F1 returns this week after summer break at Belgian Grand Prix

We had checked our race calendars well before today and knew that F1's self-imposed summer break would end this week as the circus touches down at

By Team autoX | on August 19, 2013 Follow us on Autox Google News

We had checked our race calendars well before today and knew that F1's self-imposed summer break would end this week as the circus touches down at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend for the Belgian Grand Prix.

THE 'SAMURAI' SPEAKS

However, we would like to think that the unofficial 'green flag' for F1's return was when the sport's 'resident samurai' used micro-blogging site Twitter to share a few words of wisdom.

The Warrior that uses the sword when is insulted can not be considered brave, brave man does not flinch, because he has higher goals..

This was an update on former double world champion Fernando Alonso's twitter handle (@alo_oficial) on Monday, which signalled the Spaniard's readiness to prevent Sebastian Vettel from clinching his fourth straight world championship.

Samurai words of wisdom via social media have become something of a recurring theme for Alonso since last year now and are usually timed in accordance with important points of an F1 campaign.

GETTING BUSY

The days leading into this week have seen an increase in F1 related news and activity, thankfully all of it to do with the happenings on the track as of now.

Kimi Raikkonen made news as he tested a GP3 car to give chassis manufacturer Dallara feedback for next year.

And the F1 'silly season' that revolved around speculation of who would replace Mark Webber at Red Bull Racing came to an abrupt halt as well.

Fairly reliable reports that Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo would step up to take Webber's place meant that the idle chatter around a move by Raikkonen or Alonso to Red Bull will remain just that.

The defending constructors' and drivers' world champions seem to have opted for stability if the Ricciardo move is confirmed at Spa.

The likeable Australian who made his debut at the erstwhile HRT F1 team in 2011 has proved to be fast in qualifying and a reliable enough racer.

Ricciardo has also been heartily endorsed by the driver he will be replacing at Red Bull.

Webber will, however, focus on giving his best at Spa before giving up his seat.

A STIFF CHALLENGE

The circuit that is currently hailed as the best 'driver's circuit' puts heavy demands on F1 machinery as well as the drivers who pilot them.

Not in the least the tyres. Yes, those things you kept hearing about until this year's British GP.

Pirelli is bringing its medium (white stripe) and hard (orange stripe) dry compound tyres to the event. Possibly more crucial would be the intermediate (green) and wet (blue) weather tyres at the circuit that is notorious for changeable weather conditions.

GUESSING THE FORM BOOK

The drivers and teams that will make the most of whatever Spa throws at them is a little hard to nail down though.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have taken pole in seven of the last eight races but only on two occasions have converted pole to a win.

Both wins have come at tight and twisty circuits - hardly a way to describe Spa! - but Hamilton's Hungarian GP win is being tipped as a turning point in the season due to the win coming in hot conditions that were heavy on tyres.

Tyres have been Mercedes' weak point since they started to contend for poles, podiums and wins in 2012 but with two talented young drivers and some of the best technical minds in the pitlane representing the three pointed star, you have to bet on them coming good sooner or later.

Probably more ominous for rivals is the speculation that Mercedes will have a 100 bhp advantage over their rivals in the engine department come 2014, when F1 switches to 1.6-litre, turbocharged V-6 units with energy recovery of up to 160 bhp.

But that, however, would be looking a little too far ahead. For now, lets just wait and see what Spa has to offer.

Please tell us your city. This allows us to provide relevant content for you.