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Spa is a superb circuit with combination of ultra high speed corners requiring absolute commitment, and magnificent countryside. All this wrapped up with notorious weather which can change from sun to rain in moments. But beware it must be treated with respect.
From the 3rd gear exit of La Source you dive downhill, rapidly accelerating into 4th and 5th, the speed being accentuated by your closeness to the pit wall. As you cross the start-line all you can see is the awesome sight of the track rising steeply at Eau Rouge. The heart rate rises every lap.
Once you know what you are doing, Eau Rouge is taken flat out but to do so requires confidence in the car and calls for extreme precision and alertness. You just touch the kerb on the left and then point the car in at the right hand apex aimed fairly well round the corner. There is a lot of downward G-force as the car tries to bury itself in the track and then you must be careful to turn left into the final part of the corner, using some of the smooth inside kerb if needed. It all happens in a flash. Then it’s maximum acceleration in 5th still climbing steadily uphill along the Kemel Straight and approaching Les Combes. You should check gauges, relax your hands and relax a second or two.
Approaching Les Combes it’s critical to get the braking point absolutely right or face over-shooting the corner. There are markers on the left to watch for – especially at night. It can also be a good overtaking spot if you’ve got a quick run out of Eau Rouge and are feeling brave on the brakes.
Brake well over to the left and then right into Les Combes in 3rd, tight on the inside before clipping the left hand apex and drifting over to the right. A quick spurt of power and then right again, sliding to the kerbing on the exit - the last three corners all flowing into each other.
Hard on the power downhill briefly into 4th, before braking and changing down into 3rd again then turning hard right into Malmedy - a long, long, downhill corner that just keeps on going. Turn in a little late but get the apex and lots of patience needed as you hang on to the car, play with the throttle and then slide to the kerbing on the exit - not too far though because you then have to move over to the right before turning left into the next corner, still going downhill. Make sure you turn in early.
Along a short downhill straight, into 4th and 5th and a chance for a deep breath before the intimidating prospect of the very fast 4th gear left-hander of Pouhon. It’s a strange corner and in fact almost double apexed. You dab the brakes, into 4th and turn in very smoothly with power, staying out wide for the first part, onto the kerbing on the outside and then go into the second part of the corner, letting the car drift out to the edge and up into 5th at the same time, but making sure you get a smooth exit for the run down to Les Fagnes. It’s very important to keep focused on the clipping point rather than the very intimidating gravel trap and armco on the right hand side.
A short straight, over to the left and then brake and turn-in hard into the right-hand part of the corner in 4th. It’s important not to go too wide because it’s immediately followed by a downshift to 3rd and a tighter left-hander which is taken on the inside with the flow from the last corner and full acceleration.
Slide out to the kerb on the right into 4th, but bring the car back over to the left quite quickly for Stavelot and back down into 3rd - a slightly down-hill, double-apexed right-hander with a long, swooping exit where it’s critical to be on the power early in order to maximise your speed on the run down to the bus stop chicane. On the exit you join the old circuit which still runs on the main road and leads into the awesome Blanchimont section of corners.
Again a section that can be taken flat in 5th once you have the skill and confidence. First, an absolutely flat left-handed corner, started from the right hand side of the track and using every inch of road to straighten the bend. No sooner is it over and the second tighter part looms up. Perfect positioning is needed and then confidence in pushing the car through. Do not touch the inside kerb and then let it glide to the outside. Get it right and it’s an awe-inspiring corner with the car balanced on the edge of adhesion. Get it wrong and - don’t even think about it!
Down the straight, round a kink to the right and then stand on the brakes for the bus stop chicane, taken in third. Try to straight line the kerbs as much as possible going in but beware they are very rough and will damage the car if used excessively. Hard on the power again before brushing the kerbs of the second part of the bus stop and out past the Formula 1 pits and start, rushing down to La Source. Watch for the team pit board in the pits here.
La Source is a tight corner and the scene of many shunts as the cars brake from 100mph down to 40mph. However, it’s definitely one of the best overtaking spots on the circuit. Brake very hard on the left of the circuit (unless you’re defending your position) and then turn-in hard into the right-hander, being careful not to slide too wide on the exit. 3rd gear is essential, and 2nd can be quicker if you can handle all the changes. Down the hill, over the finish line and time to psyche yourself up ready for another lap of this incredibly demanding circuit.
The weather is always a big factor at Spa and beautiful sunny days frequently turn into torrential rain storms in a matter of minutes, resulting in hazardous streams running across the circuit. However, nothing can dampen the enthusiasm of racing on one of the best circuits in the world.
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