SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium - The season resumes after the four-week summer break with the Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Now begins the second half of the season with just nine races left before the season culminates in Brazil. Currently, Sebastian Vettel leads the Drivers Championship by 38 points, and INFINITI Red Bull Racing leads the Constructors Championship by 69 points.
Known as the longest circuit on the current Formula One schedule, Spa-Francorchamps captures fans' attention with top speeds, 19 winding corners, and a strong sense of history. The first turn has seen a fair share of crashes, including one last year that prematurely ended Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton's races during Lap One. From there drivers continue on to the famous Eau Rouge (Turn 3), where they experience many altitude changes while racing at speeds of up to 310 km/h.
The weather is often an unpredictable factor at Spa-Francorchamps. Due to the incredible length of the circuit, it's entirely possible for it to be pouring rain at one end of the circuit and beaming sunshine at the other end. With this in mind, both teams and drivers will need to have a tire strategy prepared that will encompass both weather conditions.
Neither driver is a stranger to the podium. Since 2010, at least one team driver has appeared on the podium and the team took home a 1-2 finish in 2011 with Sebastian Vettel on the top step of the podium.
Sebastian Vettel will be hoping to improve on his third place finish in Hungary while teammate Mark Webber will definitely be pushing to win here for the first time in his last season as a Formula One driver.
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Circuit Guide
When the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps originally opened in 1950, the track carved through the forests for a remarkable 14.9km. Although it was closed and reconstructed in 1979 to enforce stricter safety guidelines, the 7 km track that remains still retains the same sense of history as the original circuit. Today it is still the longest circuit on the current calendar, and attracts Formula One fans' attention as it marks the end of the summer holiday at the beginning of the second half of the season.
As drivers battle to enter the first corner at the beginning of the race, they must first skillfully navigate the tricky first corner, La Source, which has been the location of many famous crashes. From there, drivers speed through to Turn Three, Eau Rouge, which is one of the most famous and one of the most technically demanding corners due to the elevation change and the high speeds required to conquer it.
The straight leading into Les Combes puts the engine under strain as they are on full throttle for 23 seconds. Les Combes is also the best spot for overtaking.
The most unpredictable variable is the Belgian weather. Due to the enormous size of the circuit, it's entirely possible for it to be pouring rain at one end, and blisteringly hot at the other end. Teams should be careful to choose tires that will accommodate both types of weather and the high-speed corners.
This historic circuit is sure to provide high-speeds, thrilling overtakes, and a great return from the summer holiday break.
Key Track Statistics
Local start time: 14h00
Number of laps: 44
Circuit length: 7.004km
Race distance: 308.052km
Grand Prix debut: 1950
Lap record: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing, 2010), 1:47.263
2012 Qualifying
1. Jenson Button (McLaren)
2. Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber)
3. Pastor Maldonado (Williams)
7. Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
11. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2012 Race Results
1. Jenson Button (McLaren)
2. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
6. Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
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