The 11th round of the 2015 Formula 1 season takes place at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.
The F1 circus will reconvene in the paddock refreshed and ready to get back to racing after the factory shutdown and month-long summer break.
The mid-season pause was painful for fans, but was crucial for those working in the sport following a busy first half of the year on the road. Following the action-packed Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of July, Lewis Hamilton has a 21-point lead in the standings over team-mate Nico Rosberg.
The second part of the season kicks off at Spa-Francorchamps for the 60th Belgian Grand Prix to appear on the F1 calendar. The track, situated in the Ardennes Forest, is a formidable challenge and is world-renowned for its history and drama.
The current layout may be a shadow of its former self - the terrifying 8.761 mile circuit that was raced on until 1978 - but it is still a tricky circuit to master and produces some stunning and memorable racing.
A lap of the 4.352 mile track starts on the pit straight, which leads onto the famous La Source hairpin. This is where the first of two DRS zones will be and the tight right-hander provides a strong overtaking opportunity.
A good exit is crucial for the long run downhill to the second, third and fourth corners. The pit exit feeds cars back out on track to the right-hand side along this straight (which is where the old start line was), before the drivers then tackle the iconic Eau Rouge and Raidillon corners.
The Kemmel Straight is next up and is where the second DRS zone will be, which makes the medium-speed right-left chicane of Les Combes a strong overtaking place. The corner is also the first in the second sector. It is important to get the first part right to gain time through the second section.
Malmedy, Turn 7, is a fast right-hander that is particularly difficult in wet conditions. The drivers then head downhill before tackling Rivage – Turn 8. It is a long hairpin that is followed by the right of Turn 9. A short straight follows before Pouhon, a never-ending left-hander that is one of the toughest to get right at Spa.
The right-left chicane of Des Fagnes is next up before the first of the two right-handers that make up the Stavelot complex. This is where the second sector comes to an end. Part one requires a dab on the brakes, while drivers may need to lift slightly for the second section.
A good exit is crucial for the long, flat-out run through Turns 16 and 17, the latter being Blanchimont. The fast section leads onto the slow final chicane, a right-left section introduced in 2007. It is a good overtaking spot due to the heavy braking zone. The pit lane entry, which is extremely narrow, is to the right-hand side at the last corner.
The current layout shares just three corners with the original circuit – the high-speed Blanchimont corner, the La Source hairpin and the Eau Rouge/Raidillon complex. The charming and characterful venue is a favourite amongst the drivers and teams, thanks to its history, challenging corners and unpredictable weather.
The race holds fond memories for many of the current crop of drivers - Kimi Raikkonen has won there four times, Sebastian Vettel taking victory twice and Felipe Massa, Jenson Button, Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton all triumphing once.
Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver at the race, having won it six times. Ayrton Senna is next up with five victories, while Ferrari leads McLaren in the constructors’ table with 16 wins to 14.
The track features two distinct sections. Sectors one and three are very fast with long straights that require a car with high aero efficiency, while sector two has lots of fast corners that require high grip and downforce levels. F1’s tyre supplier Pirelli will take the white-marked medium and yellow-banded soft compounds to this weekend’s race.
Mercedes will undoubtedly be the team to beat once again, bouncing back from the Hungary disappointment. The long straights will suit Williams, Lotus and Force India, while the second sector will be where Toro Rosso and Red Bull make up more time.
Ferrari could have more of a fight for the final podium spot with Williams, but only if it is a dry race. Sauber will likely be in the midfield battle and have a big upgrade planned for Spa, while McLaren’s MP4-30 will not suit the track and Manor will be hoping to make more small steps forward.
