Circuit de Spa Francorchamps – Track Summary

The Circuit de Spa Francorchamps, located in the Ardennes forest of Belgium, is Formula 1’s longest and one of its most iconic tracks. Known for its dramatic elevation changes, high speed corners, and unpredictable weather, Spa is a driver’s circuit in every sense. It blends long straights with fast, flowing turns, and punishes mistakes with narrow runoff and high speed risks.

The lap includes the legendary Eau Rouge–Raidillon combination, the sweeping Pouhon, and the final Bus Stop chicane, all of which challenge driver bravery and car balance. Because of its length and varied layout, Spa often experiences different weather conditions across sectors, meaning split weather strategy can come into play.

Whether it’s a flat out qualifying run through Maggotts level corners or a last lap lunge into Les Combes, Spa rarely disappoints.

Spa – Track Summary

• Location: Stavelot, Belgium

• First Grand Prix: 1950

• Track Type: Permanent road course

• Lap Distance: 7.004 km (4.352 miles), longest on the calendar

• Race Distance: 44 laps / 308.052 km

• Number of Corners: 19 (9 left, 10 right)

• Direction: Clockwise

• DRS Zones: 2

• Top Speed: ~330–340 km/h (205–211 mph)

• Lap Record (Race): 1:46.286 – Valtteri Bottas (2018, Mercedes)

Spa Quick Insights

• Tire Strategy Is Everything: Long laps mean mistimed pit stops are severely punished.

• Weather Is Wild: It can rain in Sector 1 and be bone dry in Sector 3. Expect chaos.

• Overtakes Are Real: Multiple long straights and big braking zones make Spa one of the best overtaking tracks.

• Slipstream Train: The Kemmel Straight often creates DRS trains, especially on Lap 1 and in Sprints.

• Driver Favorite: Nearly every driver lists Spa in their top 3 tracks, it’s raw, fast, and unforgiving.

Sector 1 – Turns 1 to 4

Key Characteristics: Heavy braking, full throttle commitment, and high altitude climb.
Focus: Braking precision, flat out aero balance, clean traction.

(Start/Finish Line)
  |
Turn 1 – 'La Source': Hairpin right. Hard braking, overtaking hotspot.
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Turns 2–4 – 'Eau Rouge & Raidillon': Flat out left right left climb. Ultimate test of car confidence.
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Kemmel Straight (DRS Zone): Full throttle stretch to Les Combes.

Sector 1 – Analysis:

Sector 1 begins with La Source, a tight hairpin that rewards late braking and punishes poor exits. From there, it’s flat out through Eau Rouge Raidillon, arguably F1’s most iconic sequence, the car compresses, climbs, and must hold traction over a blind crest.

A clean run through here sets up the long Kemmel Straight, where slipstreaming and DRS play major roles. This sector blends technical and power demands, with time gained or lost largely depending on exit speed from Turn 1 and drag/downforce setup.

Sector 2 – Turns 5 to 14

Key Characteristics: Technical medium/high speed corners, downhill flow, high lateral G.
Focus: Downforce efficiency, throttle modulation, precision over curbs.

Turn 5 – 'Les Combes': Right left chicane at the end of Kemmel. Great overtaking point.
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Turn 6 – 'Malmedy': Fast right hander. Sets up descent.
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Turn 7 – 'Bruxelles': Long downhill hairpin right. Hard on brakes and tires.
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Turn 8 – 'No Name': Tricky left. Understeer prone and easy to run wide.
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Turns 9–10 – 'Pouhon': Double apex downhill left hander. Very high speed.
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Turns 11–12 – 'Fagnes/Les Fagnes': Left right chicane. Technical and tight.
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Turn 13 – 'Campus': Short right kink. Prepares for final sector.
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Turn 14 – 'Stavelot': Fast right hand exit onto long straight.

Sector 2 – Analysis:

Sector 2 is Spa’s most complex and technical sector. After braking from ~330 km/h into Les Combes, drivers navigate a series of flowing, downforce dependent corners.

Bruxelles and No Name test braking and rotation, while Pouhon is flat out in quali and terrifying in the wet. The Fagnes–Campus–Stavelot sequence tests rear grip and line discipline, critical for maintaining speed into the high speed run that follows.

This sector rewards chassis stability and aerodynamic grip and is usually where the most lap time is gained or lost during qualifying.

Sector 3 – Turns 15 to 19

Key Characteristics: Flat out sweepers, slipstream warfare, and the final braking zone.
Focus: Top end speed, traction exit, and DRS timing.

Turn 15 – 'Courbe Paul Frère': Fast exit right hander. Sets up Blanchimont.
  |
Turn 16 – 'Blanchimont': Legendary flat out left. Not quite full in the wet.
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Turn 17 – 'Bus Stop Chicane (Entry)': Heavy braking right. Lap deciding point.
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Turn 18 – 'Bus Stop Chicane (Exit)': Left hand flick onto main straight.
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(Start/Finish Line)

Sector 3 – Analysis:

Sector 3 is short but powerful. Paul Frère and Blanchimont are full throttle sweepers, with cars reaching terminal velocity by the time they approach the Bus Stop chicane.

The Bus Stop, once a flowing double chicane, is now a sharp, slow right left combo. It’s the final overtaking chance and determines the launch into the DRS zone on the pit straight. A clean exit here can win a race, especially in changing conditions or on the final lap.

SUMMARY

The Circuit de Spa Francorchamps is Formula 1’s longest and one of its most legendary circuits. Nestled in the Ardennes forest, it delivers a unique blend of flat out straights, high speed corners, and dramatic elevation changes. From the iconic Eau Rouge–Raidillon to the sweeping double apex Pouhon and the final Bus Stop chicane, Spa tests every aspect of a driver’s skill and a car’s balance.

Its 7 km layout means weather can shift between sectors, making strategy unpredictable and overtaking frequent. With fast flowing corners, punishing curbs, and some of the most thrilling racing on the calendar, Spa is a true classic that rewards bravery and precision. It’s not just a race, it’s a rite of passage for every F1 driver.

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