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2 Sep 2012Spa-Francorchamps, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Eau Rouge: not the challenge it used to be, but still a classic corner. Lots of g-forces.
Les Combes: if you’ve managed to stay close to the car in front through Eau Rouge, this is a good overtaking spot.
Pouhon: the most demanding of Spa’s fast corners. The hard work is done between turn-in and the first apex because the corner eases towards the exit.
Bus Stop: another possible overtaking place, but not as good a corner as the old Bus Stop.
| 2010 winner | Sebastian Vettel |
| Mark’s place | 2nd |
| Race date | 2 Sep 2012 |
| Circuit name | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps |
| No. of laps | 44 |
| Circuit length | 7.004 km |
| Race distance | 308.863 km |
| Lap record | 1:45.108 – K Raikkonen (2004) |
Spa-Francorchamps is a sensational track. It’s one of the few places in the world where you feel the track is laughing at the cars. It’s pretty narrow in places and the elevation changes are huge.
Eau Rouge is one of the most famous corners in the world, but it’s nothing like the challenge it was when we had V10 engines. It was very tasty back then. It’s become a lot more comfortable in recent years, although it’s still a corner where you want everything on the car to stay together. Any failures, particularly at the bottom of the hill, and you’re going to be bracing yourself.
This is the longest track on the calendar and it feels incredible when you’re up at Les Combes (Turn 7). You’re a long way from the pits and it’s taken you next to no time to get there. Then there’s the double-left at Pouhon, which is sensational. Last year I took it in seventh gear in qualifying. I asked for sixth, but the revs were too high and it wouldn’t go in.
You always need to have one eye on the weather at Spa. It can change in a flash and you never know what to expect. Just to confuse matters, it can often be raining on one part of the track and dry on another, so you’ve got to be on your game in the cockpit.
I stay in a small hotel in the town of Francorchamps over the race weekend. A lovely couple runs the place; they cry every time we check-in and they cry again when we check-out. Spa wouldn’t be Spa without it.
AS A MATTER OF FACT…
- Mark had one of the biggest accidents of his career at Spa-Francorchamps. In 2001 he crashed at the top of Eau Rouge in the Formula 3000 race and, luckily, he went into the barriers backwards.
- Eau Rouge is now ‘easy flat’ in an F1 car, so Pouhon is the most daunting corner on the lap. It’s taken in sixth gear at 290kph – not for the faint hearted.
- Spa was on the first world championship calendar in 1950. It was then removed in 1970 due to safety concerns and it didn’t return until 1983 in the revised format that, bar a few minor renovations, remains to this day. Spa was dropped from the 2003 and 2006 F1 calendars for reasons unrelated to safety.
- At 7.004kms, Spa is the longest circuit on the F1 calendar. It’s 1.197kms longer than Suzuka, the second longest.
Comments
Magdalena
POSTED August 03rd, 2011
Can’t wait! Be careful Mark! oh, 3,5 weeks of waiting….
shoji
POSTED August 10th, 2011
We are waiting for your first win in 2011.Do not disappoint us,we all behind you….
Bidi
POSTED August 12th, 2011
Looking forward to Spa I have F1 withdrawal symptoms
Petra
POSTED August 12th, 2011
Hey Mark, hope you’ve enjoyed nice holidays so far. Wish you all the best for Spa.
wayne mortimer
POSTED August 19th, 2011
hope that you do well in the race, and win the championship. will you be with red bull next year? go get em
Lisbeth D.Pedersn
POSTED August 19th, 2011
Look forward to meet you and the team at Spa next weekend.
matt clayton
POSTED August 22nd, 2011
Good luck mark, we are all behind you for a win.
Richard
POSTED August 23rd, 2011
Hi Mark, I trust you had a nice break, relaxed and ready to take things to the next level in season 2011 and win this weekends Belgium GP, looking forward to watching. You are in a great position second in the championship, with your true Aussie grit let your dream become a reality and take out the WC.
All the best for this weekend and the rest of the season, go get those wins.
Dina A.
POSTED August 23rd, 2011
OMG, my first GP, got tickets for Spa!!! I’m soooo excited!!! …this break was toooo long…
Mark, enjoy the weekend on your favourite track and stay out of trouble!
Hopefully on sunday you and all of us will celebrate your first win of the season, and I’ll leave Spa with a SIGNED “UP FRONT” !!!???? 
GOOD LUCK CHAMP !!!!!
Rose CSD
POSTED August 28th, 2011
One moré year…Spa-Francorchaps
Golf pilot+bad weather=3rd place on the pole position…that’s good.
The race will be tomorrow
TODAY…happy birthday
Congratulations for your renewal with Red Bull team for next season.
“PER MOLTS ANYS” from Girona (Catalunya)
Rose CSD
POSTED August 28th, 2011
I apologize:I have made a mistake. I didn’t want say “golf pilot”…the rigth sentence would be”GOOD pilot”.
I’m learning english…and obviously I must study more.I’M SORRY
Bidi
POSTED August 28th, 2011
You were awesome today Birthday Boy. Looking good for tomorrow
Karina Müller
POSTED August 28th, 2011
Happy Birthday Mark. Just the best for tomorrow and win.
Silvia Müller
POSTED August 28th, 2011
First of all – HAPPY BIRTHDAY – HEALTH AND SUCCSESS – MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE!
For the race tomorrow I wish you all the best, go for the win, I belive on you. All the best and good luck.
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Can’t wait for this race Mark, enjoy the summer break