Tough tracks + next month

The world’s most challenging racetracks

THEoriginal Spa-francorchamps Circuit consisted of public roads in Ardennes Forest between the villages of Francorchamps, Malmedy and Stavelot. Back then, it was a 14 km track that, even for the time, was regarded as dangerously fast. Spa hosted its rst Grand Prix in 1925 but, by 1970, increasing focus on driver safety saw it removed from the calendar. After the track was shortened and extensively modi ed – with treacherous corners such as Masta Kink and Burnenville consigned to history – Spa returned to the fold. That hasn’t removed its teeth, though; the feared Eau Rouge and Blanchimont remain, along with new high-speed turns like the tricky downhill double-left at Pouhon.

TOUGHEST CORNER: EAU ROUGE

Raidillon is its actual name, but this fearsome corner is universally known for the red-hued ( eau rouge), iron-rich stream that runs beneath it. In the 1930s, looking to add some spice to the track, the circuit owners added an arti cial uphill sweep with a rise of 17% and an elevation of 40,8 metres. While accelerating from La Source hairpin, and needing to carry the requisite speed for Kemmel Straight, F1 drivers take Eau Rouge at-out, approaching speeds of 300 km/h and enduring a 1,7 G compression at the bottom of the slope.

THE MASTER: MICHAEL SCHUMACHER

Schumi has the most F1 victories at Spa (1992, ’95-‘97, 2001-‘02), but it was his win in ’97 that stands out. In appalling conditions, the race started behind a safety car for the rst time in F1 history and, from third on the grid, the German blasted past Jean Alesi and Jacques Villeneuve before disappearing into the distance and winning by a massive 26,753 seconds.

INTERESTING FACT

He may have 32 victories to his name and be acknowledged as one of the best F1 drivers in the sport’s history, but Fernando Alonso has never won at Spa. His 11 appearances have brought him just two second places and one third.