2014 Belgian Grand Prix Friday - Practice
Live Text
Sort by
The Belgian GP weekend is van der Garde's sixth FP1 outing this season for Sauber - he lies 18th in the session so far.
Replays show Hamilton running too deep and going off at the final chicane, before heading straight to the pits. Team-mate Rosberg did likewise, although chose to stay out.
"Contractual issues" resolved, the Marussia team has confirmed British driver Max Chilton will be racing at the Belgium Grand Prix after all. He will be back in the cockpit for FP2.
Max Chilton will race at Belgian Grand Prix after all
Max Chilton will race at Belgian Grand Prix after all
While the top two (Rosberg and Alonso) are already into the 51s bracket, there's a big gap back to the rest. Bottas is currently third with a 1m53.172s, while Magnussen has improved to a 1m53.283s.
Lotterer's appearance for Caterham this weekend means he will be the fifth German on the grid, making Germany the country with the most drivers this season.
Lotterer currently sits in 20th, 0.6s down from team-mate Marcus Ericsson.
Lotterer currently sits in 20th, 0.6s down from team-mate Marcus Ericsson.
Lotterer update courtesy of BEN ANDERSON: "He is now pressing on. Carrying good speed on the approach to Eau Rouge and getting the car bottoming out mid-corner."
EDD STRAW is also down at Eau Rouge this morning and reports: "Car moving around a lot under Rossi at Eau Rouge. Saubers looking very lively. Lotterer, unsurprisingly not quite as committed as Ericsson. Yet..."
Stopwatch
Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg trading times at the top. Alonso goes fastest with a 1m51.937s, before Rosberg immediately beats it with a 1m51.724s.
Van der Garde is told: "We see an issue and it needs reprogramming. We can fix it, but we'll need to extend the follow run."
More Eau Rouge observations: "The McLarens, Mercs, Red Bulls and Williams are all flat through Eau Rouge now, but McLaren needs a bit of bravery. Others still requiring a confidence lift as they work up to it."
Magnussen's time is still good enough for second at the moment, with Hamilton just over a tenth slower in third.
Stopwatch
Nico Rosberg takes over at the top of the times with a 1m52.143s.
Giedo van der Garde shouts down the radio: "Still the power is not good!" He earlier reported a loss of power in his Caterham.
Twitter is alive with comments about Max Chilton 'voluntarily stepping back in' this weekend.
BEN ANDERSON continues to keep a close watch as the cars tackle Eau Rouge: "Lots of sparking from the Marussia as it climbs the hill. High-fueled and/or running low."
Button has also set a flying lap, a 1m54.221s. Bianchi is currently third (of three to have set a time) with a 1m57.599s.
Breaking news
Big news from Marussia, as JONATHAN NOBLE gets confirmation that Rossi will NOT be making his F1 debut this weekend - Chilton is going to drive after all.
Story coming up in a moment.
Story coming up in a moment.
Our man BEN ANDERSON is trackside this morning and reports: "Some tentative exploration of Eau Rouge early on (except if you are in a Red Bull). Both McLarens having to slightly lift at the apex that last time through."
Stopwatch
First fastest lap of the day goes to Magnussen – a 1m53.405s.
Now we have even more on-track action. Rosberg, Kvyat, Bianchi, Bottas and Vettel have also ventured out.
And we have a car on track! Jenson Button pops out of the pits to have a bit of a look at what's going on.
Lots of action in pitlane, none on the track at the moment.
Eight minutes into the session and every single driver has completed an installation lap. No timed laps as of yet, though.
Air temperature is hanging around a chilly 12 degrees at the moment. Perhaps the chilly weather is why there's so much early activity (trying to warm up). Track temperature is 17 degrees. But it is, at least, dry.
Last year's fastest time in first practice was 1m55.198s set by Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari.
Of course, last year the cars were different beasts, and Mercedes is still expected to be the dominant team despite teams bringing updates.
Of course, last year the cars were different beasts, and Mercedes is still expected to be the dominant team despite teams bringing updates.
Green flag
So, the first practice session of the weekend has started and we already have 15 cars on track – including debutant Andre Lotterer.
And speaking of Toro Rosso…
The Red Bull-backed team announced a few days ago that Max Verstappen will replace Jean-Eric Vergne from the start of next season, although the Dutchman is expected to make a few practice appearances before the season is out.
The Red Bull-backed team announced a few days ago that Max Verstappen will replace Jean-Eric Vergne from the start of next season, although the Dutchman is expected to make a few practice appearances before the season is out.
The biggest news stories since the Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of July have come in the last few days, with some reshuffling going on at the back of the grid.
Joining Caterham this weekend is three-time Le Mans winner Andre Lotterer, who replaces Kamui Kobayashi and makes his F1 debut at the age of 32.
Another making his debut this weekend is Alexander Rossi, who will be racing for Marussia this weekend after Max Chilton says he voluntarily gave up his seat due to financial issues.
Rossi, who only joined the team last month as reserve driver, will become the first American to compete in F1 since Scott Speed made his final appearance for Toro Rosso in Germany in 2007.
A nice and relaxing lead-in for the drivers after a month of twiddling their thumbs? Not a chance, because Spa-Francorchamps and its awesome layout awaits for round 12 of the season.
The magnificent 4.352-mile circuit in the Ardennes is ready to throw down its challenge and over the next 90 minutes we will get our first glimpse as the drivers respond by testing their machinery and finding a baseline set-up for the rest of the weekend.
Good morning and welcome to AUTOSPORT Live after what seems like an eternity. Formula 1 is back on the menu after the long summer break and the teams arrive refreshed and ready for the second half of the season.
By: Dan Cross, Andrew van Leeuwen, AUTOSPORT staff, Matt Beer, Pablo Elizalde
Published:
Lap:
