F1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps: Circuit Guide, History and Records
The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps is one of Formula 1’s greatest challenges, combining enormous speed, dramatic elevation changes, long straights and some of the most celebrated corners in motorsport. Eau Rouge, Raidillon, Pouhon and Blanchimont demand commitment and aerodynamic confidence, while the unpredictable weather of the Ardennes can transform the circuit from dry to wet within minutes.
At 7.004 kilometres, Spa-Francorchamps remains the longest circuit on the current Formula 1 calendar. Its size is part of what makes the Belgian Grand Prix so unusual: conditions can be completely different from one end of the circuit to the other, while teams must find a difficult compromise between straight-line efficiency and the downforce required through the demanding middle sector.
Ferrari also has an exceptional history in Belgium. The Scuderia is the most successful constructor in Belgian Grand Prix history, while Spa has provided landmark victories for drivers including Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc. You can explore the other venues on the ScuderiaFans Formula 1 circuits guide.
Belgian Grand Prix circuit information
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps lies in the Ardennes region of eastern Belgium, close to the towns of Spa, Francorchamps, Stavelot and Malmedy. The original circuit was created from public roads in the early 1920s and measured close to 15 kilometres, making it considerably longer and even faster than the modern configuration.
The current Grand Prix circuit measures 7.004 kilometres and features 19 corners. Formula 1 completes 44 laps for a total race distance of 308.052 kilometres, while Sergio Perez holds the official race lap record with a 1:44.701 set for Red Bull during the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix.
- Circuit: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
- Location: Stavelot, Wallonia, Belgium
- First Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix: 1950
- Circuit length: 7.004 km
- Race distance: 308.052 km
- Number of laps: 44
- Number of corners: 19
- Race lap record: 1:44.701 – Sergio Perez, Red Bull, 2024
Why Spa-Francorchamps is one of Formula 1’s greatest circuits
Spa rewards almost every quality required from a Formula 1 car and driver. The first and third sectors place a premium on straight-line speed and aerodynamic efficiency, while the middle sector contains a succession of medium- and high-speed corners where downforce and chassis balance become far more important.
That creates one of the championship’s most difficult setup compromises. Reducing wing levels improves speed along the Kemmel Straight and the long full-throttle sections later in the lap, but doing so can leave the driver struggling for grip through corners such as Bruxelles, Pouhon and Fagnes.
The length of the lap makes mistakes particularly expensive. A driver who loses several tenths through one section has fewer opportunities to recover the time, while a badly timed yellow or red flag in qualifying can ruin a session because another complete seven-kilometre lap takes considerably longer than at most circuits.
Spa-Francorchamps elevation changes
Elevation is central to Spa’s character. The circuit rises and falls dramatically through the Ardennes landscape, with the most famous climb beginning immediately after Eau Rouge as the cars accelerate steeply uphill through Raidillon towards the Kemmel Straight.
The difference between the circuit’s highest and lowest areas is substantial, and drivers experience repeated compression and unloading as the car follows the terrain. These changes influence aerodynamic performance, suspension behaviour and driver visibility while contributing to the extraordinary sensation of speed around the lap.
The gradients also make certain braking points more difficult to judge. A driver approaching a downhill corner may need to account for reduced stability and greater stopping distance, while an uphill braking zone allows the car to decelerate more aggressively.
Eau Rouge and Raidillon
Eau Rouge and Raidillon form the most famous sequence at Spa-Francorchamps and one of the most recognisable sections of any racing circuit. After descending from La Source, drivers cross the Eau Rouge stream area before turning left, right and then left again while climbing sharply uphill.
Although the entire sequence is often casually referred to as Eau Rouge, the left-hand corner at the bottom carries that name, while the steep right-left climb that follows is Raidillon. Modern Formula 1 cars can negotiate the complex at extremely high speed in suitable conditions, but doing so requires confidence in aerodynamic grip and precise positioning.
The crest at Raidillon is particularly demanding because drivers cannot fully see the track ahead while climbing towards it. A small mistake at the bottom of the hill can therefore become much more serious as the car reaches the top at high speed.
A strong run through Raidillon is also crucial for racing because it determines speed along the Kemmel Straight. A driver following closely can use the slipstream to attack before the Les Combes braking zone, making the sequence important for both lap time and overtaking.
