Hungary normally hosts the final race forward of the summer season shutdown, however, in 2023, this function belongs to Spa that may host Round 12 of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship. F1Technical’s senior author Balázs Szabó delivers his race preview forward of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.
The monitor designed by a chevalier
The Spa-Francorchamps race monitor was designed by the chevalier Jules de Thier in 1920 who needed to revive the La Meuse Cup, a automotive race which was run earlier than the World War One. The web site for the circuit was marked in a triangle shaped by the routes 32, 23 and 440 connecting Spa-Francorchamps to Malmedy and Stavelot.
The first race was cancelled as a result of there was just one entrant. The subsequent occasion which turned the primary ever race on the 15.820km lengthy monitor was entered by 23 motorbikes.
In 1922, the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium organized the primary ever race for automobiles on the monitor which was an endurance race. The first ever GP was held in 1925 which was gained by Alfa Romeo’s Alberto Ascari.
Three years later, tarmac was laid right down to keep away from stones being thrown up. 1939 noticed a giant change within the structure of the monitor. The outdated Customs bend was eliminated and changed by the high-speed flip, baptised Raidillon. It resulted within the creation of the nook advanced of Eau Rouge and Raidillon that are related by a steep uphill part of an incline of 17 per cent. It contributed to the worldwide fame and status of the circuit.
In 1951, the monitor was enlarged and the Stavelot bend was created. In 1963, the primary security rails have been put in to the high-speed circuit. In 1979, a shorter structure was created in a size of 6.9km. 2007 noticed the final main overhaul of the monitor. The well-known, however problematic bus cease chicane was eliminated and the run-off space at many quick corners have been prolonged.
It’s #BelgianGP week – and it is a #F1Sprint week too! 🇧🇪 #Fit4F1 pic.twitter.com/vPC9w9jeUR
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) July 25, 2023
Drivers’ favorite curler coaster
The 7.004km lengthy monitor is made up of 19 corners. Following a comparatively brief begin straight, drivers brake down to simply 90kph for the primary nook of the monitor, named La Source. An glorious acceleration is important as the next part is the longest interval spent at full throttle not simply at Spa, however on the complete calendar. Turns 2-3-4, the well-known Eau Rouge and Radillon are taken at full throttle in a contemporary F1 automotive, however it’s nonetheless a giant problem, primarily in race trim with degrading tyres or on damp floor.
The Kemmel straight is the continuation of this part the place drivers spend round 18 seconds at full throttle. The finish of the Kemmel straight presents the perfect overtaking alternative and with DRS it could possibly be a simple affair if drivers can keep near their rival exiting Turn 1.
The second sector begins with the Les Combes nook. With Turn 7 and eight, this kinds a improbable sequence of corners the place drivers are in want of a faultless automotive steadiness with a robust entrance finish at Turns 6 and eight and a really secure rear finish at Turn 7.
The monitor goes downhill when drivers head in direction of Turn 9, the Rivage nook. It is a 180-degree bend the place drivers want to indicate endurance initially to then have a very good exit. Turn 10 invitations drivers to make use of th final inch of the extensive kerbs to realize as a lot velocity on the exit as they will for the subsequent sequence of corners. Turn 11, Pouhon permits drivers to remain at full throttle for nearly the complete size of the nook. Turn 12, the Fagnes opens up a bit of three medium-speed corners the place glorious automotive steadiness and high-downforce ranges are desired.
Sector 3 begins with Turn 15 which is known as Stavelot. When drivers exit this medium-speed bend, they’re in a rush to use full throttle which they hold by means of Turns 16 and 18 till they arrive on the Bus Stop chicane that contains two low-speed corners. At the exit of the ultimate flip, drivers at all times are on the restrict relating to the rear grip stage, however they’re keen to use full throttle as rapidly as they will to finish the final metres of the longest circuit of the present F1 calendar.
