVF
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) August 23, 2013
First banner I've seen for @AussieGrit 's farewell tour. pic.twitter.com/QWA5ENI77R
— James Roberts (@JRobertsF1) August 23, 2013
End of engineers meeting pic.twitter.com/a363FmOohc
— Dickie Stanford (@dickiestanford) August 23, 2013
The Alonsos people-watch in motor home alley as Alan McNish enjoys Willy b'fast pic.twitter.com/RfMpSmZdSo
— Peter Windsor (@PeterDWindsor) August 23, 2013
Over one lap of Spa the engine will have a total wide open throttle time of over 75secs, making it an incredible test for engines.
— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) August 23, 2013
Sunshine in Spa for free practice 2, now some real dry running in a few minutes! pic.twitter.com/1TvZ8yp3nU
— Allan McNish (@AllanMcNish) August 23, 2013
Van der Garde complains about Pic: "I don't know what he was up to." #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 23, 2013
Problem for Vettel – looks like a tyre failure. A worrying development. #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 23, 2013
Van der Garde's crashed at Curva Paul Frere. #F1
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) August 23, 2013
It's our motorhome! We're hosting "A Taste of India" – our media cocktail, a big favourite in the F1 crowd :) pic.twitter.com/SH4IYyRlty
— Sahara Force India (@clubforce) August 23, 2013
Mmm ok… Just once @JensonButton that's ok huh??? pic.twitter.com/AZqXz7E3wz
— Mark Webber (@AussieGrit) August 23, 2013
Another tasty drivers' briefing re tyres: the key guys want precise details of VET's tyre problem and are obviously concerned.
— Peter Windsor (@PeterDWindsor) August 23, 2013
In motor racing punctures have always happened. Happens even with a normal road car tyre when you touch a hard object at full speed…
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) August 23, 2013
Saturday
Vettel and Red Bull remained ahead in final practice but qualifying proved to be the most exciting sessions of the year. Rain, Marussias and a Caterham in Q2 and a Force India nearly on pole got the crowd on their feet, but it was Lewis Hamilton who had the last laugh as he timed his final run to perfection to keep Vettel from pole position.
Anyone seen the weather forecast? Should we leave the pac-a-mac in the car today? #SPArtacus
— Lotus F1 Team (@Lotus_F1Team) August 24, 2013
A bit of metal debris was found at turn 13 points towards puncture rather than tyre failure. Calm down and carry on!
— Jason Swales (@Jason_A_Swales) August 24, 2013
"OK so tyres a bit understeer," says Massa, then almost bins it at turn nine. Point taken! #F1
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) August 24, 2013
Work still going on with Jenson's car, team have changed floor and rear wing ahead of qualifying and the race.
— Marc Priestley (@f1elvis) August 24, 2013
Started raining
— Dickie Stanford (@dickiestanford) August 24, 2013
So, heading into Q2 after that tremendous effort from @Jules_Bianchi P11 and @maxchilton P16
— Marussia F1 Team (@Marussia_F1Team) August 24, 2013
IFair to say that ending Q1 with @GvanderGarde in P3 was quite confusing for a few of us who thought VDG had disappeared from the laptimes..
— Caterham F1 Team (@MyCaterhamF1) August 24, 2013
Raikkonen: "Why were we not ready with tyres?" Slade: "I think we were, Kimi." #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 24, 2013
2:02.332 for Paul, P1 so far… and the rain keeps falling. #FeelTheForce
— Sahara Force India (@clubforce) August 24, 2013
Very impressive driving for all drivers. Poor Di Resta. This is a real racing spirit!!
— Taki Inoue (@takiinoue) August 24, 2013
Good to get the monkey off our back today after Monaco and Canada.
— GianPiero Lambiase (@GPLambiase) August 24, 2013
Sunday
Vettel ambushed Hamilton on lap one as the field climbed out of Eau Rouge and from that moment on was heading for victory. Alonso recovered second after starting from row five while Kimi Raikkonen’s points-scoring streak came to an end with break failure. Greenpeace protesters provided a side-show to a less than thrilling race.