The most important corners at Spa-Francorchamps
La Source
The Belgian Grand Prix lap begins with one of the slowest corners on the circuit. La Source is a tight right-hand hairpin reached only a short distance after the starting grid, which means the field remains densely packed when drivers arrive there on the opening lap.
Contact is therefore relatively common at the start, but the exit is just as important as the braking zone. Drivers accelerate downhill from La Source towards Eau Rouge, and losing traction can leave them vulnerable throughout the climb and along the Kemmel Straight.
Kemmel Straight and Les Combes
The Kemmel Straight follows the climb through Raidillon and provides Spa’s principal overtaking opportunity. Drivers can use the slipstream of the car ahead before attacking under braking into Les Combes, where the circuit begins its more technical middle sector.
Starting from pole position does not always guarantee control of the opening lap because a car behind can obtain a significant tow along Kemmel. Drivers at the front must therefore balance defending their position with preparing the car correctly for the sequence that follows.
Bruxelles
After Les Combes and Malmedy, the circuit falls downhill towards the long right-hander at Bruxelles. The corner is slower than much of the surrounding lap and requires patience because carrying too much entry speed can push the car wide and compromise traction.
Its downhill nature makes the braking phase particularly challenging. Drivers need to control front locking while rotating the car through a corner that seems to continue for longer than expected.
Pouhon
Pouhon is one of Spa’s great high-speed tests. The double left-hander is approached downhill and places sustained lateral load through the tyres while demanding considerable commitment from the driver.
A well-balanced Formula 1 car allows the driver to carry enormous speed through the section, but understeer can quickly push the car away from the ideal line. Rear instability is equally costly because even a small correction at these speeds can destroy momentum through both parts of the corner.
Fagnes and Stavelot
The Fagnes sequence requires rapid direction changes before the lap begins opening up again through Stavelot. This area exposes the compromise teams make with their aerodynamic setup because the car needs enough downforce to remain responsive without carrying unnecessary drag on the straights.
Stavelot is particularly important because a good exit begins one of the longest sustained high-speed sections of the circuit. Any mistake therefore continues to cost time through several subsequent corners.
Blanchimont
Blanchimont is another of Spa’s legendary high-speed corners. Drivers approach at enormous speed through a flowing left-hand section with relatively little margin for error, making aerodynamic confidence essential.
Although modern cars can negotiate the corner extremely quickly, following another car can make the challenge more complicated because turbulent air reduces grip. Drivers attempting an overtake towards the Bus Stop must therefore judge whether they can remain close enough without destabilising the car.
The Bus Stop chicane
The Bus Stop is the final major braking zone of the lap and another potential overtaking opportunity. Drivers arrive after the high-speed run through Blanchimont and must slow dramatically for the right-left chicane before accelerating towards the finish line.
It can also decide qualifying laps. After more than seven kilometres of committed driving, braking slightly too late or locking a front tyre at the final chicane can erase much of the advantage built throughout the rest of the lap.
Aerodynamic setup at Spa-Francorchamps
Spa presents engineers with one of Formula 1’s classic aerodynamic compromises. Teams want low drag for the Kemmel Straight and long flat-out sections, but the middle sector rewards considerably more downforce through its succession of medium- and high-speed corners.
A car configured too aggressively for straight-line speed can become difficult to drive through Pouhon and Fagnes, costing enough time to outweigh the benefit on the straights. Conversely, a high-downforce setup may look excellent through Sector 2 but leave the driver vulnerable when another car uses the slipstream on the Kemmel Straight.
Raceability also matters. A setup that produces the fastest theoretical qualifying lap is not necessarily the best choice for Sunday if the car cannot defend or overtake efficiently on Spa’s long straights.
Tyre management at the Belgian Grand Prix
Spa places significant loads through Formula 1 tyres because several corners are taken at high speed and the lap contains large changes in elevation and vertical load. Pouhon is particularly demanding, while sustained speeds through other sections can generate substantial temperature across the tyre surface.
The circuit’s length also makes tyre warm-up unusual. Drivers have far more distance between leaving the pits and completing a flying lap than at shorter venues, which creates opportunities to prepare the tyres carefully but also increases the risk of losing temperature if a lap is interrupted.
