Circuit Information
Location: Francorchamps Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Lap : 7.004kms / 4.352miles | Race : 44 laps (308.052kms / 191.410miles) | Offset : 0.124kms
The Circuit :
Whenever motor racing fans gather to discuss the merits of Formula One over Indy Car racing one corner of a single circuit can usually silence the Indy Car fans - Eau Rouge at Spa. Although it can be described as a stretch of road that goes downhill and then uphill left, right, and left Eau Rouge is much more than that. To many purists it encapsulates the essence of Grand Prix racing as it tests drivers' skill, nerve and commitment - all in a matter of seconds.
The History:
In the 1920s two people, one the Chairman of the Sports Commission at the RACB (Royal Automobile Club Belgium) and the other a manager of a newspaper linked the roads between Malmedy, Stavelot and Francorchamps. The triangle roads created a 14km race circuit. The first event was cancelled due to just one car being registered for the race. However in 1922 motorcyclists started using the track layout and in 1924 the now famous 24 Hours of Francorchamps was held. After World War II in 1947 racing became popular again. Motorcycles, single seaters and occasionally the 24 Hours of the RACB were held on the long 14km track. In 1939 an artificial curve was made in Francorchamps - the " raidillon " or steep rise was to be passed at a very high speed. The circuit was made into one of the fastest tracks in Europe. This long track was shortened in the 1970s, due to safety concerns amongst the racers, and a new 7km was formed. When the new Spa circuit opened in 1974 for the annual 24-Hour race there were strong worries that the circuit would be nothing more than a shadow of the old eight mile blast through the Ardennes. Fortunately the new sections had been built in character with the original and Spa is now universally acknowledged as the finest circuit visited by the Grand Prix circus.
A Quick Lap:
From the start, the corner at La Source comes very quickly and is a hairpin that is taken in 2nd gear at around 40 mph after which drivers have two long straights that are separated by Eau Rouge - which amounts to a small kink in the circuit. Accelerating to 180 mph along the first section, Eau Rouge can be taken in 6th gear with only a slight loss of speed (165 mph) as it goes downhill and then uphill left, right, and left. Cars exit at Raidillon and then encounter the fastest part of the course along the Kemmell straight at 190 mph.
As the track bears round slowly to the right, there exists good overtaking possibilities at Les Combes due to the wide run-off areas. The right-left combination chicane is taken in 3rd gear and 85 mph and is exited at Malmedy, which is a right-hander taken at 100 mph. Rivage is a virtual hairpin which, due to being off camber and downhill, causes cars all sorts of steering problems. It is approached in 4th gear at 155 mph, taken in 2nd at 60 mph and exited in 3rd at 110 mph. Out of Rivage the cars sweep along a short straight at 155 mph before the track veers left at 90 mph and on to Pouhon at 100 mph, a double left-hander. Also off camber, it is entered and exited in 4th gear at an average of 140 mph. On exit, cars power through the gears to 180 mph before slowing at Fagnes - a right-left chicane which is taken in 3rd gear at 100 mph.
Stavelot is a double right-hand loop, turning the cars through 180 degrees as they go downhill. Entered in 3rd with 4th (135 mph) being engaged in the middle, but it is bumpy and cars tend to skip about a bit as cars speed-up to 150 mph on exit. Blanchimont is a long, sweeping left-hander taken full-out in 6th gear at 185 mph. With the Start-Finish line almost in sight, Bus Stop Chicane appears, a sharp right-left-right chicane that slows the cars right down to a 2nd gear 45 mph before they emerge on to the pit straight at 170 mph.
Grandstands
Gold 1 Pits: This covered grandstand is along the pits straight. See the start build up and watch the teams in action in the pit boxes. From a distance you can see the cars dive into the first corner- the La Source hairpin. With TV screens miss none of the action.
Gold 2 GP2: This covered grandstand is on the short straight opposite the old F1 pit boxes. See the F1 cars exit the La Source hairpin and race towards the magnificent Eau Rouge. The old pits are now used for the GP2 teams so watch the GP2 teams in action. You can also see all the podium ceremonies from this grandstand. With TV screens miss none of the action.
Gold 3 and Gold 4 Eau Rouge: These grandstands are located next to the magnificent Eau Rouge. The most challenging corner on any F1 circuit, with its steep incline, offers drivers a great thrill. See the drivers exit the La Source hairpin and put there foot to the throttle to take Eau Rouge flat out. Even the best drivers make mistakes here! Gold 3 is covered, Gold 4 is uncovered. Both have TV screens allowing to catch all the action.
Gold 6 Chicane: This grandstand is located by another famous Spa feature - the bus stop chicane. A great place to see some overtaking. See the cars exit the fast sweeping Blanchiment corner, tackle the bus stop chicane and head onto the pits straight. With a TV screen se the rest of the on track action.
Gold 7 and Gold 8 La Source: These grandstands are located on the outside of La Source. The cars take this hairpin at just over 55km/h so is a great place to see some overtaking. See the cars head towards you on the pit straight and disappear up Eau Rouge. Gold 7 is uncovered and Gold is covered. TV screens are located here to give you full coverage of the race.
Silver 1 Francorchamps: This uncovered grandstand overlooks the La Source hairpin and the pit lane exit. There is a tree line in front of this grandstand so all views cannot be guaranteed. You can see the cars race along the old F1 pits straight, now the GP2 pit and race into Eau Rouge from a distance. There is TV screen opposite so don't miss any of the racing.
Silver 2 Spa: This uncovered grandstand is along the old F1 pits straight. See the cars exit the first corner hairpin and race past you into Eau Rouge. You can also see some of the GP2 pit garages from here. With a TV screen follow all the action. The F1 village is located behind this grandstand.
Silver 3 Combes: This grandstand is on the opposite side of the circuit near the Malmedy chicane. Get your walking boots on - its quite a walk from the main entrance! See the cars exit the Les Combes corner and head into the Malmedy chicane. This left hand corner is take at just under 220km/h. Watch the cars speed past you into the Rivage hairpin. With a TV miss none of the action.
General Admission: This is one of the best circuits for general admission tickets but get there early to guarantee the best spots! There are lots of places to view the race from. Sit at the top of Eau Rouge under the trees or further along on the grass banks next to the Kemmel straight just after Eau Rouge. There is a huge wooded area on the inside of the circuit at the far end of the track. There is a section with a TV screen just before the Pouhon corner. It's a good idea to take fold up chairs or something comfy to sit on, or simply walk around and watch the race from several viewpoints.
