17 - 19 July 2026
Belgian GRAND PRIX ROUND 12
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
- FP1Fri 17 Jul11:3012:30
- FP2Fri 17 Jul15:0016:00
- FP3Sat 18 Jul10:3011:30
- QualifyingSat 18 Jul14:0015:00
- RaceSun 19 Jul13:0015:00
SECTORS
TURNS
FIRST GP
1950
LAPS
44
CIRCUIT LENGTH
7.004
DISTANCE
308.052
The Beast of the Ardennes
It’s easy to run out of superlatives when talking about the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. ‘The Beast of the Ardennes’ showcases Formula 1 at its fastest, most daunting best, replete with history but just as exciting and challenging today as ever. Popular with spectators for the overabundance of wonderful viewing locations, and popular with drivers for the fast, flowing examination of talent it provides.
Setup for Spa is a tricky proposition. The fast first and third sectors are split by the technical turns of the middle. If you bias the setup in favour of the higher downforce Sector 2, the car is vulnerable for the heavy braking zones at La Source, Les Combes and the Bus Stop. If you set up with skinny wings for high-speed performance, time will be lost in the middle of the lap. Choosing the right level of compromise often includes a degree of informed guesswork as the ‘right’ solution is often a moving target.
That isn’t helped by the notorious Ardennes weather. Mixed conditions are normal, with the topography of the circuit meaning it’s perfectly possible for some parts of the lap to be wet while others are bone dry. The length of the lap is also a factor: at 7km (4.3 miles) long, making the wrong decision for tyres causes bigger problems than would be the case at shorter circuits.
Spa-Francorchamps was the scene of Bruce McLaren’s final Formula 1 win: the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix was our first, and the only victory Bruce took for his eponymous team. We’ve had 14 more since then, including 12 at Spa, the latest of which saw Oscar finish ahead of Lando Norris in 2025 for our third 1-2 in a row and our sixth of the season - our highest tally since Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in 1988. Prior to that, it was Jenson Button’s lights-to-flag win in 2012, the British driver’s only Pole for McLaren.
Sending it in Spa 🇧🇪
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It's Oscar’s favourite Formula 1 track, and for good reason. The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of F1’s oldest and greatest venues, regularly delivering thrilling races and enthralling moments – when it isn’t too wet, that is.
The weather conditions in Belgium are known to be… unpredictable, to say the least. Located in the Ardennes Forest, it’s not uncommon for it to be raining one minute and sunny the next. Sometimes, it can even be sunny in one part of the circuit and wet in another. Providing the rain doesn’t get too heavy, these changing conditions can really add to the spectacle.
Even without the added excitement of the unpredictable weather conditions, Spa-Francorchamps would be among F1’s most entertaining circuits. The opening corner, Le Source, offers an instant chance of overtaking and is followed by the famous Eau Rouge/Raidillon sequence, which takes cars downhill and then back up towards the Kemmel Straight and into another overtaking opportunity at Les Combes.
Down the road, you’ll find the high-speed Blanchimont turn, taken flat out at roughly 310 kph, where drivers can line up to move ahead of another overtaking opportunity, at the Bus Stop chicane.
The circuit isn’t entirely high-speed, though. The middle sector is of the tight and technical type, and reminiscent of the Hungaroring. Despite this, teams will generally favour a lower downforce set-up in order to maximise the fast-flowing sections of the circuit.
Stuck for conversation with your F1-loving friends? Spark up a discussion with our F1 icebreaker…
The Belgian Grand Prix is technically a home race for Lando, as his mother was born in Flanders region in the north of Belgium.
Looking back on 2025
