Track Torque: Super-fast Spa beckons
The Belgian Grand Prix takes place this Sunday.
SPA-Francorchamps is probably the most formidable and challenging track in the world.
The circuit, which hosts this Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix, measures 5.8km and has 17 corners, many of which are very, very fast and testing.
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After the start line it’s a hard right into La Source hairpin, then flat out up the hill to the terrifying Eau Rouge, which is a left-right flick taken full bore at nearly 300km per hour… and the exit is blind.
Courageous driving is required as the drivers continue up through the Ardenne Forest through Kemmel at 320kmh (200mph).
Then it’s on to Les Combes and Malmedy before turning downhill through the Rivage hairpin at only 100kmh.
It’s further downhill on to the great corners of Pouhon left, Fagnes right and then Campus, another right-hander.
Drivers eventually come to Blanchimont, another flat out left hander at 315 kmh.
Then it’s the bus stop chicane, before arriving back past the pits at La Source.
And I have only described the most famous corners…
The almost 6km took just 1.30.6 seconds for Nico Rosberg’s pole position last year.
Spa has a climate all of its own. It can be raining up in the Ardenne Forest and dry at La Source.
This is what makes Spa such a challenge.
If ever there is a track to separate the men from the boys, it’s Spa.
The battle of the giants will continue this weekend between Ferrari and Mercedes.
We shall have to guess, and wait and see whether Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel or Kimi Raikkonen gains the upper hand.
They will be chased hard by the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.
I expect the Force Indias of Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon and the Renault of Nico Hulkenberg to be close behind, followed by the rest of the pack.
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Wet weather, so common at Spa, could make the race extra exciting but whatever the conditions, the spectacle will be great.
We can expect a lot of upgrades on the cars so that form may change.
Qualifying should be at 2pm on Saturday while the race on Sunday starts at 3pm.
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