Track temperatures can vary dramatically depending on the weather. Cool and damp conditions may make it difficult to generate grip, whereas a hot summer weekend can increase thermal degradation and encourage teams to consider an additional pit stop.
The unpredictable Ardennes weather
Weather is inseparable from the Belgian Grand Prix. Spa’s location in the Ardennes means rain can arrive with little warning, and the circuit is sufficiently long that one sector may be wet while another remains almost completely dry.
This creates a strategic challenge that is difficult to reproduce elsewhere. Switching to intermediate tyres may provide a huge advantage in one part of the lap but cost significant time on dry asphalt elsewhere, while remaining on slicks can become extremely risky if rain intensifies before the driver returns to the pits.
Visibility is another major concern. Spray can become severe at Spa because of the high speeds and elevation changes, particularly through Eau Rouge and Raidillon, where drivers approaching the crest need to know what is happening beyond their line of sight.
Overtaking at the Belgian Grand Prix
Spa generally provides several opportunities for overtaking, with the Kemmel Straight and Les Combes forming the most obvious combination. A strong exit from La Source and clean run through Eau Rouge and Raidillon can allow a following driver to gain a powerful slipstream before braking into the next complex.
The Bus Stop chicane offers another possibility, especially when drivers are on different tyre strategies. La Source can also produce moves, although attacking there may compromise the exit and leave the driver vulnerable to a counterattack along Kemmel.
Because overtaking is possible, teams sometimes accept a slightly lower qualifying position in exchange for better straight-line performance. Spa therefore creates a genuine strategic relationship between Saturday setup decisions and Sunday racecraft.
Belgian Grand Prix strategy
Strategy at Spa is shaped by tyre degradation, pit-stop timing and the constant possibility of weather changes. The long lap means making the wrong tyre decision can be unusually costly because a driver may need to complete several kilometres before returning to the pits.
Safety Cars and Virtual Safety Cars can significantly reduce pit-stop losses, although their timing is particularly important because the field becomes spread over such a long circuit. A neutralisation that occurs only seconds after one driver passes the pit entrance can create a substantial advantage for a rival.
Weather forecasts also need to be treated cautiously. Teams may see rain approaching one section while drivers report dry conditions elsewhere, forcing strategists to combine radar information with real-time feedback rather than relying on one single measurement.
History of the Belgian Grand Prix
Spa-Francorchamps was already an established racing venue before the creation of the Formula 1 World Championship. The original road circuit hosted the Belgian Grand Prix during the inter-war period and became one of seven venues included in the inaugural Formula 1 championship season in 1950.
Juan Manuel Fangio won that first World Championship Belgian Grand Prix for Alfa Romeo. The original Spa layout was extraordinarily fast and dangerous, however, and growing safety concerns eventually led Formula 1 away from the circuit during parts of the 1970s.
The Belgian Grand Prix was subsequently held at Nivelles and Zolder before a substantially shorter and safer Spa-Francorchamps returned. The redesigned circuit rejoined the championship in 1983 and has hosted almost every Belgian Grand Prix since, with Zolder staging the race one final time in 1984.
Despite major changes, Spa retained many of the features that made the original circuit famous. Elevation, high speeds, long straights and the climb through Eau Rouge and Raidillon ensure that the modern venue still feels fundamentally different from most purpose-built Formula 1 tracks.
Ferrari at the Belgian Grand Prix
Ferrari is the most successful constructor in Belgian Grand Prix history, with 18 victories following the Scuderia’s wins with Sebastian Vettel in 2018 and Charles Leclerc in 2019. Ferrari success in Belgium stretches across multiple eras and several different versions of the event.
The modern Spa circuit has been particularly significant for Ferrari drivers. Michael Schumacher delivered several victories during the period in which the Scuderia was rebuilding towards championship dominance, Kimi Raikkonen added another memorable Ferrari win in 2009 and Vettel ended a long drought in 2018 before Leclerc triumphed one year later.
Michael Schumacher and Spa-Francorchamps
No driver has won the Belgian Grand Prix more often than Michael Schumacher, whose six victories established an extraordinary relationship with Spa-Francorchamps. The circuit was also the venue for his Formula 1 debut with Jordan in 1991 and his maiden Grand Prix victory for Benetton one year later.
