Anyway, back to the track. Lando Norris is fourth to post a time, a 1:48.463. In his first F1 practice (in for Alonso today) it's not bad. Should we be expecting good things from Norris?

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Spa

Keep an eye out in this first practice session for Lando Norris, who is driving Fernando Alonso’s McLaren for 90 minutes in what is his first taste of F1 on a race weekend, after several tests. The 18-year-old Englishman is McLaren’s reserve driver and the team are very much viewing this outing, and one in Monza next weekend, as a chance to get a direct comparison between Norris and Stoffel Vandoorne.

There is a seat up for grabs for next year, after all, and they are two of the three contenders - the other being Esteban Ocon. Vandoorne said on Thursday he was “confident” he would keep his seat but most would say that confidence is misplaced, even if it’s a possibility.

Norris appeared very much a shoo-in when he started his debut Formula Two season so impressively earlier this year but some shaky races have made McLaren think he might be better doing another year there.

This is his chance to convince them otherwise, even if a practice session is not the same as the intensity of a full season.

Ocon is the obvious choice in terms of performance and experience, but the fact he is tied to Mercedes is a sticking point. Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff is pushing Ocon at McLaren but McLaren are not overly enamoured with Mercedes at the moment on the political side.

They believe they are effectively setting up a B team at Racing Point Force India and fear what that could do to their competitiveness.

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Or Racing Point Force India, as they are now known. A bit of a mouthful really, but not quite as bad as AG2R La Mondiale - one of the pro cycling teams. Try saying that quickly during a moment of madness during a race. Good luck Jack, Jennie and Jolyon.

Last night it was announced for legal reasons that their team would be changing names due to the new financer (Lawrence Stroll and friends). Good to see them back on the circuit, and luckily without missing any races, but sadly nul pwa.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Spa

The new team I mentioned? That’ll be Racing Points Force India, the rather ungainly moniker for the reconstituted Force India team following their collapse into administration and subsequent rescue by a consortium of businessmen led by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, father of Lance. Apart from a few brand names being taken off the motorhome and car, not much has changed for now, other than the departure of deputy team principal Bob Fernley, who was a close ally of former owner Vijay Mallya.

They start from zero on points again. The former team has been expunged from the championship for not competing all events, but they effectively continue as was, with chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer running the show at-track and Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon in the cockpits.

But for how much longer? It’s an obvious anomaly that Lawrence Stroll owns one team and his son races for another (even if, actually, Stroll owns some of the physical assets of Williams, too). And the expectation is Lance will move to Force India by the start of 2019 at the latest, and possibly this year.

Lance Stroll was not exactly trying to diminish that impression when he spoke on Thursday. “Nothing’s guaranteed,” he said Stroll, “but right now I’m really just focused on this weekend and I’m going to give it my all like I always do and we’ll see what the future holds. Really pleased for my father. He saw a great financial opportunity with Force India.

“They’ve been struggling for a long time, he sees a lot of potential in the company and he’s a businessman. He’s passionate about cars, Formula 1, always has been. He’s saved 400 jobs and he believes that he can build a very competitive and healthy company for the future so I’m happy for him. For the moment I’m here at Williams, I’m not sure what I’ll be doing in the future. We’ll see what my father decides to do with me. He’s a nice guy. I hope he’ll take me.”

Image source, Getty Images

If yes, then have a second breakfast. If no, then have you considered Belgian waffles? Not to be confused with normal waffles… “Leige waffles” are a form of bready/ briochy magnificence coated in caramelised sugar and vanilla, or occasionally dipped in chocolate (Belgian chocolate presumably). They also have a larger and deeper grid pattern (not to be confused with an F1 grid), and are often yeast based batter to get a crispy texture.

By the way, it's National Waffle Day.

Hungry yet?

Image source, Rex Features

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Jack, Jennie and Jolyon, (all the J's) are live on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, and can be heard by clicking the icon at the top of the page.

They are the only major team yet to reveal their line-up. Sebastian Vettel is still in contract, but what about Kimi Raikkonen and Charles Leclerc? With the death of the Ferrari President Sergio Marchionne last month, things have changed a little over in the red garage... Andrew Benson has more here.

As Andrew Benson said... it was supposed to be a summer break, but there's no rest for the wicked, it seems.

It all started with Daniel Ricciardo and his announcement to move to Renault for 2019. Subsequently, Fernando Alonso's announced his retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the season, which left two seats up for grabs.

Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly filled the vacant McLaren and Red Bull seats respectively, and will make for interesting team dynamic at Red Bull next year with the two youngest drivers on the grid in one team (assuming the F2 boys stay put). But we still don't know who will be joining Sainz at McLaren... yet.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Listen to live commentary of the first practice on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra from 09:55 with Jack Nicholls, Jennie Gow, and Jolyon Palmer.

For those who are struggling to pronounce my name, the phonetic version is “Neeve” with the “ee” sounding like a V10 engine rather than a V6 if you say it aloud. Got it? Then let’s continue with this live text commentary.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Spa

You go away for a holiday and come back and everything’s changed. Well, not quite yet, perhaps, although there is a ‘new’ team in Formula 1 this weekend. But the future landscape of F1 has certainly taken on a new look over the last few weeks. Fernando Alonso is retiring at the end of the year. Daniel Ricciardo is moving from Red Bull to Renault, and is being replaced by Pierre Gasly. Carlos Sainz takes Alonso’s place at McLaren and there are a whole raft of other driver changes waiting to happen in the wings. One thing that has not changed at glorious Spa-Francorchamps is the traffic. They’ve been holding a grand prix here on and off since 1925 but, while it’s early in the weekend, it doesn’t feel as if they have any better a grasp of managing it.

Image source, PA

Did you enjoy the summer break? With shock transfers, Alonso's retirement and what has probably been a stressful few weeks for the newly named Racing Point Force India, it hasn't really been a break at all.

But what a race to comeback to - the penultimate in Europe and what is regarded as the favourite on the calendar by the drivers, and by you. In our selector to choose your dream F1 calendar, the most popular destination was Spa... and here we are. What could possibly happen this weekend?