Red Bull Racing has made its first run on a refurbished Spa-Francorchamps F1 machine as part of the promotion for this weekend’s F1 Belgian Grand Prix.
Spa-Francorchamps is expected to offer a different feel to F1 drivers and teams following an €80m venue renovation aimed at improving car safety and reviving two-wheel racing.
Some of the changes, such as the re-profiling of the crash barriers at Rydilon, should have little effect on on-track performance, but the five resurfaced corners and four corners’ gravel trap fixes have been taken care of. become necessary.
Pirelli’s head of F1 and car racing Mario Isola called the change “the biggest we’ve seen since we started going there in the modern F1 era”.
Most F2 teams won’t know the effects of the resurfacing and run-off changes until this weekend, but Red Bull Racing has already secured a first taste of the refurbished circuit for the promotion. It was revealed.
In a preview video titled ‘From Sim to Reality’ posted on its social media channels, Red Bull Racing shows Max Verstappen’s preparations for the Belgian Grand Prix. This started with a few alternative games in the simulator before the team finally completed a few laps at the new Spa-Grand Corchamps in the RB7 show car.
Filming appears to have taken place earlier this year, as construction work appears to still be taking place in the background, even though elements of the main track have been completed.
It’s very rare for a team to run an F1 car at its current venue, but the rules allow it.
Under F1’s competition regulations, teams are free to test historic cars like the 2011 RB7 whenever they want, but they must run on show tires provided by Pirelli, and their intentions are clear. Must notify the FIA.
Using such an old car on promotional tires won’t do much for Red Bull Racing at this weekend’s F1 Belgian Grand Prix, but it doesn’t hurt to see the effects of resurfacing and track work early. It should be.
Category: F1 / red bull / F1 Belgian Grand Prix
