PREVIEW – Spa, the drivers favourite
Round eleven of the 2015 takes Formula One to the historic circuit at Spa in Belgium. The circuit is one of the longest on the calendar taking in breath-taking views over the forested valley. The original circuit was public road between the towns of Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot it opened in 1921.
The current circuit dates back to 1983 after drivers boycotted the race calling it dangerous in 1960’s. However it has been changed in 2006 to give the current overall layout of the circuit. The most famous part of the circuit is Eau Rouge / Raidillon which is turn 2, 3 and 4 winding up the hill. It named after the red water on the river nearby.
Facts and figures
| Race | Grote Prijs van België;Grand Prix de Belgique;Großer Preis von Belgien |
| Venue | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps |
| Circuit Lengths | 7.004 KM (4.352 Mi) |
| Laps | 44 |
| Race Distance | 308.052 KM (191.410 Mi) |
| Lap Record | 1:47.263 (Germany Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 2009) |
| Most wins drivers | Michael Schumacher (6) |
| Most wins manufacture | Ferrari (16) |
Event timetable
| Local | BST | GMT | |
| Friday | |||
| P1 | 1000-1130 | 0900-1030 | 0800-0930 |
| P2 | 1400-1530 | 1300-1430 | 1200-1330 |
| Saturday | |||
| P3 | 1100-1200 | 1000-1100 | 0900-1000 |
| Qualifying | 1400-1500 | 1300-1400 | 1200-1300 |
| Sunday | |||
| Race | 1400-1600 | 1300-1500 | 1200-1400 |
2014 Race Data
| P1 Fastest | P2 Fastest | P3 Fastest | Q1 Fastest | Q2 Fastest | Q3 Fastest | Race Time | Fastest Lap |
| 01:51.577 | 01:49.189 | 01:49.465 | 02:07.130 | 02:06.609 | 02:05.591 | 01:24:36.556 | 01:50.511 |
Classics
2009 – Championship Leader Jenson Button, defending champion Lewis Hamilton, Romain Grosjean and Jaime Alguersuari crash on the opening lap in a pile up.
1998 – Thirteen drivers crash in a multi car pileup on the opening lap of the race causing an hours delay. On the restart two drivers crash out, David Coulthard crashes in Michael Schumacher on lap 25 forcing Schumacher to retire. Giving Jordan their first victory in F1.
1992 – Michael Schumacher wins his first Grand Prix in tricky wet conditions fighting a slow reacting Williams.
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