"What on earth is he doing?!" says Pascal Wehrlein on the team radio (what he actually said has been censored.

The Manor driver is angry as he comes out of Eau Rouge and thinks Esteban Gutierrez has forced him on to the grass on the inside.

"That should be a penalty!" he shouts.

So, what has Paddy Lowe told us there?

Firstly, there's a third engine gone into Lewis Hamilton's car this weekend - so that will take Hamilton up to a 45-place grid penalty (if my maths is right).

Secondly, Hamilton will only race in the first qualifying session, because he's already guaranteed to start at the back of the grid.

Why even do Q1? Because cars that don't set a time within 107% of the quickest lap in Q1 are not allowed to race (unless the stewards give them a waiver), so it's not worth the risk sitting it out.

Mercedes executive director Paddy Lowe on BBC Radio 5 live: "This is the third engine going into Lewis Hamilton's car. But people don't realise we put them all in on Thursday to check there were no surprises when they went in for real.

"So this is probably the fifth time they've put them in and it's a great job from the guys. If you do it carefully it will take three hours but you can do it in 90 minutes if you're pressed.

"We'll probably just run the minimum necessary in qualifying. We want to give Lewis the strongest possible race from the back and with the maximum number of tyres."

Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

These track temperatures are throwing the teams a curve ball. Ferrari have turned up with a lot of the super-softs tyres which are wearing quickly.

Here we go then - final practice is go.

It's sunny!published at 09:57 British Summer Time 27 August 2016

09:57 BST 27 August 2016

You can just about make out the temperature at Spa through the haze created by the searing heat. Thanks to Francesca Bent, our BBC Radio 5 live sports extra producer for this snap.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Spa-Francorchamps

Image source, AFP

As has become familiar, teams and drivers are unhappy with what are very high - in traditional F1 terms - mandatory minimum tyre pressures this weekend.

Pirelli has set them at 23.5psi at the front and 22psi at the rear - in the region of 20% higher than teams would consider a ‘normal’ pressure.

This is to guard against the failures seen here last year but it means vastly reduced grip. Haas’ Romain Grosjean was heard complaining about this on the radio a number of times, and Felipe Massa blamed it for Williams’ unexpectedly poor performance in being 16th and 17th fastest in second practice.

“I've never run such a high tyre pressure, like we have, in my whole career,” the Brazilian said. “And this is a bit of a joke.”    

Spa is just one those tracks that just makes F1 fans feel magical - even ones who go on to be commentators.

  A lovable dork, Jack.  

Image source, AP

So, Lewis Hamilton will definitely suffer a 30-place grid penalty for Sunday's race. But, in reality, that could grow to a record 75-place grid penalty.

How, why, what, huh?

All very good questions. Here are some answers:

• The world champion has a 30-place grid penalty for using too many engine parts. Hamilton has twice taken a new engine this weekend already
• More changes are expected to parts on the engine, potentially taking the penalty up to 75 grid places
• Why change everything on the same weekend? Well, there are only 22 cars on the grid, so you might as well take the hit all at once and start 22nd. They can't make him start 75th
• Isn't this a bit odd? Yes. But it's F1 - don't pretend you're surprised.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Spa-Francorchamps

Image source, Getty Images

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is being cheered on this weekend by thousands of Dutch fans who have crossed the border to cheer on their national hero - and are doing so in what are untypically balmy conditions.

But if they hit the beer coolers on Friday evening believing their boy had a chance of pole after he set the pace on the first day, they are likely to be disappointed.

Mercedes were very much keeping their powder dry and did not run the super-soft tyres at all in the afternoon. Nico Rosberg said the Red Bulls were “quick” but if anyone else starts the race from the front this weekend, it would be a major surprise.    

And, while you're at it, why not send us a photo if you're at Spa?

Use #bbcf1 so we can see it on Twitter.,=

Lewis Hamilton is guaranteed to be on the back of the grid tomorrow whatever happens, so there's not too much to be gained from his qualifying run out.

So what are sport's other most pointless exercises?

Third practice starts at 10:00 BST - with commentary from our team available online from 09:55 BST.

I'll be back at 12:00 BST for build-up to qualifying, which begins at 13:00 BST - with commentary online at 12:55 BST and updates into BBC Radio 5 live.

Jack Nicholls leads our commentary team, alongside former F1 driver Allan McNish, with Tom Clarkson prowling the pit-lane.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Spa-Francorchamps

Image source, PA

Will Lewis Hamilton gun for the fastest qualifying time this afternoon despite the fact that he knows he will start from the back of the grid, just for the fun of it?

He said he “didn’t particularly care” about that. Hamilton has a grand total of 30 grid places in terms of a penalty - and it may yet be more - and he said: “I’m just focusing on getting the car as well prepared for the race as possible. I can’t do anything for Nico. I’ll let him do him and me do me.”

He didn’t sound as upbeat about the prospect of a battle through the field as he had when he arrived on Thursday but his chin was definitely still up, despite being 13th fastest in second practice. “I feel OK,” he said. “It is going to be an interesting Sunday but I’m excited.

Image source, Getty Images

So far, a total of 75 grid places have been meted out as punishment this weekend.

That's 30 for Lewis Hamilton, 35 for Fernando Alonso and 10 for Marcus Ericsson.

Image source, Getty Images

Ever had one of those days at work where you feel it made no difference whether you bothered turning up or not?

I mean I haven't, obviously (my bosses are reading).

But today could be one of those days for Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso - the pair will start at the back of the grid no matter what happens in qualifying today.

Get a blanket boys, crack open a box-set, and get comfortable on the sofa. Today's your day off.