If you are a Formula One fan, the past four weeks must have been excruciating… and almost as bad as the break between two seasons. By the time the world’s fastest drivers leave the start line this Sunday it would have been a month since we witnessed our last live race. But true aficionados will be smacking their lips as the F1 circus makes its way into the heart of the Ardennes Forest.
Yes boys and girls, its time for the Belgian Grand Prix. This is undoubtedly one of my favourite races of the year. Spa-Francorchamps is the longest track (7,004 km) used for Formula One competition and is one of the last remaining old-school circuits. La Source, Les Combes, Stavelot, Blanchimont, the Bus-Stop are corners that should be known to all racing enthusiasts, not to mention the phenomenal Eau Rouge. This plunge down to the “Red River” followed by the left, then right climb is rated by many drivers as the best corner anywhere in the world.
Unsurprisingly it is also a driver’s circuit and all the pilots enjoy the challenge that Spa brings. Senna and Schumacher both proved that you have to be the best to make Spa your own – those two masters recorded nine wins between them in the Ardennes.
Not only is the circuit demanding but the weather always plays a big factor, too. It can be raining heavily at one part on the circuit but be bone-dry at another.
Spa always produces fantastic races, and who knows, it could prove to the the pivotal race in the outcome of the 2011 championship.
Here are just two of my favourite moments from the recent past.
Schumacher is overtaken by Hakkinen:
http://youtu.be/BEUKf83k3L0
Raikkonen doesn’t lift for anything, and shows phenomenal car control at 57 seconds:
http://youtu.be/el7H859G4ug
If you are a Formula One fan, the past four weeks must have been excruciating… and almost as bad as the break between two seasons. By the time the world’s fastest drivers leave the start line this Sunday it would have been a month since we witnessed our last live race. But true aficionados will be smacking their lips as the F1 circus makes its way into the heart of the Ardennes Forest.
Yes boys and girls, its time for the Belgian Grand Prix. This is undoubtedly one of my favourite races of the year. Spa-Francorchamps is the longest track (7,004 km) used for Formula One competition and is one of the last remaining old-school circuits. La Source, Les Combes, Stavelot, Blanchimont, the Bus-Stop are corners that should be known to all racing enthusiasts, not to mention the phenomenal Eau Rouge. This plunge down to the “Red River” followed by the left, then right climb is rated by many drivers as the best corner anywhere in the world.
Unsurprisingly it is also a driver’s circuit and all the pilots enjoy the challenge that Spa brings. Senna and Schumacher both proved that you have to be the best to make Spa your own – those two masters recorded nine wins between them in the Ardennes.
Not only is the circuit demanding but the weather always plays a big factor, too. It can be raining heavily at one part on the circuit but be bone-dry at another.
Spa always produces fantastic races, and who knows, it could prove to the the pivotal race in the outcome of the 2011 championship.
Here are just two of my favourite moments from the recent past.
Schumacher is overtaken by Hakkinen:
http://youtu.be/BEUKf83k3L0
Raikkonen doesn’t lift for anything, and shows phenomenal car control at 57 seconds:
http://youtu.be/el7H859G4ug