The provided text is an article about the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix qualifying session, written from the perspective of a journalist in attendance. It describes the chaotic drive to the track, the threatening weather conditions, and the interactions with drivers during the media pen session.The provided text is an article about the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix qualifying session, written from the perspective of a journalist in attendance. It describes the chaotic drive to the track, the threatening weather conditions, and the interactions with drivers during the media pen session. The journalist begins by describing the difficulties of getting to the media parking due to road closures and traffic management. Upon arriving at the track, dark clouds descend, and the journalist predicts rain. Despite the weather, qualifying starts on time, and the journalist waits in the media pen for the drivers to come through. Alex Albon and Daniel Ricciardo are among the first drivers to speak to the media. Albon asks the journalists about who is running on used tires, while Ricciardo is cheerful despite his uncertain future in Formula 1. Carlos Sainz expresses concern about the threat of Max Verstappen, who is starting eleventh on the grid. Lewis Hamilton is one of the last drivers to join the media. The journalist notes that Hamilton’s demeanor has improved compared to the previous season. The journalist also speaks to McLaren’s team boss, Andrea Stella, who speaks passionately about the team and its drivers. As the rain starts to fall again, the journalist ends her day at McLaren’s camper. She expresses excitement for the upcoming race and hopes for a good and safe day of racing. The article concludes with a link to another related article about the FIA penalizing an F1 star at the Belgian Grand Prix.
After a relatively quiet fridaythe drive in was uniquely chaotic as always in spa. despite being only 20 minutes away it took almost an hour to get to the media parking with road closures and traffic management.
Walking to the track, dark clouds began to descend around the circuit and I soon knew that Spa was about to do what Spa does best… rain.
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With training sessions severely disrupted by the weather, there were questions surrounding qualifying and whether we would face lengthy rain delays. with postponed F2 race.
Sitting in the commentary box waiting for the Formula 2 race to start, the rain started to hit the windows as a tractor lumbered down the start-finish straight. I love it when Formula 1 meets the more rural side of things.
Claire Cottingham in the Spa F1 paddock for GPFans
Despite the heavy rain showers and threatening clouds above the Ardennes forest, qualification has started on time. I walked down to wait at the media pen until the first disabled drivers came in. As print media, we are often divided into two groups and usually there is a potluck which driver comes to your group.
As Alex Albon continued to watch the end of Q2, occasionally asking journalists who was running on used tyres, the bottom five came through.
Ricciardo cheerful despite uncertain future
Daniel Ricciardo, who qualified 13th, was the next to come through and made his way to the other group. I jokingly shouted “Favouritism!” He flashed his pearly whites at me and replied: “I’m shouting loudly so you can hear or let me know what’s being said!”
After a long chat he was done. As he left he turned to me and joked: “They said I should have got pole, said I was great and that I should win tomorrow,” as he walked away laughing.
Daniel Ricciardo continues to act as paddock joker
What did the Formula 1 grid say?
Carlos Sainz was one of the next to come through, forming a B-line for our group. When he opened up questions to the Spaniard, he seemed quite relaxed in his answers. One thing he didn’t seem so relaxed about, however, was the threat of Max Verstappen tomorrow. It seemed like many believed that Verstappen would blast through the pack, despite starting eleventh on the gridwhich reminds me of 2022.
Lewis Hamilton was one of the last to join us. As he walked towards us, he had his phone on landscape mode and pointed at us. “Are you taking a picture of us?” I asked innocently. “Yes!” Hamilton said, before politely waiting for the first question.
Not having interviewed Lewis for a few races I was happy to see the sparkle in his eyes again. Towards the end of last season he often looked frustrated or sad so it was great to see him back to the sharp end.
Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will be keen on a podium finish at Spa
McLaren’s warm welcome
As the rain started to fall again, I ended my day at McLaren’s camper to talk to Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and team boss Andrea Stella. The two drivers arrived a little late, probably because the engineering meetings were running behind, and the Italian got us going, speaking passionately about McLaren.
Stella is no stranger to the spotlight and McLaren, but you can feel his warmth radiating throughout the team, especially to his drivers. His calm, almost debauched statements and reactions often make me think and every time I hear from him I learn something new. I am personally excited to see where this next chapter goes.
As I left the track it was clear that the organisers had once again chosen to take us past the houses and residential areas around the track, adding a good 45 minutes to our journey. However, I was excited about what tomorrow would bring and hoped for a good and safe day of racing.
READ MORE: FIA slams F1 star with astonishing 60-PLACE penalty at Belgian Grand Prix
Related
The post F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton’s sparkle returns with podium potential at Spa – GPFans F1 Paddock Pass first appeared on Frugals ca.
