LOCATION: Spa-Francorchamps
FIRST GP: 1950
CIRCUIT LENGTH: 7.004 km
RACE DISTANCE: 308.052 km
LAPS: 44
LAP RECORD: 1:46.296 – Valtteri Bottas (2018)
Spa-Francorchamps: A Legendary Formula 1 Circuit Unparalleled in its Magnificence
Spa-Francorchamps stands as an authentic and timeless gem among Formula 1 circuits. Once spanning a colossal 14 kilometers, it remains the longest track on the calendar to this day, measuring an impressive 7.004 kilometers. A prominent feature of this iconic circuit is the Bus Stop section, which was formerly a double chicane but now stands as a single turn. Navigating this section is a formidable challenge, as overshooting it is all too easy, and due to safety regulations, cutting the corner is strictly prohibited. Rejoining the track after a misstep consumes valuable time. Spa is notorious for its propensity for rain, whether during practice sessions or the race itself. It is a track that separates the skilled from the exceptional, and the majority of drivers hold a deep affection for it. To comprehend the arduousness of the task it presents, one need only glance at the illustrious list of past winners. Eau Rouge and the subsequent Raidillon, along with Les Combes, Malmedy, Stavelot, and Blanchimont, are among the track’s most renowned sections. Ferrari has triumphed 18 times in Belgium, with 14 of those victories earned at Spa-Francorchamps. The first conqueror was Alberto Ascari in 1952, and the most recent was Charles Leclerc four years ago, when the Monegasque driver also secured his first F1 victory.
EAU ROUGE AND RAIDILLON
This section of the track is undeniably one of the most awe-inspiring in the world. The barriers that once lined it closely, penalizing even the slightest error, have been adjusted, but it demands unwavering respect to this day. Exiting this stretch with caution is imperative, as a sluggish departure almost invariably results in losing a valuable position.
Bus Stop and La Source
As you approach this exhilarating section, having descended from Blanchimont with cooled brakes, a sluggish exit places you at the mercy of La Source, just beyond the finish line. The hairpin following the start poses a considerable challenge: in 2012, Romain Grosjean’s recklessness turned the pack into bowling pins, with his car soaring over Alonso’s Ferrari in a jaw-dropping spectacle.
FERRARI F1 STATS SINCE 1950
- 18 RACE WINS
- 14 POLE POSITIONS
- 19 FASTEST LAPS
- 49 PODIUMS
HALL OF FAME
- VICTORIES
| YEAR | DRIVER | MODEL |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Ascari | 500 F2 |
| 1953 | Ascari | 500 F2 |
| 1956 | Collins | D50 |
| 1961 | Hill | 156 F1 |
| 1966 | Surtees | 312 F1-66 |
| 1975 | Lauda | 312 T |
| 1976 | Lauda | 312 T2 |
| 1979 | Scheckter | 312 T4 |
| 1984 | Alboreto | 126 C4 |
| 1996 | Schumacher | F310 |
| 1997 | Schumacher | F310 B |
| 2001 | Schumacher | F2001 |
| 2002 | Schumacher | F2002 |
| 2007 | Raikkonen | F2007 |
| 2008 | Massa | F2008 |
| 2009 | Raikkonen | F60 |
| 2018 | Vettel | SF71H |
| 2019 | Leclerc | SF90 |
POLE POSITIONS:
| YEAR | DRIVER | MODEL |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Ascari | 500 F2 |
| 1956 | Fangio | D50 |
| 1958 | Hawthorn | 246 F1 |
| 1961 | Hill | 156 F1 |
| 1966 | Surtees | 312 F1-66 |
| 1968 | Amon | 312 F1-68 |
| 1974 | Regazzoni | 312 B3-74 |
| 1975 | Lauda | 312 T |
| 1976 | Lauda | 312 T2 |
| 1984 | Alboreto | 126 C4 |
| 1995 | Berger | 412 T2 |
| 2002 | Schumacher | F2002 |
| 2007 | Raikkonen | F2007 |
| 2019 | Leclerc | SF90 |
FASTEST LAPS:
| YEAR | DRIVER | MODEL |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Ascari | 500 F2 |
| 1958 | Hawthorn | 500 F2 |
| 1960 | Hill | 256 F1 |
| 1961 | Ginther | 156 F1 |
| 1966 | Surtees | 312 F1-66 |
| 1975 | Regazzoni | 312 T |
| 1976 | Lauda | 312 T2 |
| 1979 | Villeneuve | 312 T4 |
| 1984 | Arnoux | 126 C4 |
| 1988 | Berger | F1-87/88 |
| 1990 | Prost | F1-90 |
| 1998 | Schumacher | F300 |
| 2000 | Barrichello | F1-2000 |
| 2001 | Schumacher | F2001 |
| 2002 | Schumacher | F2002 |
| 2007 | Massa | F2007 |
| 2008 | Raikkonen | F2008 |
| 2017 | Vettel | SF70H |
| 2019 | Vettel | SF90 |








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