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Nestling in the shadows of the famous pine forests of the Ardennes, the Spa region first became famous around the World for the decisive tank battles fought during the Second World War between the American and German armies. However, the circuit itself has been in use since 1921, when it first hosted a motorcycle race. Car racing began in 1925 and since the Formula One Championship began in 1950, The Spa- Francorchamps track has hosted 35 of the 47 Belgian GPs held to date.
Of the current Grand Prix circuits, the Spa-Francorchamps venue is without doubt the most popular amongst the drivers and, in particular, with the newly crowned 2001 World Champion, Michael Schumacher, whose hometown of Kerpen is close by. He made his Grand Prix debut for the Jordan team at Spa in 1991 and since then, has scored five wins, although one of which he had to relinquish following problems at the post race technical inspection of his Benetton. Ferrari have won the Belgian Grand Prix no less than 11 times, with legendary drivers like Alberto Ascari, Phil Hill, Peter Collins, John Surtees, Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter and, of course, Schumacher sharing the honours.
Originally 14 kms, it was shortened in the early 1980's to its present 6,97kms length, which still makes it the longest of all the GP circuits in use today. The high-speed southern leg of the former circuit, from Les Combes via-Malmedy and back to Stavelot, was removed. Today, a new section of track links Les Combes and Stavelot, which takes full advantage of the natural contours of the land and provides superb spectator points from the natural grandstands.
As safety requirements have demanded changes to the track, which is a regular normal road outside of race weekends, it has managed to retain its unique nature, in particular the ultra-fast sweeping uphill right-hand corner behind the pits called Eau Rouge. The approach is a fast plunging down hill chute with a left kink at the bottom, the drivers taking a sudden several Gs of compression as the track then climbs rapidly up to the main straight and they fight to lift their heads to see the road.
It is without doubt the most dramatic corners in the Grand Prix calendar, which for some brave drivers is taken without lifting off the throttle, a very special challenge that the drivers relish once they have their cars set up correctly. If not, it can turn all too quickly into a wild ride that has seen many spectacular accidents over the years. Six years ago there was one race when a temporary chicane was installed at Eau Rouge while major works were carried out to the run-off areas. Fortunately, the original track layout was restored to the relief of everyone.
Thousands crowd the banking above Eau Rouge to watch the action that is Grand Prix racing at its best. A good exit speed means a good run onto the straight and a chance to slipstream slower cars and outbreak them into Les Combes, which was the scene of a spectacular overtaking move by Mika Hakkinen on Michael Schumacher last year as they both passed either side of a slower car as they fought for the lead. After two second places Hakkinen went on to take his first win at the track by just over a second from the Ferrari, despite the fact that the Finn had started from pole for three years in a row.
With the pressure of the 2001 title now off his shoulders with four more races to go, Michael Schumacher can approach his favourite race with only one thought on his mind, winning. So too will McLaren's Mika Hakkinen, who has an equally impressive record around Spa, and will undoubtedly see this race as a chance to redeem what has been a disappointing season for the Finn.
This track is also special for Rubens Barrichello, who became the youngest ever driver to score a pole position in Grand Prix racing when at 22 year's old he took advantage of the drying conditions to take the 1994 pole spot for Jordan. With the battle for the runner up placing in this year's championship still being closely fought between Barrichello, Coulthard and Ralf Schumacher, Michael Schumacher has already said that he will do what he can to help his teammate into the runner-up spot by the end of the season.
Another win for Schumacher on Sunday would allow him to equal Ayrton Senna by number of victories in this race (5). In addition, another win would, of course, make him the most successful Formula One driver ever with a total of 52 wins that would put him one ahead of Alain Prost, whose record he equaled in Hungary.
Of the current Grand Prix circuits, the Spa-Francorchamps venue is without doubt the most popular amongst the drivers and, in particular, with the newly crowned 2001 World Champion, Michael Schumacher, whose hometown of Kerpen is close by. He made his Grand Prix debut for the Jordan team at Spa in 1991 and since then, has scored five wins, although one of which he had to relinquish following problems at the post race technical inspection of his Benetton. Ferrari have won the Belgian Grand Prix no less than 11 times, with legendary drivers like Alberto Ascari, Phil Hill, Peter Collins, John Surtees, Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter and, of course, Schumacher sharing the honours.
Originally 14 kms, it was shortened in the early 1980's to its present 6,97kms length, which still makes it the longest of all the GP circuits in use today. The high-speed southern leg of the former circuit, from Les Combes via-Malmedy and back to Stavelot, was removed. Today, a new section of track links Les Combes and Stavelot, which takes full advantage of the natural contours of the land and provides superb spectator points from the natural grandstands.
As safety requirements have demanded changes to the track, which is a regular normal road outside of race weekends, it has managed to retain its unique nature, in particular the ultra-fast sweeping uphill right-hand corner behind the pits called Eau Rouge. The approach is a fast plunging down hill chute with a left kink at the bottom, the drivers taking a sudden several Gs of compression as the track then climbs rapidly up to the main straight and they fight to lift their heads to see the road.
