Less than 24 hours after Marussia announced Alexander Rossi would make his F1 race debut this weekend the unfortunate driver found out he had missed out on his chance as Max Chilton would be driving after all.
Meanwhile in the paddock several stars of the sport were taking part in the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness for Motor Neurone Disease/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Here are the Twitter highlights from Friday at Spa-Francorchamps.
First practice
Two drivers were preparing for their Formula One debut in the morning session, but one of them would shortly lose the opportunity.
Belgian GP underway. Good luck in #FP1 @AlexanderRossi
— Manor F1 Team (@ManorF1Team) August 22, 2014
First run in an #F1 car for @Andre_Lotterer in over a decade! pic.twitter.com/zpaiLN9ICb
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 22, 2014
The past 24 hours have been an enormous PR own-goal for Chilton. Now no question of his pay-to-drive credentials.
— The Buxton Blog (@thebuxtonblog) August 22, 2014
No real winners in @Marussia_F1Team debacle over $m #F1 race seat, but don't forget for the 100's of team staff it's a very worrying time.
— Marc Priestley (@f1elvis) August 22, 2014
Strangely Alonso briefly pulled over in the second pit lane exit on the climb to Raidillon. #F1 — F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 22, 2014
Drivers back in the garage. @Andre_Lotterer comfortable, “getting used to everything” he says over the radio #F1 pic.twitter.com/QnLaa5XVUT
— Caterham F1 Team (@CaterhamF1) August 22, 2014
The paddock heard the news about Max Chilton returning to the Marussia seat in place of Alexander Rossi – except for Rossi himself, who only found out after the session.
Here’s @AlexanderRossi in the MR03 after concluding his first six laps. pic.twitter.com/g6dJpcZ690 — Marussia F1 Team (@Marussia_F1Team) August 22, 2014
Vettel discovers the Astroturf in the middle of Pouhon is short on grip. #F1 pic.twitter.com/rt4WU4BJro
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 22, 2014
Testing the ERS this weekend: The best opportunity for the MGU-K will be Bus Stop.Driver approaches at +300kph and brakes down to just 75kph
— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) August 22, 2014
Button has a button problem: “The DRS stayed open then. I couldn’t close it with the button.” #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 22, 2014
ALS #IceBucketChallenge pic.twitter.com/ZUUWREfUsA
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) August 22, 2014
The ice bucket challenge would be a good way of introducing Ecclestone to social media, surely.
— Pablo Elizalde (@EliGP) August 22, 2014
Second practice
Red flag: Maldonado has crashed on the approach to Pouhon having got onto the grass. #F1 pic.twitter.com/ksReFoE6rS
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 22, 2014
Give Maldonado credit – he may crash a lot but that's only because of his dedicated efforts to find new and innovative ways of crashing. #F1
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) August 22, 2014
McNish on Maldo: “I’ve not seen anything like that, but then there are quite a few accidents he has that I’ve not seen anything like before”
— Andrew Benson (@andrewbensonf1) August 22, 2014
In Spain, Pastor blamed the track and the wall for his shunt. Today he's at least accepted he might be half to blame. I call that progress.
— The Buxton Blog (@thebuxtonblog) August 22, 2014
Meanwhile Gutierrez has a high-speed spin at Blanchimont. “It’s the gearbox,” he says. Second red flag is thrown. #F1 pic.twitter.com/oUgIV9qePd
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) August 22, 2014
Not the best day for us @OfficialSF1Team first the problem with me this morning and now a problem in fp2 for @EstebanGtz , big push 2morrow!
— Giedo van der Garde (@GvanderGarde) August 22, 2014
Update on Pastor: he was taken to the medical centre for precautionary checks and he is ok. #BelgianGP
— Lotus F1 Team (@Lotus_F1Team) August 22, 2014
After the action
Rob Smedley accidentally walked in to the Ferrari motorhome today. “Surprised I haven’t done it before,” he said.
— Stuart Codling (@CoddersF1) August 22, 2014
Max Verstappen was centre of attention after becoming Toro Rosso’s 2015 driver.
.@MaxVerstappen3 press moment. Interest…. pic.twitter.com/mGS0dklWEw
— allard kalff (@allardkalff) August 22, 2014
.@alo_oficial accepted ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and nominated Placido Domingo,Flavio Briatore and Luca di Montezemolo http://t.co/xWt8XEKSsh
— Scuderia Ferrari (@InsideFerrari) August 22, 2014
McLaren’s youngster Stoffel Vandoorne took a home pole posiion in GP2.
@svandoorne Great job fella…
— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) August 22, 2014
Good day overall. More performance to unlock tomorrow. Weather might be tricky so lets see.. #Spa #BelgianGP #77 http://t.co/BmGcMPrFm5
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) August 22, 2014
Obviously I’m disappointed not to race but I got to drive an F1 car today, so it’s not that bad. My time is coming… pic.twitter.com/Tx1V0syIC4
— Alexander Rossi (@AlexanderRossi) August 22, 2014
Really enjoyed my first day in #formula1 @caterhamF1. Thx for all the support and messages! A lot to… http://t.co/6BSdCvGi3g
— Andre Lotterer (@Andre_Lotterer) August 22, 2014
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2014 Belgian Grand Prix
- Rosberg says he chose to apologise for Spa crash
- Third win, second Driver of the Weekend for Ricciardo
- Spa serves up another race to remember
- 2014 Belgian Grand Prix team radio transcript
- Hamilton: “We both made mistakes”
Browse all 2014 Belgian Grand Prix articlesImage © Marussia
AdrianMorse (@adrianmorse)
23rd August 2014, 6:31
That was quite a modest ice bucket for Alonso :-)
On Maldonado, I feel quite sorry for Lotus. They sort of have themselves to blame for signing him, but how many of his sponsorship dollars has he burned through due to completely avoidable accidents?
Patrick (@paeschli)
23rd August 2014, 8:35
Astroturf <3