Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

What is a lap of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps like?

The longest lap on the calendar at 7.004 km, famous for the steep climb through Eau Rouge and Raidillon, with a maximum gradient of 15%, onto the Kemmel Straight towards the Les Combes chicane. Set-up is a trade-off: low downforce suits the long straights of the first and third sectors, while the twisty middle sector, including the near-flat double left at Pouhon, rewards more downforce. The Ardennes microclimate means it can be raining on one part of the circuit while another stays dry; the track drops 102 m from its highest point at Malmedy (Turn 7) to its lowest at Curve Paul Frère (Turn 15). The final Bus Stop chicane is named after a bus stop on what used to be a public road; it was reshaped and the pit lane rebuilt for the 2007 race, and Turn 9 was named after Jacky Ickx in 2018.

Lap length

7.004 km

Turns

19

Direction

clockwise

Downforce

Medium

Longest straight

1,050 m

Elevation change

102 m

DRS zones (to 2025)

2

Character

High speed (about 30% of the lap is cornering)

Layout described

7.004 km Grand Prix layout with the pit lane and Bus Stop chicane rebuilt for 2007, used for every Belgian Grand Prix from 2007 to 2025.

Map, character and grey values are approximate (measured from a GPS trace). Report a correction.

Does pole position win at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps?

The pole sitter has won 24 of 59 races here (41%). Across all circuits since 1950 the pole sitter wins 44% of races. The winner started from the front row (P1 or P2) in 37 of 59 races (63%) and from the top three in 45 (76%). Lowest grid position to win: 16th, Michael Schumacher in 1995.

Where the winner started, every race at this circuit. Pole sitter means the driver who set the fastest qualifying time (first on the grid where no qualifying data exists); a grid penalty can move the pole sitter back, and that race still counts for them. Compare every circuit.

How are races at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps won?

Since 2010

16 races; winners made 1 stop in 5, 2 stops in 10, 3 or more in 1; first stop at a median lap 13 (29% of the race)

1994 to 2009 (refuelling)

14 races; winners made 2 stops in 14; first stop at a median lap 14 (32% of the race)

Lap times over the years

All races at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps