Belgium GP Preview - Ferrari's chances

The summer break has come to an end, and teams are all geared up for remainder of races.

First up, is the Belgian GP held at the Spa Francorchamps circuit. The circuit is the most exciting of all tracks and the most unpredictable too, as the long circuit and dense forest surrounding it has seen rains at one end and completely dry at the other, at the same time.

The track is rigourous on engines, as the cars spend almost 70% of the lap on full throttle, due to the two long straights. The top speed of cars can go up to a maximum speed of 330km/hr. It also has a few slow and one super-quick turn.

This means, cars with most aero efficiency, along with strong and powerful engines would tackle the track better.

Ferrari engines, after the intital bust ups, have performed the best so far, and hence the team can rely on it for a good result this weekend, though the mercedes engine has been top of the crop this year.

Further, straight line speed advantage gained by the f-duct, might come in to handy here, but team would go for it only after evaluation during the free practice sessions on friday and saturday morning.

This track has the longest lap of all the circuits for the season, which would benefit teams having good fuel efficiency, that would play a crucial role during qualifying, as cars with the lightest amount of fuel stand to gain the most.

Though Ferrari engines have been said to have an disadvantage on that front, there were rumours last week of Shell supplying Ferrari a new formulation of gasoline and lubricant that could reduce consumption by 7% and increase power by 5%.

Nothing has been confirmed, but if even a slight improvement in that area would be good for Ferrari's chances in the coming races.

The Spa track is also severe on tyres, especially when coming downhill from the Eau Rouge, that puts immense pressure, degrading the tyres faster.

Here again it's advantage Ferrari, as it's cars have been the most gentle on tyres, thus lesser tyre wear, as compared to say, McLaren, who are most severe on it's tyres.

Ferrari are bringing further upgrades to the blown double diffusers, hence aero efficiency-wise it will stand better than earlier, though Red Bull has been the best in that department so far.

Driver's Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso are upbeat on their chances and quite optimistic about the upgrades.

“We look in good shape, with some new parts coming as part of our constant development programme on the F10", said Massa.

While Alonso, speaking on his blog at Ferrari.com, had good feeling going in to the race, "I have a good feeling following on from the positive results obtained in Germany and Hungary."

If all goes well, Ferrari can hope for a win, or at the least hope both it's drivers end up on podium this weekend.