Formula One Vault

PREVIEW – Belgian Grand Prix

Round twelve of the season sees Formula One head to the legendary circuit at Spa – Francochamps in Belgium. The circuit is the longest of the season and has held the race on and off since the 1930’s. Spa presents drivers with a unique challenge to drivers with the high speed, long flat out sections and tricky corners that all without the unpredictable weather patterns!

This all makes the races exciting breath taking as drivers push themselves to the limits around the former street circuit. Corners such as Eau Rouge, Les Combes and Savlot are as much part of the DNA of Formula One as it is as much as the DNA of Spa itself. Spa also has its own unique micro climate meaning the weather can play a huge part in the outcome of the race.

Spa is a high-speed and fast circuit making overtaking easier than some circuits, however in the wet going off line could prove costly. Spa is often called the drivers favourite; it is up there with Monaco, Silverstone and Monza as one of the classic pre-world championship circuits.

Spa is about not only putting drivers against each other, its about drivers fighting against Spa itself and that can bring huge rewards, if you are ready for failure!

Facts and figures

Event timetable

What happened in 2016?

Nico Rosberg took victory to close the gap to his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who started from the back due to engine penalties recovered to finish third. Meanwhile, Kevin Magnussen suffered a huge crash after losing the rear spinning off at Raidillon shattering his car and bringing out the red flag.

Pascal Wehrlein collided with the back of McLaren’s Jenson Button. The manor driver was trying to uncut the Englishman when he hit his rear accusing him of moving more than once to defend his position.

Carlos Sainz was another casualty as his rear tyre exploded on the Kemmel Straight sending him spinning breaking his rear wing and putting him out of the race.

Max Verstappen’s ‘home’ race saw him tangle with the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen, and saw him finish just outside the points.

Full Race Report Full Result Google Collection

2015 vs 2016 Race Data

Data Profile

A lap of Spa – Francochamps

Nico Rosberg comes out of the last corner goes to the inside to cross the line on the run down to La Source crossing to the outside on the way into the corner. He turns in before heading down to the kink at two running to the inside before heading to Eau Rouge. Where he goes to the outside kerb, on the entry of the blind exit climb beautiful exit heads to the kink at six. Flat out onto the Kemmel Straight.

Reaches over 300km before the huge stop Les Combes kerb on entry and exit of the first part. A great exit taking kerb before the descent down towards Brussel’s goes to the inside then outside, then back to the inside for Pouhon kerb on exit before the short run to the last part of the turn. Good  through thirteen and Campus. Breaks a bit for Stavelot.

Nicely through Courbe Paul Frere and now very fast section where he can push. Accelerating all the way through eighteen and towards the bus stop breaking down for the slowest part to 75km and short run to the line doing 01:46.744

Tyres