Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (French pronunciation: [siʁkɥi də spa fʁɑ̃kɔʁʃɑ̃]), informally referred to as Spa, is a 7.004 km (4.352 mi) motor-racing circuit located in Francorchamps, Stavelot, Wallonia, Belgium, about 8 km (5.0 mi) southeast of Spa. It is the current venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix, hosting its first Grand Prix in 1925, and has held a Grand Prix every year since 1985 except 2003 and 2006.
| Location | Stavelot, Belgium |
|---|---|
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST) |
| Coordinates | 50°26′14″N 5°58′17″E |
| Capacity | 70,000 |
| FIA Grade | 1 (GP) 2 (Motorcycle) 6R (Rallycross) |
| Opened | August 1921 |
| Architect | Jules de Thier & Henri Langlois van Ophem |
| Major events | Current: Formula One Belgian Grand Prix (intermittently 1925–1970, 1983–present) Intercontinental GT Challenge Spa 24 Hours (1924–1934, 1936, 1938, 1948–1949, 1953, 1964–present) FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Spa (1953, 1963–1975, 1981–1990, 1999–present) FIM Endurance World Championship 24H Spa EWC Motos (1973–2001, 2022–present) TCR World Tour (2023) European Le Mans Series (2004–2011, 2016–present) Former: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix (1949–1979, 1981–1986, 1988–1990) FIA World Rallycross Championship World RX of Benelux (2019, 2021–2022) WTCC Race of Belgium (2005, 2014) World SBK (1992) DTM (2005, 2020, 2022) FFSA GT Championship (1998, 2008, 2013–2015, 2019, 2021–2022) |
| Website | www |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2007–present) | |
| Length | 7.004 km (4.352 miles) |
| Turns | 20 |
| Race lap record | 1:46.286 (Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W09, 2018, Formula One) |
| Motorcycle Circuit (2022–present) | |
| Length | 6.985 km (4.341 miles) |
| Turns | 20 |
| Race lap record | 2:20.578 (Sylvain Guintoli, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2023, FIM EWC) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2004–2006) | |
| Length | 6.976 km (4.335 miles) |
| Turns | 19 |
| Race lap record | 1:45.108 (Kimi Räikkönen, McLaren MP4-19B, 2004, Formula One) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1995–2003) | |
| Length | 6.968 km (4.330 miles) |
| Turns | 19 |
| Race lap record | 1:47.176 (Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2002, 2002, Formula One) |
| Grand Prix Circuit with chicane at Eau Rouge (1994) | |
| Length | 7.001 km (4.350 miles) |
| Turns | 19 |
| Race lap record | 1:57.117 (Damon Hill, Williams FW16B, 1994, Formula One) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1981–1993) | |
| Length | 6.940 km (4.312 miles) |
| Turns | 19 |
| Race lap record | 1:51.095 (Alain Prost, Williams FW15C, 1993, Formula One) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1979–1980) | |
| Length | 6.947 km (4.317 miles) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 2:48.800 (Gordon Spice, Ford Capri III 3.0S, 1979, Group 1) |
| Old Circuit (1939–1978) | |
| Length | 14.100 km (8.761 miles) |
| Turns | 21 |
| Race lap record | 3:13.400 (Henri Pescarolo, Matra-Simca MS670B, 1973, Group 5) |
| Original Pre-War Circuit (1921–1938) | |
| Length | 14.982 km (9.310 miles) |
| Turns | 25 |
| Race lap record | 5:04.100 (Hermann Lang, Mercedes-Benz W125, 1937, GP) |
Spa also hosts several other international events including the 24 Hours of Spa, the World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. It is also the host of the Uniroyal Fun Cup 25 Hours of Spa, one of the longest motor races in the world.
The circuit has undergone several redesigns through its history, most extensively in 1979 when the track was modified and shortened from a 14.100 km (8.761 mi) circuit using public roads to a 6.947 km (4.317 mi) permanent circuit due to safety concerns with the old circuit.