F1 | Belgian GP, ​​Vettel and Leclerc on the track in memory of Hubert

Formula 1 teams and drivers have arrived in Belgium, where the seventh race of the season will be staged this weekend on the legendary Spa-Francorchamps track.

Seven kilometers of asphalt with some of the most beautiful curves in the world, starting with the uphill S of Eau Rouge-Raidillon which this morning was shrouded in fog in what was an almost autumnal landscape, completely different from what the teams and riders had left in Spain less than a fortnight ago, with over 50 degrees on the asphalt and an almost suffocating heat. In the late morning the sun gained courage and cleared the low clouds, warming and coloring the atmosphere even if temperatures never exceeded 20 degrees.

One year ago. The memory of what happened a year ago in the Formula 2 Feature Race on Saturday dominated the press conference to present the Grand Prix. That day, in the accident that occurred on the second lap of the race, the French driver Anthoine Hubert lost his life, while the American Juan Manuel Correa was seriously injured and is still recovering from that terrible episode.

Anthoine was a close friend of Charles who the following day won the first Formula 1 Grand Prix of his career: “The number one win in this category is always memorable, but I think mine was really special. From that tragic afternoon I remember the tears in the paddock – said the Monegasque –. The following day, at the end of the minute's silence observed on the starting grid, Pierre Gasly he came up to me and said 'You have to win for him'. The fact that we succeeded and that we were able to dedicate that race to him made it unique."

“I carry many memories of Anthoine in my heart – continued Charles – both on and off the track. In particular, I remember our battles in the karting days, when in addition to the two of us there were also Pierre and Esteban Ocon. Our first race comes to mind, he won but I came second. We were always together: if we weren't dueling on the track, we were certainly somewhere, even a parking lot was fine, playing football. They were particularly carefree years."

Difficult moment. Even Sebastian, who like Charles pinned the pin with the star and number 19 created to commemorate Hubert on his chest, wanted to remember the talent of the Renault Sport Academy: “We all love this track even if this year each of us, crossing the gates, had a thought for Anthoine. He was a much loved and very promising boy. I think we all still remember the dark atmosphere of that Saturday evening. My first thought, in the wake of emotion, I remember was that of not running, of not even wanting to get into the car. Then emotion, as is natural, gives way to rationality and when you lower the visor you automatically leave certain thoughts out of the helmet and out of your mind. We are still very sad about what happened and we feel close to his family. Unfortunately, motorsport can be extraordinary for the emotions it offers, but it can also be terrible when similar situations occur."

Plan. From tomorrow, therefore, the visors will be lowered and everyone's thoughts will shift to times, lap performance and the performance of cars and tyres. The two free practice sessions will start at 11am and 15pm CET respectively. On Saturday the last 60 minutes in preparation for the 15pm qualifying will take place at 12pm, while on Sunday 30 August the 65th Belgian Grand Prix will start at 15.10pm.