NEXT RACE

Circuit National de Francorchamps
Track length 6.976 km
Number of laps 44
Total track length 306.944 km
Number of turns 20
Downforce setup Low
Driving direction Clockwise
ContactPhone: +32 87 22 44 66
Fax: +32 87 22 44 55
InfoSeats: 90.000
Created in: 1950

The track

Three cheers – Spa is back. Again, that is, as the popular Ardennes track returns to the F1 calendar after its second absence in five years. The track has seen substantial revisions at Bernie Ecclestone’s behest, not all of which have been welcomed. The new pit lane entrance in particular has been criticised for being too narrow. The bus stop chicane has been revised and tightened, and now has Astroturf bordering the outside to prevent drivers deliberately running wide as the British Formula Three drivers were when they visited the track a few weeks ago.
Finally, the start/finish line has been lengthened and widened, creating a longer run into the La Source hairpin. But the corners that make Spa special – Eau Rouge, Pouhon, Stavelot, Blanchimont and the rest – have wisely been left well alone. The other main concern at Spa is the weather, which can turn from beaming rays of sun to downpour without warning. The long circuit occasionally sees rain on some parts and not others, and the teams learned in 2005 that it can take a long time to dry. Wet weather could provoke an appearance of the safety car, which could play a crucial role in the championship if it happens to disadvantage one of the top four drivers – as happened to Fernando Alonso in Montreal.

TV times
Qualifying live - 12.30pm - 2.20pm Saturday 15th September, ITV4Race live - 12.00pm - 3.05pm Sunday 16th September, ITV1Race highlights - 10.45pm - 11.45pm Sunday, ITV1Race highlights - 6.00pm - 7.00pm Monday 17th September, ITV4

PAST WINNERS
2005 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren 1:30:01.295 2004
Kimi Räikkönen McLaren 1:32:35.274 2002
Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:21:20.634 2001
Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:08:05.002 2000
Mika Häkkinen McLaren 1:28:14.494 1999
David Coulthard McLaren 1:25:43.057 1998
Damon Hill Jordan 1:43:47.407 1997
Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:33:46.717 1996
Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:28:15.125 1995
Michael Schumacher Benetton 1:36:47.875 1994
Damon Hill Williams 1:28:47.170 1993
Damon Hill Williams 1:24:32.124 1992
Michael Schumacher Benetton 1:36:10.721 1991
Ayrton Senna McLaren 1:27:17.669