Belgian Grand Prix Fact File:
Location: Francorchamps, Belgium
Track Length: 4.352 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 19 Laps: 44
First race: 1950
Lap record: 1:45.108 - Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, 2004
Tyre compounds: Medium and soft
2014 race winner: Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
2014 pole position: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 2:05.591
2014 fastest lap: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:50.511
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and BBC
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
The mid-season pause was painful for fans, but was crucial for those working in the sport following a busy first half of the year on the road. Following the action-packed Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of July, Lewis Hamilton has a 21-point lead in the standings over team-mate Nico Rosberg.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
The second part of the season kicks off at Spa-Francorchamps for the 60th Belgian Grand Prix to appear on the F1 calendar. The track, situated in the Ardennes Forest, is a formidable challenge and is world-renowned for its history and drama.
The current layout may be a shadow of its former self - the terrifying 8.761 mile circuit that was raced on until 1978 - but it is still a tricky circuit to master and produces some stunning and memorable racing.
A lap of the 4.352 mile track starts on the pit straight, which leads onto the famous La Source hairpin. This is where the first of two DRS zones will be and the tight right-hander provides a strong overtaking opportunity.
A good exit is crucial for the long run downhill to the second, third and fourth corners. The pit exit feeds cars back out on track to the right-hand side along this straight (which is where the old start line was), before the drivers then tackle the iconic Eau Rouge and Raidillon corners.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
The Kemmel Straight is next up and is where the second DRS zone will be, which makes the medium-speed right-left chicane of Les Combes a strong overtaking place. The corner is also the first in the second sector. It is important to get the first part right to gain time through the second section.
Malmedy, Turn 7, is a fast right-hander that is particularly difficult in wet conditions. The drivers then head downhill before tackling Rivage – Turn 8. It is a long hairpin that is followed by the right of Turn 9. A short straight follows before Pouhon, a never-ending left-hander that is one of the toughest to get right at Spa.
The right-left chicane of Des Fagnes is next up before the first of the two right-handers that make up the Stavelot complex. This is where the second sector comes to an end. Part one requires a dab on the brakes, while drivers may need to lift slightly for the second section.
A good exit is crucial for the long, flat-out run through Turns 16 and 17, the latter being Blanchimont. The fast section leads onto the slow final chicane, a right-left section introduced in 2007. It is a good overtaking spot due to the heavy braking zone. The pit lane entry, which is extremely narrow, is to the right-hand side at the last corner.
The current layout shares just three corners with the original circuit – the high-speed Blanchimont corner, the La Source hairpin and the Eau Rouge/Raidillon complex. The charming and characterful venue is a favourite amongst the drivers and teams, thanks to its history, challenging corners and unpredictable weather.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
The race holds fond memories for many of the current crop of drivers - Kimi Raikkonen has won there four times, Sebastian Vettel taking victory twice and Felipe Massa, Jenson Button, Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton all triumphing once.
Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver at the race, having won it six times. Ayrton Senna is next up with five victories, while Ferrari leads McLaren in the constructors’ table with 16 wins to 14.
The track features two distinct sections. Sectors one and three are very fast with long straights that require a car with high aero efficiency, while sector two has lots of fast corners that require high grip and downforce levels. F1’s tyre supplier Pirelli will take the white-marked medium and yellow-banded soft compounds to this weekend’s race.
Mercedes will undoubtedly be the team to beat once again, bouncing back from the Hungary disappointment. The long straights will suit Williams, Lotus and Force India, while the second sector will be where Toro Rosso and Red Bull make up more time.
Ferrari could have more of a fight for the final podium spot with Williams, but only if it is a dry race. Sauber will likely be in the midfield battle and have a big upgrade planned for Spa, while McLaren’s MP4-30 will not suit the track and Manor will be hoping to make more small steps forward.
 |
| © Formula1.com |
Belgian Grand Prix Fact File:
Location: Francorchamps, Belgium
Track Length: 4.352 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 19 Laps: 44
First race: 1950
Lap record: 1:45.108 - Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, 2004
Tyre compounds: Medium and soft
2014 race winner: Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
2014 pole position: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 2:05.591
2014 fastest lap: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:50.511
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and BBC
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