2002 Belgian GP

Set deep in the Ardennes forest, Spa-Francorchamps is a fantastic track that sweeps through the countryside like a roller-coaster and is truly a favourite among the drivers. The infamous Eau Rouge is one of the fastest and most challenging corners on the F1 calendar and the slope of the track enables teams to see from the paddock area, from La Source hairpin (the first corner) right to the top of Eau Rouge.

A large proportion of the circuit is used as a public road apart from on race weekends, when the track is formed to become the longest on the F1 calendar. The first Belgian round of the Formula One World Championship was held in 1950 on a nine-mile track at Spa. Using roads running through forests and villages, the venue was dropped from the calendar on safety grounds after 1970 and the current circuit uses only a fraction of the original layout. Unpredictable weather conditions often add to the excitement of this race, where there can be torrential rain at one end of the track whilst it remains bone dry at the other end.

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, 30 AUGUST – 1 SEPTEMBER 2002
Jordan has scored more points at Spa during the team’s twelve-year history in F1 than at any other circuit and the track has been the site of some of Jordan’s most memorable results. In 1998 Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher accomplished their historic 1-2 victory, Giancarlo Fisichella came second in 1997, his first season with Jordan, and the team achieved its first pole position here with Rubens Barrichello in 1994. In the last five years at Spa, the team has achieved a points finish in every race and in 2002, DHL Jordan Honda is hoping that the Belgian Grand Prix will be rewarding once again.

Gary Anderson, Director of Race and Test Engineering, said, “Spa is demanding and a good track for drivers. There are a lot of corners that require the driver to be right up there in terms of commitment. With regards to the car, horse power is important and the balance between straight line speed and downforce has to be good because there are a couple of fairly long straights. It’s a challenging weekend. One of the biggest trials can be the weather because it can be anything at any time and you can only benefit if you’re ready. I don’t think we’ve got any particularly big advantages in wet conditions but either way, our drivers are willing and able to take it on.”

Due to this mornings fog, the first of the two practice sessions was delayed and reduced to half an hour instead of the usual hour. However, the second practice session is due to resume as normal.

Due to the fog, the medical helicopter would have been unable to land at a local hospital and so the session was delayed until the fog had sufficiently cleared.

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit might be the most beautiful race track in the world and a favourite with most of the drivers, but it has a nasty habit of upsetting the well ordered world of F1.

Today was no exception and although the sun was shining on the track, fog was preventing the rescue helicopter from landing at the nearest hospital. According to the sport’s safety rules that meant the cars could not run, so the first half of the day’s events was reduced from an hour to just 30 minutes with only a half hour gap in between.

Although Friday’s times can never be taken too seriously, McLaren will have been encouraged to see their two drivers top the time sheet with Kimi Raikkonen ahead of David Coulthard.

DHL Jordan Honda drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato finished this mornings practice session 11th and 16th respectively, as the team worked towards finding the optimum set-up for qualifying.

DHL Jordan Honda’s efforts returned disappointing rewards during a punishing qualifying session at Spa-Francorchamps, which resulted in Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato taking 14th and 16th positions. Fisichella lost control of his EJ12 when the rear brakes locked and the car slid off the track at turn 7 during his second flying lap. He set his quickest time in the T-car on his final run. Both drivers struggled somewhat with balance and grip levels, however the team achieved all that was possible in the available time.

Qualifying for the Belgian GP is always one of the highpoints of the season, as tackling the seven kilometre monster Spa track at full speed is a thrilling spectacle. Sadly, it was not too thrilling for the DHL Jordan Honda team which resulted in Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato taking 14th and 16th positions. Fisichella lost control of his EJ12 when the rear brakes locked and the car slid off the track at turn 7 during his second flying lap. He set his quickest time in the T-car on his final run. Both drivers struggled somewhat with balance and grip levels, however the team achieved all that was possible in the available time.

With Giancarlo Fisichella finishing the session with the 16th fastest time, the morning warm-up did not prove fortunate for Takuma Sato, who spun and damaged his car at the exit of Stavelot.

A brave one stop strategy nearly got Giancarlo Fisichella into the points from 14th on the grid. He was the only driver to opt for this tactic. In the end, he was forced to retire after a spectacular engine blow up, complete with flaming accompaniment. A recalcitrant wheel nut during his first pit stop delayed Takuma Sato, but after that the DHL Jordan Honda man was on the pace and brought the car home in eleventh spot.

As has been the case so often this year, the day belonged to Ferrari and Michael Schumacher. In a class of his own, he romped away from pole, never losing the lead except briefly during the routine pit stops.