It is without doubt the most dramatic corners in the Grand Prix calendar, which for some brave drivers is taken without lifting off the throttle, a very special challenge that the drivers relish once they have their cars set up correctly. If not, it can turn all too quickly into a wild ride that has seen many spectacular accidents over the years. Six years ago there was one race when a temporary chicane was installed at Eau Rouge while major works were carried out to the run-off areas. Fortunately, the original track layout was restored to the relief of everyone.
Thousands crowd the banking above Eau Rouge to watch the action that is Grand Prix racing at its best. A good exit speed means a good run onto the straight and a chance to slipstream slower cars and outbreak them into Les Combes, which was the scene of a spectacular overtaking move by Mika Hakkinen on Michael Schumacher last year as they both passed either side of a slower car as they fought for the lead. After two second places Hakkinen went on to take his first win at the track by just over a second from the Ferrari, despite the fact that the Finn had started from pole for three years in a row.
With the pressure of the 2001 title now off his shoulders with four more races to go, Michael Schumacher can approach his favourite race with only one thought on his mind, winning. So too will McLaren's Mika Hakkinen, who has an equally impressive record around Spa, and will undoubtedly see this race as a chance to redeem what has been a disappointing season for the Finn.
This track is also special for Rubens Barrichello, who became the youngest ever driver to score a pole position in Grand Prix racing when at 22 year's old he took advantage of the drying conditions to take the 1994 pole spot for Jordan. With the battle for the runner up placing in this year's championship still being closely fought between Barrichello, Coulthard and Ralf Schumacher, Michael Schumacher has already said that he will do what he can to help his teammate into the runner-up spot by the end of the season.
Another win for Schumacher on Sunday would allow him to equal Ayrton Senna by number of victories in this race (5). In addition, another win would, of course, make him the most successful Formula One driver ever with a total of 52 wins that would put him one ahead of Alain Prost, whose record he equaled in Hungary.
I had heard they were changing Hockenhiem, good thing too.
The races can be exciting, but the track is SO rubbish it's unbeleivable!
Thankfully they're changingi Silverstone as well, so our track will still be better than the German, which let's face it, is all that matters.
:-)
The races can be exciting, but the track is SO rubbish it's unbeleivable!
Thankfully they're changingi Silverstone as well, so our track will still be better than the German, which let's face it, is all that matters.
:-)
I've just re-read it, and I forgot to put the quote in.
Normally I put at the top something like:
Taken from f1today.com
or whatever, but I must have forgotten. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Normally I put at the top something like:
Taken from f1today.com
or whatever, but I must have forgotten. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Nope, I have read through it a number of times and have not seen it. I must be blind. I don't look on F1today. I use itvf1 and formula1.com.
I didn't write it.
I got it from www.f1today.com.
Did you not see the quote?
I got it from www.f1today.com.
Did you not see the quote?
I'm sorry about the plug. I have to promote it somehow.
Anyway, that was well written. You know your Formula 1. Very nice to see someone of a like mind.
Anyway, that was well written. You know your Formula 1. Very nice to see someone of a like mind.
Looking forward to it already mate!
Belguim is, by far, my favourite race track. Eau Rouge is just amazing.
Schumacher will just continue to break and set records. He is the greatest modern day racing driver.
Be sure to look out for my Belguim race review on Sunday.
Schumacher will just continue to break and set records. He is the greatest modern day racing driver.
Be sure to look out for my Belguim race review on Sunday.
Nestling in the shadows of the famous pine forests of the Ardennes, the Spa region first became famous around the World for the decisive tank battles fought during the Second World War between the American and German armies. However, the circuit itself has been in use since 1921, when it first hosted a motorcycle race. Car racing began in 1925 and since the Formula One Championship began in 1950, The Spa- Francorchamps track has hosted 35 of the 47 Belgian GPs held to date.
Of the current Grand Prix circuits, the Spa-Francorchamps venue is without doubt the most popular amongst the drivers and, in particular, with the newly crowned 2001 World Champion, Michael Schumacher, whose hometown of Kerpen is close by. He made his Grand Prix debut for the Jordan team at Spa in 1991 and since then, has scored five wins, although one of which he had to relinquish following problems at the post race technical inspection of his Benetton. Ferrari have won the Belgian Grand Prix no less than 11 times, with legendary drivers like Alberto Ascari, Phil Hill, Peter Collins, John Surtees, Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter and, of course, Schumacher sharing the honours.
Originally 14 kms, it was shortened in the early 1980's to its present 6,97kms length, which still makes it the longest of all the GP circuits in use today. The high-speed southern leg of the former circuit, from Les Combes via-Malmedy and back to Stavelot, was removed. Today, a new section of track links Les Combes and Stavelot, which takes full advantage of the natural contours of the land and provides superb spectator points from the natural grandstands.
As safety requirements have demanded changes to the track, which is a regular normal road outside of race weekends, it has managed to retain its unique nature, in particular the ultra-fast sweeping uphill right-hand corner behind the pits called Eau Rouge. The approach is a fast plunging down hill chute with a left kink at the bottom, the drivers taking a sudden several Gs of compression as the track then climbs rapidly up to the main straight and they fight to lift their heads to see the road.
