Formula 1 heads to one of its most iconic and demanding venues this weekend as the Belgian Grand Prix returns to Spa-Francorchamps. The legendary circuit has always tested both drivers and machinery to the limit, and several teams will be hoping to reverse their recent fortunes before the championship heads to Hungary and then into the summer break.
Among them is Haas, which is looking to rediscover the consistency it showed earlier in the season. With the exception of its home race in Miami, the American team had regularly finished inside the top ten with at least one of its drivers. However, that run came to an end after Monaco, leaving Haas without a single point over the last three Grands Prix.
At the same time, Racing Bulls has enjoyed a remarkable spell of form, scoring top-ten finishes with both drivers in four consecutive races. That streak has lifted the Faenza-based squad to sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship, just one point behind Alpine and, more importantly, 38 points ahead of Haas.
Bearman welcomes the possibility of rain
Haas’ objective is to begin closing that gap immediately at Spa, and Oliver Bearman believes the circuit’s notoriously unpredictable weather could play into the team’s hands. The British driver is coming off a disappointing home race at Silverstone, although he has recently been linked with Red Bull as a possible option for next season.
“Spa is a circuit every driver looks forward to racing on. It’s an incredible track with so much history, and every sector presents a unique challenge. Eau Rouge is obviously one of the highlights, but for me, Pouhon is an amazing corner to drive,” Bearman explained.
“The weather can also make things interesting because the circuit has its own unique microclimate, so I’d be surprised if we didn’t see a bit of rain. It keeps everyone on their toes and, for us right now, it could represent a valuable opportunity to fight for points.”
“We’re working on several areas of the car and we understand both our strengths and our weaknesses. If we can maximize everything that is within our control, I’m excited to see what this weekend can bring.”
Ocon hoping to build on Silverstone progress
Esteban Ocon has endured an even more difficult campaign so far, but Spa-Francorchamps remains a circuit filled with positive memories for the Frenchman. It was here that he made his Formula 1 debut in 2016, and two years later he secured third place in qualifying for Force India, which still stands as the best qualifying result of his Formula 1 career.
“Silverstone wasn’t the easiest weekend for us as a team, but personally I felt much more comfortable in the car than I had in the previous races, so hopefully we can carry that momentum into this weekend,” Ocon said.
“Spa is always a circuit I enjoy coming back to. It’s a legendary track that has produced so many exciting races. It’s where I made my Formula 1 debut in 2016 and where I achieved my best qualifying result, so it’s a place full of great memories. I can’t believe it’s been ten years since that first race—the time has flown by!”
“The weather is often unpredictable, which can create opportunities but also challenges, so we have to be ready to adapt and make the most of every situation. Right now we’re in a position where we need to take every opportunity that comes our way, and we’ll focus on maximizing every session and building momentum throughout the weekend.”
Haas aiming to return to the top ten
With Spa-Francorchamps expected to deliver another unpredictable weekend, Haas will hope that changing conditions, combined with the unique demands of the Belgian circuit, can help the team end its recent points drought. For both Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon, a strong result before the summer break would provide a timely boost and help reignite Haas’ fight in the tightly contested midfield battle.
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