After joining Ferrari, Schumacher continued that remarkable record. He won the Belgian Grand Prix for the Scuderia in 1996 and 1997 before adding further victories during Ferrari’s dominant championship period in 2001 and 2002.
Spa therefore traces several major stages of Schumacher’s Formula 1 career: his debut, first victory, Ferrari rebuilding years and eventual dominance. Few circuits are so closely associated with one driver’s journey through the sport.
Kimi Raikkonen and his Spa success
Kimi Raikkonen developed his own remarkable relationship with Spa and won the Belgian Grand Prix four times during his career. His 2007 victory came during his first championship-winning season with Ferrari, while his 2009 success became one of the standout performances of a much more difficult year for the Scuderia.
Starting sixth in 2009, Raikkonen moved rapidly into contention before battling surprise pole-sitter Giancarlo Fisichella. The Ferrari driver passed the Force India after the early Safety Car and held the lead to the finish, winning by less than one second.
It proved to be Ferrari’s only victory of the 2009 season. Raikkonen’s ability to consistently perform at Spa strengthened his reputation as one of the circuit’s modern specialists.
Sebastian Vettel beats Lewis Hamilton in 2018
Sebastian Vettel arrived at Spa in 2018 needing to respond after Lewis Hamilton had strengthened his championship position before the summer break. Hamilton took pole for Mercedes in wet qualifying, leaving Vettel alongside him on the front row.
The Ferrari driver produced the decisive move on the opening lap. Vettel used the slipstream to attack Hamilton along the Kemmel Straight and moved into the lead before Les Combes, after which he controlled the race and won by more than 11 seconds.
The victory was Ferrari’s first at Spa since Kimi Raikkonen’s 2009 success and reduced Vettel’s championship deficit. It also demonstrated the strength of Ferrari’s straight-line performance during that phase of the 2018 season.
Charles Leclerc takes his first Formula 1 victory in 2019
Charles Leclerc’s 2019 Belgian Grand Prix victory remains one of the most important and emotional moments of his career. The Ferrari driver qualified on pole position and controlled much of the race before coming under increasing pressure from Lewis Hamilton during the closing laps.
Leclerc held on to claim his maiden Formula 1 victory and Ferrari’s first win of the 2019 season. At 21 years old, he also became the youngest Formula 1 race winner in Ferrari history.
The achievement was overshadowed by the death of Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert following an accident at Spa the previous day. Leclerc had known Hubert since their junior racing years and dedicated the victory to his friend, giving the weekend a deeply emotional significance beyond the sporting result.
Memorable Belgian Grand Prix races
1992: Michael Schumacher claims his first Formula 1 win
Only one year after making his Formula 1 debut at Spa, Michael Schumacher returned with Benetton and secured the first victory of his career. Changing conditions played an important role, and Schumacher’s speed combined with a well-timed switch to slick tyres allowed him to take control.
The victory began a career that would eventually produce seven World Championships and more than 90 Grand Prix wins. Spa remained one of Schumacher’s strongest circuits throughout that journey.
1995: Schumacher wins from 16th on the grid
Michael Schumacher produced another extraordinary Spa performance in 1995 after starting only 16th. Variable weather and aggressive racing allowed the Benetton driver to climb rapidly through the order before taking victory.
Sixteenth remains the lowest grid position from which the Belgian Grand Prix has been won. The result further strengthened Schumacher’s reputation as one of the finest drivers in changing conditions.
1998: chaos in the rain
The 1998 Belgian Grand Prix produced one of the most famous opening-lap accidents in Formula 1 history. Heavy rain and poor visibility contributed to a massive collision shortly after the start, involving much of the field and forcing the race to be stopped.
Michael Schumacher later appeared to be heading towards victory for Ferrari before colliding with David Coulthard while attempting to lap the McLaren in heavy spray. Schumacher retired, leaving Damon Hill to lead Jordan to the first Formula 1 victory in the team’s history.
2000: Mika Hakkinen’s unforgettable pass
The 2000 Belgian Grand Prix featured one of Formula 1’s most celebrated overtaking moves. Mika Hakkinen was chasing title rival Michael Schumacher when the pair approached backmarker Ricardo Zonta on the Kemmel Straight.
Schumacher moved to one side of Zonta while Hakkinen committed to the other, effectively creating a three-wide moment before the braking zone. Hakkinen completed the pass and went on to win, producing an overtaking manoeuvre that remains closely associated with Spa.
