Fernando Alonso offers 'F2' comparison ahead of 'thirsty' Belgian GP

Fernando Alonso has detailed the energy management dilemma F1 teams are going to face in a "thirsty" Belgian Grand Prix.

Spa is regarded as one of the most energy-starved circuits on the calendar, owing to the long flat-out blasts from Turn 1 and up Eau Rouge to Les Combes and from Stavelot, through Blanchimont to the final Bus Stop Chicane.

Whilst energy charging opportunities are possible in Sector 2 through the heart of the lap, Sectors 1 and 3 are among the most challenging of the season for drivers to manage the 50:50 split in power output between the ICE and batteries.

Detailing the choice facing teams, Alonso described how deploying from La Source to Les Combes would mean a lap was "finito" whilst the optimal deployment strategy also had a major flaw.

"Silverstone and Spa, they are very thirsty on energy," Alonso told media, including RacingNews365, in the build-up to the British GP last time out. 

"You cannot deploy in all the straights. Next week, it is going to be the same thing. If you deploy in Spa from Turn 1 (La Source) to 5 (Les Combes), it is finito for the rest of the lap.

"So, you need to save a little bit there to have deployment from Turn 14 (Stavelot) to the Bus Stop chicane.

"But if you deploy in those two straights, which is the optimal deployment, then there is one minute, sector two, with no deployment at all. 

"And with no deployment at all, we cannot forget that this year we have significantly less power than last year and less power than F2. 

"That is the case when you cut the deployment. So, yes, it is a challenge."