2008 Belgian F1 GP Preview
Formula 1 at Spa-Francorchamps for Belgian Grand Prix
The Spa-Francorchamps track, situated in the Ardennes region of Belgium, is one of the oldest on the F1 calendar. Although it has been considerably shortened over the years from its original length of over nine miles, it remains the longest track the F1 drivers face. It is adored by fans and drivers alike, with some of the best corners in Grand Prix racing. The circuit is also renowned for its unpredictable weather.
History
Racing has taken place at Spa since 1921, originally on a course made up of public roads. From those early days it has always rewarded driving ability. Among the early winners of the Belgian Grand Prix were Antonio Ascari (who won the inaugural GP in 1925), Tazio Nuvolari and Rudolf Carraciola.
After the Second World War Spa found a place as a round of the newly formed World Championship. Once again the greats of the day excelled there, with Alberto Ascari, Juan-Manuel Fangio and Jim Clark all taking multiple victories. Although the circuit provided great racing it was also exceedingly dangerous. Clark almost retired from racing after the 1960 race, when British drivers Chris Bristow and Alan Stacey both lost their lives.
By the early seventies Spa was considered too dangerous for modern F1 machinery, and it would be 1983 before the Grand Prix circus returned, on a much shorter version of the track. Despite the alterations the circuit retained much of its character, in particular the daunting Eau Rouge corner, considered by many to be the best in the world.
2008 Prospects
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen will head to Spa full of confidence, having won there on the last three occasions. Felipe Massa will be determined to keep ahead of his team-mate in the points table in the hope that Ferrari will focus their title challenge on him. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton will be hoping that his McLaren is closer to the pace of Massa's Ferrari than it was last time out in Valencia.
The teams are currently testing at Monza and Sebastian Vettel has again been outpacing the sister cars of Red Bull with his Toro Rosso. Nico Rosberg has also been posting impressive times for Williams, and will be desparately hoping for an upturn in his fortunes. So far the 2008 season has yielded just nine points for the German.
Facts and Figures
Race date: Sunday, 7th September
Race distance: 44 laps
Circuit length: 4.352 miles (7.004 km)
Lap record: 1 minute, 45.108 seconds (Kimi Raikkonen - McLaren, 2004)
Weather forecast: Dull and overcast with rain showers.
Ferrari will hope for improved reliability
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