 |
Date: | August 30 |
| Grand Prix: | Belgium | |
| Circuit Length: | 6.968km | |
| Laps: | 44 | |
| Total Distance: | 306.592km | |
| 1997 Winner: | Michael Schumacher | |
| 1996 Winner: | Michael Schumacher | |
| Track Record: | Alain Prost (1993) | |
| 1:51,095 |
Spa Francorchamps like the Nurburgring was a fantastic road course. The original Spa track was almost nine miles long twisting, climbing and falling through the Ardennes forest. Spa hosted the Belgian GP from 1950 - 1970 when safety concerns led to the closure of the circuit. The new Spa Circuit was opened in 1979, fears that it would be a poor relation to its namesake were unfounded. The new cicuit kept the best parts of the original Spa circuit. The fabulous uphill Eau Rouge, the hairpin at La Source, and the sweeping Blanchimont were all still part of the new track.
The circuit length is now just below 7 kilometres and Spa is arguably the finest road track used in Formula 1. In 1983 after the death of Gilles Villeneuve at Zolder, Spa was given the Belgian GP once more, and since 1985 it has kept the event. The circuit is always affected by the weather and it is not unknown for it to be raining on one section, while remaining dry on others. It is a venue that truly rewards the talented Ayrton Senna won five races here, four in succesion.
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