Wonderduck's Pond

August 22, 2016

F1 on TV: Belgium 2016

Well. The alarm has gone off, sun is shining through the window, coffee has been imbibed, and no matter how many ways you try to deny it, summer break is over and it's time for the F1 Circus to get back to work. And that means yours truly has to actually attempt to be clever and witty about something he's covered for 10 years or more. Fortunately, it's easy to write about this race, for it's the Grand Prix of Belgium, and that means we're at Spa-Francopants! Here's the track map for this longest of F1 circuits:

It's only 7km long, a mere pittance to the original 15km brute that had a nasty habit of killing the men racing on it. You sorta have to expect that, what with the "track" actually being public roads, and the only barriers were the occasional haybale. And trees. Lots and lots of trees. Also houses. While it's be awe-inspiring to see a 2016 F1 car on the old layout, much of the awe would come from wondering just when the driver was going to die.

The chances of that result, it must be said, increases as the quality of the weather decreases... and as Spa-Francoamerican is located in the Ardennes Forest, home of its own little microclimate. Rain is common, often on one part of the circuit while the opposite side is bone dry. Makes for fun tire choices, that.

Speaking of fun, the good Walloons of the Legendary Announce Team will be doing their usual level best to bring us their swell coverage. Here's the broadcast schedule:
Friday
Practice 2: 7a - 830a live on NBCSN
Saturday
Quals: 7a - 830a live on CNBC
Sunday
2016 Grand Prix of Belgium: 630a - 9a live on NBCSN

Of course, all times Pond Central. I leave it up to the reader as a test of their mental acuity to figure out how to manipulate the times for their location. Post no bills. Of course, some time after the race, the Legendary Crew of F1 Update! will present their usual writeup of variable quality. Look forward to it, why don't you?

See ya then!