Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, commonly referred to as Spa, stands out as one of my favorite tracks worldwide. Situated in Stavelot, Belgium, this motor-racing circuit has a rich history, hosting its inaugural race over a century ago in 1922. Since then, it has been the venue for numerous prestigious racing events, including the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Spa.

Presently, the circuit spans approximately 7.004km in length, but it has undergone several modifications since its establishment in 1921. The most significant alterations occurred in 1979 when the track was shortened from 14.1km, utilizing public roads, to a more compact permanent circuit. This change was prompted by safety concerns. The current layout features 19 turns, with the lap record held by Valtteri Bottas in the Mercedes W09 Formula 1 car from 2018, clocking in at 1:46.286.

Among the most thrilling sections at Spa are the incredibly fast Eau Rouge and Raidillon. This small, steep road features a drop of approximately 40 meters from the start of the curve to the exit of the bend. Many drivers consider mastering this sequence quite challenging, especially in maintaining maximum speed to avoid losing time approaching the Kemmel straight. I'm reminded of some remarkable moments on this track, such as Mika Häkkinen's outstanding overtaking manoeuvre on Michael Schumacher in 2000, the intense battle between Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso in 2011, along with numerous other memorable racing moments on this iconic circuit that make Spa truly unforgettable.

Sadly, the same sections of the track that have witnessed joyous moments have also been marked by tragic events that linger in the memories of fans. Spa has seen over 50 fatalities involving drivers and race officials. This year, in June, Dutch F3 Driver Dilano Van't Hoff sadly passed away during the Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa Support Event due to treacherous weather and racing conditions. Unfortunately, this is one of the inherent risks in racing as a whole. Hopefully, there will be further changes to the track to minimize the occurrence of such unfortunate incidents in the future.

Spa is renowned for thrilling races, fierce competitions, and captivating events. Perhaps one day, I'll get to experience the thrill of driving a race car at Spa.