2008: Hamilton and Raikkonen battle in late rain
Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton fought intensely for victory during the closing stages of the 2008 Belgian Grand Prix as rain began falling around parts of the circuit. Their battle produced repeated changes of momentum before Raikkonen lost control and crashed out.
Hamilton crossed the finish line first but received a post-race penalty following an earlier incident in his fight with Raikkonen. The penalty promoted Ferrari’s Felipe Massa to victory, adding another unusual chapter to Spa’s history of unpredictable finishes.
2021: Formula 1’s shortest Grand Prix
Persistent rain and extremely poor visibility prevented meaningful racing during the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix. The field completed only a small number of laps behind the Safety Car before conditions were judged unsuitable to continue.
Max Verstappen was classified as the winner ahead of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, with reduced points awarded. The event became the shortest race in Formula 1 World Championship history and intensified discussion about procedures for severely wet conditions.
Recent Belgian Grand Prix results
2022: Max Verstappen charges through the field
Carlos Sainz started the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix from pole position after Max Verstappen and several other drivers received grid penalties. Verstappen therefore began only 14th but quickly demonstrated a major pace advantage, climbing into the leading group within the opening laps.
The Red Bull driver eventually passed Sainz and controlled the remainder of the race, leading teammate Sergio Perez home for a one-two. Sainz resisted George Russell to finish third and secure a podium for Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc’s race became more complicated almost immediately when a visor tear-off entered his brake duct and forced an early pit stop. He recovered into the top five but Ferrari attempted a late stop for fastest lap, after which a pit-lane speeding penalty dropped him to sixth.
2023: Charles Leclerc takes another Spa podium
Max Verstappen again demonstrated Red Bull’s advantage at Spa in 2023. Although a gearbox penalty meant he started sixth, the Dutchman progressed rapidly through the field and ultimately won by more than 22 seconds from teammate Sergio Perez.
Charles Leclerc inherited pole position because of Verstappen’s penalty and delivered one of Ferrari’s strongest weekends of the season. He finished third behind the two Red Bulls, securing another Spa podium despite lacking the race pace required to challenge them for victory.
Carlos Sainz’s afternoon ended early after opening-lap contact caused significant damage. Ferrari therefore left Belgium with only Leclerc’s podium points from the main Grand Prix.
2024: Lewis Hamilton inherits victory as Charles Leclerc finishes third
Charles Leclerc started the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix from pole position after Max Verstappen received a grid penalty, but Mercedes emerged as the stronger race package. Lewis Hamilton moved ahead early, while teammate George Russell attempted an alternative one-stop strategy and crossed the finish line first.
The result changed several hours later when Russell’s Mercedes was found to be underweight during post-race scrutineering. He was disqualified, promoting Hamilton to victory ahead of Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc therefore secured third place for Ferrari, while Carlos Sainz was promoted to sixth. Sergio Perez set the 1:44.701 fastest race lap that remains the official Spa-Francorchamps Formula 1 record.
2025: Oscar Piastri wins a delayed wet-dry Grand Prix
The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix weekend used the Sprint format, with Max Verstappen beating Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in Saturday’s shorter race. Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari after briefly challenging Norris during the opening phase.
Heavy rain delayed Sunday’s Grand Prix by almost 80 minutes. Once racing finally began behind the Safety Car and the field was released, Oscar Piastri immediately used the slipstream to attack pole-sitter Lando Norris after Eau Rouge and took the lead approaching Les Combes.
Piastri remained ahead through the transition to slick tyres and eventually won by 3.415 seconds over Norris, completing a McLaren one-two. Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari and successfully kept Max Verstappen behind, while Lewis Hamilton recovered to seventh after starting from the pit lane.
2026: Kimi Antonelli beats Charles Leclerc in a close Spa battle
The 2026 Belgian Grand Prix developed into a close fight between Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. Kimi Antonelli took pole position ahead of Max Verstappen, while Ferrari entered the race with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton positioned to challenge near the front.
Verstappen briefly seized the lead on the opening lap after an excellent run through Eau Rouge, but Antonelli regained first place along the Kemmel Straight. Behind them, Leclerc moved into third as George Russell dropped behind the Ferraris before making contact with Hamilton at Les Combes and ending his race in the gravel.
