Spa, Belgium
© Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT Photographic
F1

The ultimate Belgian Grand Prix F1 circuit guide

Spa-Francorchamps will once again host the Belgian F1 Grand Prix in 2022. Continue reading to get up to speed on the most emblematic circuit of the championship, and perhaps the wildest.
By Red Bull Canada
2 min readUpdated on
Nestled in the beautiful Belgian Ardennes, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit has been hosting F1 drivers since the championship’s inaugural year in 1950. It’s irregular route—made up of slow and fast turns, hairpins approached at 70 km/h, big drops, and long straightaways where drivers exceed 320 km/h—makes it one of the toughest races of the year. While the fans eagerly await the Belgian Grand Prix, so do the drivers.
Max Verstappen of tAston Martin Red Bull Racing on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 30, 2020.

Max Verstappen finished third to retain second in the Drivers' Championship

© Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool

Quick facts about the track

  • Construction: 1921
  • First race in F1: 1950
  • Location: Francorchamps
  • Length: 7.004 km
  • Number of turns: 19
  • Most wins: Michael Schumacher (6)
  • Lap record: Lewis Hamilton (1 min 41 s 252 in 2020)
Pierre Gasly on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 30, 2020.

Pierre Gasly won Driver of the Day in Spa for his brilliant passing moves

© Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool

01

Eau Rouge and The Raidillon, AKA the most famous turn sequence in F1

Eau Rouge and The Raidillon… While the names don’t sound impressive, the turn sequence is pure madness. Drivers race downhill at speeds up to 300 km/h before making an immediate 60 degree righthand turn—reaching G forces in excess of four. Then, pilots make a lefthand turn at approximately 45 degrees over a 24 metre drop. Plus, to make things trickier, the section is practically blind due to the unevenness of the track.
„Le Raidillon“, eine Kurve der Formel-1-Strecke Spa-Francorchamps.

„Le Raidillon“, eine Kurve der Formel-1-Strecke Spa-Francorchamps.

© Red BUll

All the dynamics of this track makes the driving really pleasant.
02

What the drivers say

“With it’s incredible layout and fast corners, the Spa-Francorchamps is my favourite track,” explained 2022 championship leader Max Verstappen about a race in which he has yet to win.
Max Verstappen in der Formel 1 auf der Rennstrecke von Spa-Francorchamps

Max Verstappen in der Formel 1 auf der Rennstrecke von Spa-Francorchamps

© Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool

Will Verstappen finally secure a win in Belgium and extend his championship lead over Ferrari’s Charles Leclair? Tune in on Sunday, August 8th for race day action.

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Max Verstappen

The son of former Formula One driver Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen is the youngest race-winner in F1 history and a three-time world champion.

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