Formula 1
Mercedes Belgian GP - Spa Friday practice report
Mercedes press release
Published: Aug 26, 2011, 6:33 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team completed two busy practice sessions today in preparation for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Conditions were typical of the Ardennes, with numerous showers through the day.
• The MERCEDES GP PETRONAS drivers completed a total of 74 laps in practice, equivalent to over 515 km running
• Both drivers ran a selection of development parts during the day, including a modified front wing this afternoon
• The technical programme included evaluations of different downforce levels in the mixed wet-dry conditions
Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP
Photo by: xpb.cc
Nico Rosberg
"It was quite difficult out there today in typical Spa conditions, but we still managed to have two good practice sessions. We learned a few things in both the dry and the wet, and managed to do some tests for both the race and qualifying, so I'm quite positive ahead of tomorrow."
Michael Schumacher
"It was a special feeling to be out on track today for the first practice sessions of this anniversary weekend in Spa.
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes GP
Photo by: xpb.cc
A lot of things have changed here in the past twenty years, but the weather certainly hasn't! Today was another typical Spa day, with mixed conditions and very little dry running. The conditions meant that we couldn't do much work on the set-up, although we made the most of the limited time when the circuit was dry. Even so, it will be tricky to find the right set-up compromise for Sunday, because the weather here is always so unpredictable."
We managed to run well in the limited dry windows and learned a lot about the balance of the car
Ross Brawn
Ross Brawn
"We had a very mixed day in terms of weather conditions; however, the team did a good and comprehensive job. We managed to run well in the limited dry windows and learned a lot about the balance of the car in dry conditions. The challenge for Sunday will be whether to favour a wet or dry set-up, so we will need to see how the weather develops tomorrow. We will then focus on what we expect to experience in the race, rather than the qualifying conditions. This is a track which responds very strongly to high downforce in the wet but it can be quite a disadvantage in the dry. Overall, today has seen a good day's work with the cars functioning well."
It was a typical start to a Spa weekend, just like we've known it for many years
Norbert Haug
Norbert Haug
"It was a typical start to a Spa weekend, just like we've known it for many years - partly dry but mostly wet. Both Nico and Michael did quite a lot of laps and our basis for the weekend on this unique and challenging circuit seems not too bad. The forecast predicts rain for tomorrow, so we need to be prepared for a very challenging qualifying session and we want to make sure we get the best possible results out of it."
Driver Car No. Chassis No. Practice 1 Practice 2 Nico Rosberg 8 MGP W02 / 07 15 laps, 1:54.829, P2 23 laps, 1:51.242, P8 Michael Schumacher 7 MGP W02 / 09 13 laps, 1:54.355, P1 23 laps, 1:51.922, P11
Weather - Limited dry periods with frequent showers Temperatures - Air: 20-23°C - Track: 19-25°C
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Red Bull Belgian GP - Spa Friday practice report
Next article Pirelli Belgian GP - Spa Friday practice report
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Nico Rosberg
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
Formula 1
Formula 1 9 h
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
Nico Rosberg compares Ferrari’s clashes to his own Mercedes F1 rivalry: “The instructions are not clear enough”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Nico Rosberg compares Ferrari’s clashes to his own Mercedes F1 rivalry: “The instructions are not clear enough”
James Vowles faces "tough moment" as Nico Rosberg calls Williams woes "a shocker"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
James Vowles faces "tough moment" as Nico Rosberg calls Williams woes "a shocker"
More from
Mercedes
Kimi Antonelli meets Italian president Sergio Mattarella
Formula 1
Formula 1 15 h
Kimi Antonelli meets Italian president Sergio Mattarella
Latest news
The ten closest finishes from the 2026 NASCAR season
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 8 h
The ten closest finishes from the 2026 NASCAR season
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 9 h
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
10 h
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
12 h
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe