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The Belgian Grand Prix, held
at Spa-Francorchamps circuit, is a firm favourite amongst Formula One
drivers, teams and fans, and for good reason. The prestigious race holds
a rich history of over 60 years of Formula One racing, with a long list
of Formula One legends having won the Belgian GP. The Spa-Francorchamps
circuit lies within a triangle formed by the Belgian towns of
Francorchamps, Malmedy and Stavelot. Despite being part of the circuit’s
name, the town of Spa is actually located slightly to the northwest. The
track’s location in the Ardennes forest is picturesque, but it has its
own mind when it comes to the weather.
With the possibility of rain showers occurring almost out of nowhere, it
can be raining in one section of the track but dry in another – a common
feature of long circuits. The circuit has an old-style design, which
offers great challenges for the drivers, including “Eau Rouge”, the
famous corner that so many drivers relish driving at full speed. The
original layout of the Spa track was over 14 kilometres long, but during
a redesign in the late seventies the lap was
shortened by half the length. The new design now features a 7.004
kilometres long lap, the longest on this year’s 20-race calendar.
Williams has won three times at Spa with Nigel Mansell claiming the 1986
race, followed by Damon Hill in 1993 and 1994. For Belgium, Pirelli has
made available the soft, supersoft and ultrasoft tyres.
PADDY LOWE:
Spa is one of the greatest tracks on earth, in my opinion. It is one of
the longest standing venues on the Formula One calendar and has been the
setting of many dramatic races in the past. It has a fast
characteristic, with a lot of changes in elevation, rewarding power and
downforce. The most famous Eau Rouge corner is now generally taken flat,
so actually not really a limiting corner. Eau Rouge leads onto a long
uphill straight. The combination makes overtaking relatively frequent,
with cars able to trade corner exit speed, slipstream effects and, with
the current hybrid power units, the remaining energy in the battery. The
weather in the Ardennes is notoriously tricky and can change from sun to
rain and back again in a matter of minutes. The very long lap makes the
timing of tyre changes from wet to dry, or
back again, either look particularly heroic or disastrous. For Williams,
this track should play to the strengths of the FW40 car. Felipe is very
experienced at Spa and Lance has also won the race here in F3, so we
look forward to getting the very best from this weekend.
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FELIPE MASSA:
Spa is one of the best tracks in Formula One. I think it will be
incredible to drive there with this new car, with more downforce. Eau
Rouge will feel like a straight but so many other corners will also be
amazing to drive. I am also going to be wearing a special ‘Joy of
Racing’ helmet designed by a great Spanish artist called Kenor. It will
look great, and a lucky fan will also get the chance to win it thanks to
Martini. I’m really looking forward to a great race at Spa.
LANCE STROLL:
In Spa, I am heading to my second home race of the year. I am half
Belgian, as this is where my mother was born, so I do have an affinity
with the country. However, I have to admit that, unlike most Formula One
drivers, Spa is not my absolute favourite. Having said that, I did win
there last year in Formula 3, so I can’t complain about it too much. It
is a very interesting track with some amazing sections and also there is
always that air of uncertainty regarding the weather. You can have it
raining in sector three and dry in sector one.
Race Data
Friday:
Practice 1: 10:00 - 11:30
Practice 2: 14:00 - 15:30
Saturday:
Practice 3: 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying: 14:00 – 15:00
Sunday: Race: 14:00 |
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