Name: Spa Grand Prix - FORMULA 1 ROLEX BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2024 (Official)
Start: 2024-08-26
End: 2024-08-28
Location: Spa Grand Prix
Rating: 4.5

Discover the
legendary winners
of the Spa Grand Prix!

2023

Max Verstappen

Red Bull-Honda RBPT

2022

Max Verstappen

Red Bull

2021

Max Verstappen

Red Bull-Honda

2020

Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes

2019

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari

2018

Sebastian Vettel

Ferrari

2016

Nico Rosberg

Mercedes

2014

Daniel Ricciardo

Red Bull-Renault

2012

Jenson Button

McLaren-Mercedes

2007

Kimi Räikkönen

Ferrari

2002

Michael Schumacher

Ferrari

2000

Mika Häkkinen

McLaren-Mercedes

1998

Damon Hill

Jordan-Mugen Honda

1995

Michael Schumacher

Benetton-Renault

1991

Ayrton Senna

McLaren-Honda

1983

Alain Prost

McLaren-TAG

1965

Jim Clark

Lotus

1954

Juan Manuel Fangio

Maserati

1953

Alberto Ascari

Ferrari

Explore the history
of the circuit since its
inception

1920

Three roads to create a circuit

Creation of a circuit linking Spa-Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot by Chevalier Jules de Thier, owner of the Liège newspaper La Meuse, along with Baron Joseph de Crawhez (mayor of Spa) and racing driver Henri Langlois van Ophem, to revive the Coupe de la Meuse after the First World War.

The circuit was then 15.820 km long and used public roads that were normally open to traffic.

1922

Inauguration of the Belgian Grand Prix

The Royal Automobile Club of Belgium organizes the first Belgian Grand Prix. The victory goes to the Impéria-Abadal driven by Tornaco-Bruyère.

1924

Start of the 24 Hours of Francorchamps

The circuit hosts the 24 Hours of Francorchamps for the first time, increasing its fame thanks to this endurance race.

1928

First asphalting of the circuit

The circuit is asphalted for the first time, improving safety and racing conditions.

1939

Construction of the Raidillon

The old customs bend is replaced by the Raidillon, a fast, uphill curve that will become iconic in the world of motor racing.

1953

Improvements and expansion of the circuit

The circuit is widened and the Stavelot corner is added, modernizing the infrastructure to meet better racing standards.

1970

Closure of the F1 Grand Prix on the large circuit

Pedro Rodriguez wins the last Belgian Grand Prix on the original layout before the circuit is deemed too dangerous.

1979

Inauguration of the new 6.9 km circuit

A new section is created between Les Combes and the new Paul Frère corner, reducing the circuit length to 6.947 km but improving safety and modernity of the facilities.

1983

Triumphant return of Formula 1

Formula 1 returns to Francorchamps, with a memorable victory by Alain Prost.

2003

Transition to a semi-permanent circuit

The circuit is closed to traffic for most of the year and quickly becomes permanent, used 220 days a year.

2007

Modernization

New infrastructures, including modern pits, are built with an investment of 15 million euros.

To meet the new safety standards required by Formula 1, a remodeling took place between 2006 and 2007, relocating the Bus Stop chicane and the La Source hairpin.

The modifications to the circuit now extend the track length to 7,004 meters.

2024

40 million euros to renovate the circuit

One year after the inauguration of the new grandstand in the Eau Rouge descent, new works are planned to improve, in particular, hospitality and safety as part of a strategic plan for 2028.

The corners

La Source

Also called the La Source hairpin, it is the first challenge faced after the start. Shaped like a U, it is the slowest corner on the circuit. The place gets its name from the various water springs in the region, especially in the Spa area.

Eau Rouge and Raidillon

Perhaps the most famous combination of corners in the racing world. Drivers dive into a descent before quickly climbing a steep hill, which is a major challenge in terms of skill and bravery.

Les Combes

A sequence of fast right and left turns, crucial for good speed in the following sectors.

Malmedy

A fast right-hand corner that immediately follows Les Combes.

Bruxelles

A long right-hand corner, sometimes called Rivage, which is taken downhill.

Pouhon

A double left-hand corner, fast and taken at high speed, very technically demanding.

Campus and Stavelot

Two right-hand corners that lead to the long fast section of the circuit, Blanchimont.

La Chicane

A right-left chicane just before the start/finish line, a key overtaking point.

The circuit

Discover the different areas, grandstands, car parks and campsites on the circuit.

Parkings

Campings

Tour information

The bends

A legendary track in the world of motorsport...

Regularly voted as the best by drivers from all over the world, the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most legendary motorsport tracks.

A global label that is rarely disputed and must be due to the Spa loop's undulating profile, its quick corners, with its famous and unique Raidillon, of course, but also to its natural and majestic setting, surrounded by fir forests in which the roar of the engines reverberate. A real jewel that is continuously adapting to the latest FIA safety standards. An historic Belgian monument as well known throughout the world as the Atomium or the Grand Place in Brussels.

From Juan-Manuel Fangio to Alberto Ascari in passing by Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Jim Clark, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and not forgetting Henri Pescarolo, Fernando Alonso, Tom Kristensen, André Lotterer, Jacky Ickx, Thierry Boutsen, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton, the greatest names in international motorsport have triumphed there at one time or another.

... and also a centre of attraction

Permanent for several years now, Spa-Francorchamps is today a real hub of tourist attractions and sporting events which hosts the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium, the 24 Hours of Spa, the WEC, but also all kinds of activities, national races and foreign championships, trials, track introductions, visits and incentives on a track that operates for 8 months each year.

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps recently made a major switch to digital to become a 100% fully-connected circuit, with free WiFi offered to the public and numerous new services to come.

The fan experience is part of its priorities and facilities are being constantly improved to better host the public and provide increasingly more efficient services. In 2021, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps will be one of the first circuits in the world to celebrate its centenary!

The corners

The toboggan of the Ardennes, better known under the name of Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, has the distinctive feature of not having even the smallest part of its track located in the Commune of Spa. Nowadays, the track is solely concentrated in the Malmedy and Stavelot municipal areas.

This is one of the favourite circuits for drivers because of the variety of the track in the hilly landscape of the Belgian Ardennes that allows them to showcase their talent. Dan Gurney used to say that this circuit "separated the men from the boys".

Designed in 1921 by Jules de Thier and Henri Langlois Van Ophem, the original 14,981 km track essentially had the shape of a triangle connecting Francorchamps, Malmedy and Stavelot and used public roads open to traffic in normal time. It became permanent in 2000.

No fewer than 100 metres difference in height separate the summit of Combes and the Paul Frère Corner. The current track has been modified on several occasions and henceforth is a permanent 7,004-metres-long circuit of development. It is still a very fast and undulating circuit, taking up part of the former track, which presents features appreciated by the greatest drivers in the world of various categories.

Spa-Francorchamps is also known for its abrupt changes in weather conditions.