Belgium Formula One Grand Prix
Spa-Francorchamps is located in Belgium's beautiful Ardennes Forest region, close to the German boarder.
It boasts the current longest lap of any Grand Prix circuit at 4.34 miles, which incorporates part of a land cal main road that is understandably closed during the race weekend. From the start/finish line, drivers accelerate first to La Source hairpin, often the scene of first-lap incedents, before speeding through the steep downhill section leading to the Raidillon chicane. Next comes a long, steep uphill climb along the Kemal Straight and through Les Combs, a complex succession of right-left bends that require a perfectly balanced suspension and nerves of steel from the driver. Next comes a further fast downhill section to the Rivage hairpin, followed by a left into the short Malmedy straight, another left through Proudhon and then a further series of testing bends. The driver then reaches the fast Curve Paul Frere and then onto the public road to Blanchmont, the fastest point of the circuit. Its then hard on the brakes for the chicane; which replaced the famous 'bus stop', and then back onto the start/finish straight. Along with the Suzuka circuit in Japan, Spa-Francorchamps is generally considered to be one of the worlds most challenging and demanding circuits. |
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS
LOCATION: Spa, Belgium
CIRCUIT TYPE: Purpose-built parkland
CIRCUIT LENGTH: 4.34 Miles
LAP RECORD: 1:45.108 - K.Raikkonen 2004
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