After a year on the sidelines, the most glorious course in
Formula One returns to the calendar this weekend with the biggest facelift since it was shortened from a 14km thrash between towns.
Spa-Francorchamps rates highly among drivers of all eras, with its dips and twists through the Ardennes providing the biggest challenge of the year. Eau Rouge continues to attract mixed reviews from those that take it, but always attracts awe and recognition from those looking on, and the likes of Pouhon, Stavelot and Blanchimont still carry
cache.
The track changes come at the unloved Bus Stop chicane, which is now altered to become a tight right-left S-bend onto the main start-finish straight with a faster entry from Blanchimnont. The La Source hairpin has also been moved to create a slightly longer straight, but remains essentially unaltered. Behind the scenes, a new pit and paddock area finally bring the circuit in line with more modern facilities, with brand new
F1 garages being constructed and the entire paddock being revamped.
With just a week between the Italian and Belgian grands prix, there is no time for the teams to test, but all eleven
equipes ran at the revamped Spa in early summer, so none will be entirely blind when the action gets underway on Friday.
FIA F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS
It may have only been a few days since the last grand prix, but something scandalous is rarely far from the headlines in
Formula 1 and the word ‘spying’ has been on everyone’s lips again since
Fernando Alonso crossed the line at Monza.
Well, at least, the words ‘spying’ and ‘new evidence’, all of which is expected to come to light at the reconvening of the World Motor Sport Council this week to potentially put to rest the scandal that has swamped the sport for some months now.
