Ardennes forest
Stavelot, Belgium

SPAFRANCORCHAMPS

The Greatest Circuit in the World — Where Eau Rouge tests courage and the Ardennes weather tests everyone.

7.004 km
Circuit Length
44
Race Laps
1950
First GP
102m
Elevation Change
Est. 1921

The History of Spa

A century in the Ardennes

Spa-Francorchamps is often called the greatest racing circuit in the world. Carved into the Ardennes forest in Belgium, the original 14-kilometer circuit used public roads and was terrifyingly fast. The modern 7km layout, while shorter, retains the character that makes Spa special.

The circuit's signature is Eau Rouge and Raidillon—a compression followed by a blind, uphill left-right-left sequence taken at over 300 km/h. It's the ultimate test of driver commitment. Getting it right is exhilarating; getting it wrong is terrifying.

Spa is famous for its unpredictable weather. The circuit is so long that it can rain at one end while the sun shines at the other. Drivers must constantly adapt, and strategy teams must make decisions with incomplete information.

The flowing corners—Pouhon, Blanchimont, the Bus Stop—reward bravery and precision. Unlike modern circuits with their endless run-off areas, Spa punishes mistakes. The barriers are close, and respect is mandatory.

Ask any F1 driver their favorite circuit, and Spa is almost always in the top three. It's a place where the best drivers can make a difference, where car and driver must work in perfect harmony.

Forest road
7 km
The Longest F1 Circuit

Legendary Moments

The races that defined Spa

1950

The First Belgian GP

Juan Manuel Fangio wins the first World Championship race at Spa on the original 14km circuit through public roads in the Ardennes.

1992

Schumacher's Breakthrough

Michael Schumacher wins his first F1 race at Spa, beginning a legendary career. He would win at Spa six times.

1998

Chaos in the Fog

A massive first-lap crash in wet conditions takes out 13 cars. Damon Hill wins for Jordan—their first and only victory.

2000

Häkkinen vs Schumacher

Mika Häkkinen overtakes Michael Schumacher around the outside at 300 km/h while lapping Ricardo Zonta. One of the greatest moves ever.

2008

Hamilton's Controversial Win

Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Räikkönen battle in the rain. Hamilton wins on track but is penalized for cutting a chicane, giving the win to Felipe Massa.

2021

The Shortest Race

Heavy rain means only two laps behind the safety car. Max Verstappen is declared winner of the shortest race in F1 history.

Spa Champions

The masters of the Ardennes

Michael Schumacher

6 Wins

Germany1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002

Ayrton Senna

5 Wins

Brazil1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

Kimi Räikkönen

4 Wins

Finland2004, 2005, 2007, 2009

Jim Clark

4 Wins

UK1962, 1963, 1964, 1965

Lewis Hamilton

4 Wins

UK2010, 2015, 2017, 2020

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