Paul Di Resta ready on the grid and surrounded by the crew. 15 minutes to the start! #FeelTheForce pic.twitter.com/JgF4K3Y7bt
— Sahara Force India (@clubforce) August 25, 2013
Ok guys! pic.twitter.com/h483bAV3Lf
— S?â?®bastien Buemi (@Sebastien_buemi) August 25, 2013
If @Greenpeace had shown up with banners protesting the evils of DRS I might agree with them. #F1
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) August 25, 2013
Smedley to Massa: "Front wing looks fine when you passed me." #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 25, 2013
Wonder if @RGrosjean has any padded gloves with him? #SPArtacus
— Lotus F1 Team (@Lotus_F1Team) August 25, 2013
Another very poor stewards decision. #Checo does not deserve a drive through. Has ruined his race.
— Gary Paffett (@GaryPaffett) August 25, 2013
Perez: "Why a drive-though?" Temple: "For forcing Grosjean off the track" Perez: "I had the corner. #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 25, 2013
Hamilton: "Are we catching Vettel together?" Bonnington: "Vettel six-tenths faster last lap, you were within a tenth of Alonso." #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 25, 2013
Two cars crashed in the last corner #F1 #Spa #BelgiumGP
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) August 25, 2013
Oh no! Paul is taken out by Maldonado at the final turn in a sour ending of a mighty, four-car battle. #sad
— Sahara Force India (@clubforce) August 25, 2013
Did you know that Maldonado translates to Imbecile in English?
— Marino Franchitti (@MFranchitti) August 25, 2013
Rocquelin to Vettel: "Sebastian you need to build up a gap, there could be some rain coming." #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 25, 2013
Interesting/mad that Sutil can drive down to Eau Rouge with one hand off the wheel to give Gutierrez directions #Spa pic.twitter.com/hSBkuBaE2U
— Mark Gallagher (@MarkGallagher62) August 25, 2013
Here's the @Greenpeace protesters trying to get onto the podium. Pic via @officialminis pic.twitter.com/6oJHNXAYaa #F1
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) August 25, 2013
Otra foto // another photo pic.twitter.com/tYhFJmYot8
— MiniDrivers (@OfficialMinis) August 25, 2013
The Police escort was fun whilst it lasted, it did turn into a rally stage as most of the cars were racing drivers. pic.twitter.com/50Zs8D07ej
— Max Chilton (@maxchilton) August 25, 2013
Otro m?â?ís, 91 podios…! Feliz. Gracias!!! Another one, 91 podiums…! Happy. Thanks!!! pic.twitter.com/kRpQ3sqatD
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) August 25, 2013
Love a good fight. Nice to be on the offensive in the closing stages. Better day for us today. Next stop, Italy!
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) August 25, 2013
Difficult race today. We just did not have the race pace today and could not gain more positions. Hopefully Monza will be better for us!
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) August 25, 2013
Well that was arse.
— Andy Stobart (@andystobart) August 25, 2013
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2013 Belgian Grand Prix
- Alonso edges Vettel in Belgian GP driver poll
- Belgian Grand Prix gets lowest rating yet in 2013
- 2013 Belgian Grand Prix team radio transcript
- 2013 Belgian Grand Prix fans’ video gallery
- 2013 Belgian GP Predictions Championship results
hunocsi (@hunocsi)
27th August 2013, 12:37
I still don’t get it, what was Sutil’s problem with Gutierrez there?
ferrox glideh (@ferrox-glideh)
27th August 2013, 18:12
I think Sutil was mad at being run wide at La Source.
PMccarthy_is_a_legend (@pmccarthy_is_a_legend)
27th August 2013, 17:49
Love the Greenpeace protesters trying to get on the podium pictures. Awesome!
ferrox glideh (@ferrox-glideh)
27th August 2013, 18:04
Peter Windsor with another scoop: “Alan McNish enjoys Willy”… Saucy! ;)
DaveF1 (@davef1)
27th August 2013, 20:40
Does Alonso keep all his trophies in pizza boxes?
Lauri (@f1lauri)
27th August 2013, 22:37
Raikkonen: “Why were we not ready with tyres?” Slade: “I think we were, Kimi.” #F1
– what, when?