The world's eyes were on Belgium in the Formula One races at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in last Sunday's race in very strong and fierce competition, as Max Verstappen topped the first free trials of the Belgian Grand Prix, but he was punished by falling ten places for exceeding the permissible engine limit in the Formula One World Championship. For cars on the Friday before last.

The Red Bull team acknowledged that the penalty was unavoidable in Sunday's race, but the Dutch world champion driver, who changed the power unit for the fifth time this season, won the last two races at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium after penalties for being late to the starting line.

Verstappen topped the first test, recording one minute and 43.372 seconds on soft tires, more than half a second ahead of his closest competitor, McLaren driver Oscar Bestre, who won the last Hungarian race.

Williams driver Alexander Albon finished third, followed by Mercedes duo George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, then Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen, who is aiming for a fourth consecutive title, leads the world championship standings by 76 points over McLaren driver Lando Norris.

- Hours after winning, Russell loses the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix title

Last Sunday, the International Federation of Motor Racing (FIA) decided to strip Mercedes driver George Russell of the Belgian Grand Prix title in the Formula One World Championship after discovering that his car was less than the minimum permissible weight.

The FIA ​​stated in a statement after the race last Sunday that the weight of Russell's car reached 796.5 kg after draining it of fuel during post-race checks, which is 1.5 kg less than the minimum weight stipulated by it.
Regulations amounting to 798 kg.

- Lewis Hamilton, the defending champion, won for him...and lost for George Russell

After Russell was stripped of the Belgian Grand Prix title, which would have been his second win this season in the World Championship, the title was awarded to his colleague Lewis Hamilton, who achieved second place during the race, ahead of McLaren driver Oscar Pistri, who advanced to second place, and Charles was also promoted. Leclerc, Ferrari driver, ranked third.

The matter was referred to the race observers for careful study, according to a statement by the International Federation, the FIA, as the Mercedes team was unable to explain why the car’s weight was less than the permissible limit.

The race observers responded by saying that during the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement was correct and that all required procedures were implemented correctly. The team also acknowledged that there were no factors that led to the weight of the car being reduced, and that the error was real on the part of the team.

- The FIA ​​is considering adapting Formula One cars to avoid what happened in Qatar last year

Media reports said that Formula One will test cooling systems in the cabins of racers' cars, after concerns about drivers being exposed to extreme temperatures.

A recent report stated that a Formula One car can become very uncomfortable, especially with the combination of hot weather and drivers wearing a racing helmet and fire-retardant clothing that must be worn for two hours on race day.

In last year's Qatar Grand Prix, drivers experienced temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, and humidity exceeding 70 percent.

Many drivers were transferred to medical centers to undergo examinations after the race, and American Williams driver Logan Sargent was even forced to withdraw from the race due to the heat, while Frenchman Alpine driver Esteban Ocon said that he vomited in his car, hence the FIA’s decision to amend the regulations.

The ventilation system in the cockpit will direct cool air to the driver. The tests will be conducted after the mid-season break, which has already begun after the Belgian Grand Prix last Sunday.

It is possible that the Dutch Grand Prix, which is scheduled to be held on August 25, will be the starting and starting point in this regard. Let us wait with you for the next race on August 25 in the Netherlands and the Grand Prix at the Zandvoort Circuit, and who will be the first-place title holder in this race, and after it. We are following the rest of the races of the International Formula One Championship on the rest of the various circuits until we reach the final race of the championship in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on December 8, 2024.