Spa-Francorchamps - circuit information

The original Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was based on public roads running between the villages of Francorchamps, Malmedy and Stavelot in the Ardennes forest. Motorbike racing began at the track in 1922, and three years later it held its first grand prix.

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It was part of the original world championship calendar in 1950, but even for its time the 14-kilometre long circuit was fearsomely fast and dangerous. Two drivers were killed in a single weekend in 1960, Chris Bristow and Alan Stacey perishing in separate accidents, while two others suffered major crashes.

By 1970 growing concerns over the frequency of serious accidents led to the circuit being removed from the calendar – Zolder and Nivelles held the Belgian Grand Prix in the meantime. Spa was restored in 1983 having been shortened, but while dramatic corners such as the Masta Kink and Burnenville had been lost other famous bends including Eau Rouge and Blanchimont remained.

The new configuration also added new high-speed turns which complemented the circuit’s character, including the tricky downhill double-left at Pouhon. Spa-Francorchamps has been the home of the Belgian Grand Prix since 1985, although that year the race was postponed from its original date when a newly-laid track surface broke up badly.

The impetus for ever higher safety standards has led to further changes since then. A major overhaul in 2007 led to yet another re-profiling of the problematic ‘bus stop’ chicane, and the run-off area at its many fast corners have been extended as far as possible. Further changes followed in 2022, extending the run-off at Raidillon, the scene of several serious crashes including one which claimed the life of Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert two years earlier.

Yet despite its dangers, Spa remains one of the most dramatic and exciting venues on the calendar and a favourite among many drivers.

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Circuit information

Lap data
Lap length	7.004km (4.352 miles)
Race laps	44
Race distance	308.052km (191.415 miles)
Pole position	Right-hand side of the track
Lap record*	1’46.286 (Valtteri Bottas, 2018)
Fastest lap	1’41.252 (Lewis Hamilton, 2020, qualifying three)
Maximum speed	319.6kph (198.59 mph)
Distance from grid to turn one	271m
Car performance
Full throttle	70%
Longest flat-out section	2,015m
Downforce level	Medium
Gear changes per lap	42
Fuel use per lap	2.39kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel	0.098s
DRS zone one	Detection: 240 metres before turn two Activation: 230 metres after turn four
DRS zone two	Detection: 160 metres before turn 18 Activation: 30 metres after turn 19
Strategy
Pit lane time loss	17.4s