The resulting Safety Car compressed the field, and Leclerc later moved into second before Verstappen overtook him. Hamilton also worked his way past Oscar Piastri, although the Ferrari driver received a five-second penalty for his involvement in Russell’s opening-lap retirement.
Strategy changed the picture around the middle of the race. A Virtual Safety Car allowed Ferrari to stop Leclerc at an advantageous moment, and he emerged ahead of Antonelli before passing the yet-to-stop Lando Norris to take the effective race lead.
Antonelli gradually reduced the gap and, with 10 laps remaining, passed Leclerc to reclaim first place. The Ferrari driver remained close and reduced the margin to around half a second at certain stages, but Antonelli resisted the pressure and won by 1.952 seconds.
Leclerc therefore finished second and narrowly missed consecutive victories following his British Grand Prix success, while Max Verstappen completed the podium. Hamilton recovered to fourth despite serving his five-second penalty, giving Ferrari two cars inside the top four at one of the season’s most demanding circuits.
Ferrari’s Belgian Grand Prix record
Ferrari has won the Belgian Grand Prix 18 times, more than any other constructor. The record covers several generations of Formula 1 and includes victories at different Belgian venues as well as numerous successes at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Scuderia’s modern Spa story is particularly strong. Michael Schumacher won four Belgian Grands Prix for Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen added victories including his crucial 2009 success, Sebastian Vettel triumphed in 2018 and Charles Leclerc followed with his maiden Formula 1 victory in 2019.
Leclerc has also remained consistently competitive at Spa in more recent seasons. His third places in 2023, 2024 and 2025 were followed by second place in 2026, making the Belgian circuit one of the tracks where he has repeatedly delivered strong Ferrari results.
Michael Schumacher’s Spa record
Michael Schumacher remains the most successful Belgian Grand Prix driver with six victories. Five of those six Spa wins came without starting from pole position, reflecting both his racecraft and the fact that grid position is less decisive here than at many other Formula 1 circuits.
Spa’s significance to Schumacher extends far beyond statistics. He made his Formula 1 debut there, scored his first victory there and later achieved multiple wins for Ferrari during the period in which he helped transform the Scuderia into Formula 1’s dominant team.
That history makes Spa one of the circuits most closely associated with Schumacher’s career and explains why the Belgian Grand Prix continues to occupy a special place in Ferrari history.
The 2027 Belgian Grand Prix
The Belgian Grand Prix is confirmed to return to Spa-Francorchamps in 2027. Formula 1’s multi-year agreement with the promoter guarantees races at Spa in the 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031 seasons as part of a rotational arrangement for the European calendar.
This means Spa will host consecutive Grands Prix in 2026 and 2027 before sitting out the 2028 season under the currently announced rotation. Barcelona-Catalunya is scheduled to occupy the corresponding rotational slot in 2028, before Spa returns again in 2029.
The precise 2027 Belgian Grand Prix weekend date has not yet been officially confirmed by Formula 1. Official Formula 1 ticketing is already selling access for the 2027 event but currently states that the race date will be updated once the complete 2027 calendar is released.
This page will therefore be updated with the confirmed Friday, Saturday and Sunday dates, session times and any Sprint-format information once Formula 1 publishes the official schedule. For confirmed dates across upcoming seasons, visit the Formula 1 schedule and results page on ScuderiaFans.
Why Spa will not host Formula 1 every year after 2027
Formula 1’s latest agreement with the Belgian Grand Prix represents a change from Spa’s previous annual calendar position. Rather than guaranteeing a race every season, the current arrangement confirms events in selected years as Formula 1 rotates certain European venues.
Spa is currently confirmed for 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya occupies complementary rotational seasons, with Barcelona confirmed to race in 2028, 2030 and 2032.
The arrangement allows Formula 1 to retain two historic European circuits while creating space within an increasingly crowded global calendar. For Spa, it also provides long-term visibility despite the fact that the Belgian Grand Prix will no longer necessarily take place every season.
What makes the Belgian Grand Prix special?
Few Formula 1 circuits combine history, speed and natural terrain as effectively as Spa-Francorchamps. The track does not feel as though it was imposed on the landscape; instead, it follows the hills and valleys of the Ardennes, producing elevation changes and sight lines that are difficult to replicate on a modern purpose-built circuit.
