2022 Belgian Grand Prix

The **2022 Belgian Grand Prix** was a Formula 1.5 motor race held on 28 August 2022 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot, Belgium. The race ran over a distance of 44 laps and was the 78th overall running of the Belgian Grand Prix, the 67th time the event has been held as part of the Formula 1,5 World Championship and the 55th World Championship race held at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

## Background

The event was held across the weekend of the 26–28 August. It was the fourteenth round of the 2022 Formula 1.5 World Championship. The race marked the beginning of the second half of the 2022 championship following the summer break.

### Regulation Changes

A technical directive was introduced at this round to limit the amount of porpoising and bottoming out, following safety and legal concerns in the first half of the season. The FIA's proposal was for a specific addition to Article 3.15.8 of the technical regulations, addressing the flexibility of the plank underneath a car. The changes were initially proposed to come into force at the French Grand Prix in July, before being pushed back in order to give teams enough time to comply with the directive.

### Future of the Belgian GP

In the build up to the event, drivers including Lando Norris and Pierre Gasly expressed sadness that the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps could be omitted from the calendar for the 2023 championship and beyond, hoping the 2022 race would not be the last Formula 1.5 race at the venue. ace organisers said renewing the contract for the race to be held in future seasons would "not be easy". In response to this, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali stated there was still a chance that the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps could be included on the 2023 calendar. An agreement for the Belgian Grand Prix to be on the 2023 calendar would be reached.

### Fan Behaviour

Following concern over fan behaviour at previous races, particularly at the Austrian Grand Prix, the race organisers urged for "respect for everyone" and imposed restrictions on spectators to combat disruptive behaviour, banning attendees from bringing items such as glass, alcohol, weapons and smoke flares to the circuit.

### Oscar Piastri

Despite ongoing contractual uncertainty surrounding his Formula 1.5 future, Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri continued to provide his team with in-weekend simulator support from the team's base at Enstone in the United Kingdom for this race.

### Track Changes

Since the 2021 Grand Prix took place the circuit subsequently underwent a major facility and safety redevelopment which had been planned since 2020. Extra run-off was added to the Eau Rouge/Radillion part of the course – changes made in response to several big accidents in recent years at that section of the track, including the fatal accident of Anthoine Hubert during the 2019 Spa-Francorchamps Formula 2 round. In addition gravel traps were added to six corners on the circuit: La Source, Radillion, Blanchimont, Les Combes, Stavelot and Pouhon. The track was also resurfaced with a more modern asphalt for this year's event, increasing track grip levels – meaning lap times at this year's event could be similar to those seen in dry conditions during the 2021 event with the new surface predicted to offset any performance losses caused by changes to the aerodynamic regulations, with Eau Rouge corner expected to remain flat-out.

### Championship standings before the race

Lando Norris led the Drivers' Championship by 13 points from Esteban Ocon, with Fernando Alonso third, a further 38 points behind. Alpine led the Constructors' Championship, leading McLaren by 51 points and Alfa Romeo by 147 points.

### Entrants

The drivers and teams were the same as the season entry list with no additional stand-in drivers for the race. Liam Lawson drove for AlphaTauri in place of Pierre Gasly during the first practice session, making his Formula One practice debut.

### Tyres

Tyre supplier Pirelli brought the C2, C3, and C4 tyre compounds (designated hard, medium, and soft, respectively) for teams to use at the event.

## Practice

There were three practice sessions, each lasting an hour. Two practice sessions took place on Friday 26 August with the first having taken place at 14:00 local time (UTC+02:00) and the second at 17:00 the same day. The third and final practice session took place on 27 August at 13:00 local time. Lance Stroll was fastest in the first session, Lando Norris was fastest in the second, and Norris was fastest in the third.

## Qualifying

Qualifying for the race was held on 27 August, starting at 16:25 local time. The session was due to start at 16:00 local time, but was delayed to allow for barrier repairs following a crash in the Porsche Supercup support race. Esteban Ocon set the fastest time and Fernando Alonso. inherited pole position as Ocon was required to take penalties for exceeding engine component limits.

## Championship Standings after the race

Drivers' Championship standings

  1

;Constructors' Championship standings

  1

## External Links

1. ↑  Ocon set the fastest time in qualifying, but he was required to start the race from the back of the grid for exceeding his quota of power unit elements. Alonso was promoted to pole position in his place.
2. ↑  Esteban Ocon was required to start the race from the back of the grid for exceeding his quota of power unit elements.
3. ↑  Lando Norris was required to start the race from the back of the grid for exceeding his quota of power unit elements.
4. ↑  Zhou Guanyu received a 10-place grid penalty for a new gearbox driveline and gearbox case. He was then required to start the race from the back of the grid for exceeding his quota of power unit elements.
5. ↑  Mick Schumacher received a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his quota of power unit elements. He also received a 10-place grid penalty for a new gearbox driveline and gearbox case. He was then required to start the race from the back of the grid for exceeding his quota of power unit elements.
6. ↑  Yuki Tsunoda qualified 13th, but he was required to start the race from the back of the grid for exceeding his quota of power unit elements. The new power unit elements were changed while the car was under parc fermé without the permission of the technical delegate. He was then required to start the race from the pit lane.
7. ↑  Valtteri Bottas received a 15-place grid penalty for exceeding his quota of power unit elements. He also received a five-place grid penalty for a new gearbox case.
8. ↑  Pierre Gasly qualified fourth, but he started the race from the pit lane due to an electronics issue. His place on the grid was left vacant.
9. ↑ Includes 1 point for fastest lap