The Circuit

Turn 1: A tight first corner with heavy braking down to 60kph before leading into the downhill secti💙on.

Turn 2: The run down Eau Rouge and into Raidillion creates extreme suspension compression as the relief changes from downhill to 🍃uphill. Good engine power is ꦿrequired for the uphill drag.

Turn 5: Top speeds of 330kph - one of the highest of the season - before braking down to 3rd gear and 140kph for 🌄this right hander.

Turn 8: Rivage provides a good challenge as it is a medium speed 180 degree corner heading straight into Turn 9.𓆉 Good balance and change of direction are required here.

Turn 10: Pouhon is a high speed left-hꦺander, with entry taken at nearly 300kph.

Turns 14 + 15: Turn 1ꦍ4 is taken at 140kph before the cars accelerate through Curve Paul Fr?re - wh𒊎ich is taken at 100kph faster than that - before leading into the flat out Turns 16 and 17.

Turn 18: With heavy braking into the chicane after a prolonged high speed section, the brakes need to be꧑ ready instantly. Turn 18 provides a good overtaking opportunity.

The Car

Front Wing: Teams tend to use compara♉bly more front wing here compared to lower ꧒speed tracks to help diminish understeer in the high speed corners.

Rear Wing: Spa is very much an aerodynamic efficiency circuit where you need a reasonable amount of downforce without too much detrimental drag. Teams run a 🐽similar amount of rear wing to Canada which is a medium dಞownforce setting.

Suspension: This is primarily a high speed circuit and there isn't much use of the kerbs, so suspension is tailored to high speed balance ra💛ther than low speed travel.

Brakes: There are not many braking demands here which means the focus is on keeping the brakes warm so they work immediately when required. There are three major braking areas; into the first corner, the Turn 5 chicane, and then the former bus stop chicane. These sectio꧋ns also offer the main overtaking opportunities.

Tyres: This is a circuit which puts high demand on the tyres. Also, the weather in the Ardennes can be very variable - even over the course of a lap - so tyre choice is cru𓄧cial.

Engine: You need an engine with a strong top end here; especially🅠 for the drag up Raidillon and the Kemmel Straight which follows, as this is slightly uphill all the way t🐎o Turn 5. Elsewhere too, good horsepower is rewarded in many sections of the lap, especially due to its undulating nature.

Feature courtesy of Lotus F1 Team