Hardly any course on the Formula 1 calendar arouses as many emotions as Spa-Francorchamps. The over seven -kilometer route in the Belgian Ardennes is not only considered a classic, but as a real driver route ” – a place where talent, courage and technology meet uncompromisingly.
Spa is a personal favorite for many pilots. But there is also respect behind the love of the course. Because the challenges are larger than they appear at first glance.
“I think it’s one of the routes – like Japan or Silverstone – that just fits our cars perfectly,” says Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar. “Especially with these current cars that are really crazy in fast curves. And there is a lot of that here.”
Hadjar speaks to a central point: Spa is not just a fast route, but one that shows modern Formula 1 cars in their natural habitat. The combination of aerodynamic efficiency, high-speed curves and long straight lines literally blooms the vehicles.
Lance Stroll also raves: “With the cars that we now have – so much output at high speed – this is one of the routes on which you can really feel the car alive.” We are talking about the fast corner passages such as Blanchimont, Pouhon or the EAU-Rouge/Raidillon complex, which, in combination with the length of the round, create a unique driving experience.
Pouhon instead of Eau Rouge the new courage curve?
For a long time, Eau Rouge was considered the measure of all things when it came to driving courage. But the reality of modern Formula 1 has shifted. “Eau Rouge is pretty simple in the dry today. Everyone is very impressed, but to be honest, it is easy,” says Pierre Gasly sober. For him, the sticking point is more in the rain: “Then it becomes one of the most challenging curves of the season.”
This assessment also shares Fernando Alonso, who warns: “Especially on sprint weekends, it may be that you drive in Q1 with conditions that you have not yet tested. Then you have to take Eau Rouge carefully.” And even if the section usually dries up quickly, the new asphalt is possible that more standing water occurs.
The focus has been shifted anyway for Hadjar. “Pouhon is not a curve where you simply … it depends on who you ask. But for us it won’t go full throttle. It will be a big challenge,” says the Frenchman.
In the simulator it is “quite close” to reality, “but the only difference is the G -forces. You can only feel it in a real car – and then it gets really hard.”
Spa as an emotional landmark
For many pilots, Spa is also a place of memories – more positive and tragic. Pierre Gasly, for example, won his first Formula 4 race here, but since the fatal accident of his friend Anthine Hubert 2019, the route has been emotionally charged.
“Since then, the feeling has changed drastically. It is difficult to describe – the excitement about driving and the memories of it exist at the same time. But I try to use it as an additional force,” said the Frenchman.
Oscar Piatri aptly puts it: “There are many corners here that are unique. The layout, the length, the fact that you drive in the middle of the forest – all of this makes Spa special.”
The Australian still remembers his first rounds of 2017 in the Formula Renault car: “I think I drove Eau Rouge fully in the second or third round-but not in the first!” Today it is “easy” in Formula 1 in the dry, but that does not change the magic of the route: “I think spa should be on the calendar every year as long as there is Formula 1.”