The lap also gives drivers several very different challenges within seven kilometres. They need confidence through Eau Rouge and Raidillon, straight-line efficiency on Kemmel, aerodynamic grip through Pouhon and precision under braking at the Bus Stop.
Weather adds another layer that can never be completely controlled. Even a race expected to remain dry can change quickly, while wet conditions create strategic problems because one part of the circuit may require intermediates when another remains suitable for slicks.
For Ferrari supporters, Spa carries even more significance through Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc. Leclerc’s maiden Formula 1 victory in 2019 remains one of the defining moments of his Ferrari career, while his sequence of recent podiums shows that the relationship between the Scuderia and Spa continues well into the current era.
Belgian Grand Prix FAQs
Where is the Belgian Grand Prix held?
The Belgian Grand Prix is held at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in the Ardennes region of Wallonia, Belgium. The circuit is situated close to the towns of Spa, Francorchamps, Stavelot and Malmedy.
How long is Spa-Francorchamps?
Spa-Francorchamps measures 7.004 kilometres, making it the longest circuit on the current Formula 1 calendar. The Belgian Grand Prix consists of 44 laps for a total race distance of 308.052 kilometres.
How many corners does Spa-Francorchamps have?
The modern Formula 1 layout has 19 officially recognised corners. They range from the slow La Source hairpin and Bus Stop chicane to high-speed sections such as Eau Rouge, Raidillon, Pouhon and Blanchimont.
What is the lap record at Spa-Francorchamps?
Sergio Perez holds the official Formula 1 race lap record at Spa with a 1:44.701, set for Red Bull during the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix.
What is the difference between Eau Rouge and Raidillon?
Eau Rouge is technically the left-hand corner at the bottom of the famous uphill sequence, while Raidillon refers to the steep right-left section that follows. The entire complex is often informally described simply as Eau Rouge.
Why is Spa weather so unpredictable?
Spa is located in the Ardennes hills and covers more than seven kilometres, meaning weather systems can affect different sections of the circuit at different times. Rain may therefore fall around one sector while another remains relatively dry.
Who has won the most Belgian Grands Prix?
Michael Schumacher holds the record with six Belgian Grand Prix victories. He scored his first Formula 1 win at Spa in 1992 and later added four Belgian victories while driving for Ferrari.
Which team has won the most Belgian Grands Prix?
Ferrari is the most successful constructor in Belgian Grand Prix history with 18 victories. The Scuderia’s wins span several generations and include recent successes for Sebastian Vettel in 2018 and Charles Leclerc in 2019.
When did Charles Leclerc win his first Formula 1 race?
Charles Leclerc secured his maiden Formula 1 victory at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix for Ferrari. He started from pole position and held off Lewis Hamilton during the closing laps to take an emotional first win.
How many times has Charles Leclerc finished on the podium at Spa?
Charles Leclerc won at Spa in 2019 and later finished third in 2023, 2024 and 2025 before taking second place in 2026. The circuit has therefore produced several of his strongest results as a Ferrari driver.
Why was the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix unusual?
Persistent heavy rain and extremely poor visibility meant the race could not proceed normally. Only a small number of laps were completed behind the Safety Car, making it the shortest Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix in history.
Is there a Belgian Grand Prix in 2027?
Yes. Spa-Francorchamps is confirmed to host the Belgian Grand Prix in 2027 under Formula 1’s current multi-year agreement, which also guarantees Belgian races in 2029 and 2031.
When is the 2027 Belgian Grand Prix?
The exact 2027 Belgian Grand Prix date has not yet been officially announced by Formula 1. Official ticket sales have begun, but Formula 1 currently states that the date will be confirmed when the complete 2027 calendar is released.
Will Spa host Formula 1 in 2028?
Under the currently announced rotation, Spa-Francorchamps is not scheduled to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2028. Barcelona-Catalunya has the corresponding rotational slot that season, while the Belgian Grand Prix returns to Spa in 2029.
Which years is Spa confirmed to host Formula 1?
The current agreement confirms Belgian Grands Prix at Spa-Francorchamps in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031. Formula 1 introduced the arrangement as part of a longer-term rotational approach for selected European races.