It is without doubt the most dramatic corners in the Grand Prix calendar, which for some brave drivers is taken without lifting off the throttle, a very special challenge that the drivers relish once they have their cars set up correctly. If not, it can turn all too quickly into a wild ride that has seen many spectacular accidents over the years. Six years ago there was one race when a temporary chicane was installed at Eau Rouge while major works were carried out to the run-off areas. Fortunately, the original track layout was restored to the relief of everyone.
Thousands crowd the banking above Eau Rouge to watch the action that is Grand Prix racing at its best. A good exit speed means a good run onto the straight and a chance to slipstream slower cars and outbreak them into Les Combes, which was the scene of a spectacular overtaking move by Mika Hakkinen on Michael Schumacher last year as they both passed either side of a slower car as they fought for the lead. After two second places Hakkinen went on to take his first win at the track by just over a second from the Ferrari, despite the fact that the Finn had started from pole for three years in a row.
With the pressure of the 2001 title now off his shoulders with four more races to go, Michael Schumacher can approach his favourite race with only one thought on his mind, winning. So too will McLaren's Mika Hakkinen, who has an equally impressive record around Spa, and will undoubtedly see this race as a chance to redeem what has been a disappointing season for the Finn.
This track is also special for Rubens Barrichello, who became the youngest ever driver to score a pole position in Grand Prix racing when at 22 year's old he took advantage of the drying conditions to take the 1994 pole spot for Jordan. With the battle for the runner up placing in this year's championship still being closely fought between Barrichello, Coulthard and Ralf Schumacher, Michael Schumacher has already said that he will do what he can to help his teammate into the runner-up spot by the end of the season.
Another win for Schumacher on Sunday would allow him to equal Ayrton Senna by number of victories in this race (5). In addition, another win would, of course, make him the most successful Formula One driver ever with a total of 52 wins that would put him one ahead of Alain Prost, whose record he equaled in Hungary.
Of the current Grand Prix circuits, the Spa-Francorchamps venue is without doubt the most popular amongst the drivers and, in particular, with the newly crowned 2001 World Champion, Michael Schumacher, whose hometown of Kerpen is close by. He made his Grand Prix debut for the Jordan team at Spa in 1991 and since then, has scored five wins, although one of which he had to relinquish following problems at the post race technical inspection of his Benetton. Ferrari have won the Belgian Grand Prix no less than 11 times, with legendary drivers like Alberto Ascari, Phil Hill, Peter Collins, John Surtees, Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter and, of course, Schumacher sharing the honours.
Originally 14 kms, it was shortened in the early 1980's to its present 6,97kms length, which still makes it the longest of all the GP circuits in use today. The high-speed southern leg of the former circuit, from Les Combes via-Malmedy and back to Stavelot, was removed. Today, a new section of track links Les Combes and Stavelot, which takes full advantage of the natural contours of the land and provides superb spectator points from the natural grandstands.
As safety requirements have demanded changes to the track, which is a regular normal road outside of race weekends, it has managed to retain its unique nature, in particular the ultra-fast sweeping uphill right-hand corner behind the pits called Eau Rouge. The approach is a fast plunging down hill chute with a left kink at the bottom, the drivers taking a sudden several Gs of compression as the track then climbs rapidly up to the main straight and they fight to lift their heads to see the road.
It is without doubt the most dramatic corners in the Grand Prix calendar, which for some brave drivers is taken without lifting off the throttle, a very special challenge that the drivers relish once they have their cars set up correctly. If not, it can turn all too quickly into a wild ride that has seen many spectacular accidents over the years. Six years ago there was one race when a temporary chicane was installed at Eau Rouge while major works were carried out to the run-off areas. Fortunately, the original track layout was restored to the relief of everyone.
Thousands crowd the banking above Eau Rouge to watch the action that is Grand Prix racing at its best. A good exit speed means a good run onto the straight and a chance to slipstream slower cars and outbreak them into Les Combes, which was the scene of a spectacular overtaking move by Mika Hakkinen on Michael Schumacher last year as they both passed either side of a slower car as they fought for the lead. After two second places Hakkinen went on to take his first win at the track by just over a second from the Ferrari, despite the fact that the Finn had started from pole for three years in a row.
With the pressure of the 2001 title now off his shoulders with four more races to go, Michael Schumacher can approach his favourite race with only one thought on his mind, winning. So too will McLaren's Mika Hakkinen, who has an equally impressive record around Spa, and will undoubtedly see this race as a chance to redeem what has been a disappointing season for the Finn.
This track is also special for Rubens Barrichello, who became the youngest ever driver to score a pole position in Grand Prix racing when at 22 year's old he took advantage of the drying conditions to take the 1994 pole spot for Jordan. With the battle for the runner up placing in this year's championship still being closely fought between Barrichello, Coulthard and Ralf Schumacher, Michael Schumacher has already said that he will do what he can to help his teammate into the runner-up spot by the end of the season.
Another win for Schumacher on Sunday would allow him to equal Ayrton Senna by number of victories in this race (5). In addition, another win would, of course, make him the most successful Formula One driver ever with a total of 52 wins that would put him one ahead of Alain Prost, whose record he equaled in Hungary.