Panoramic view of the Belgian countryside with green fields overlooking the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in the distance.

14 July 2026

Spa: the true test of an F1® driver.

Kicking off the final double-header before the summer break, Audi Revolut F1® Team tackles legendary Spa-Francorchamps for the first time – a track which challenges car and driver like no other. Fresh from a points finish at the British Grand Prix, Audi Revolut F1® Team is on the road to Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the latest stop on Formula 1®’s European tour. The Belgian Grand Prix takes place in the heart of the Ardennes Forest, on a circuit which has, in its various forms, tested drivers for over a century.

F1®’s elite drivers relish the challenge of taming Spa. Its fabled corners and tests of skill put this track firmly in the conversation whenever drivers are asked to name their favourite circuit. From its challenging turns, to its huge elevation changes and unique weather conditions, Spa-Francorchamps is a true driver’s circuit.

Track-level view of a sweeping section of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps with barriers and surrounding forest.

Elevation unlike any other.

From the climb through Eau Rouge and Raidillon, to the downhill sections later in the lap, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps has the largest elevation change of any track on the Formula 1® calendar.

With over 100 metres between its highest and lowest points, the 44 laps of the Belgian Grand Prix are a real rollercoaster ride for our drivers on Sunday afternoon. The constant climbs and descents affect braking points, traction and tyre loading, demanding confidence from the driver with every turn of the wheel.

Sunrise aerial view of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps surrounded by mist-covered forests and rolling hills.

Long-exposure view of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps with colorful racing light trails curving through the landscape.

F1®’s longest circuit.

Although truncated from its former 14km run between three nearby villages, the 7km-long Spa-Francorchamps remains the longest track F1® visits all season. 20 iconic corners are packed into a lap of the track, each tour presenting a continuous sequence of challenges.

The track’s length can impact strategy calls across the 44-lap Belgian Grand Prix. A shorter pit lane loss time than most other circuits, paired with a high likelihood of Safety Car or VSC call outs, means multi-stop strategies are attractive at Spa. Careful tyre management across the long lap and clear communication with the pit wall is a must.

Aerial view of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps showing the racetrack winding through forested hills.

Race car light trails speeding through a forested section of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps at dusk.

The balance of speed and downforce.

Setting up the R26 for a lap of Spa-Francorchamps requires a fine balance between downforce and top speed. Reducing drag for the long Kemmel Straight while maintaining enough aerodynamic grip for the Eau Rouge section is essential.

Finding the right ride height is another compromise. It must be high enough to avoid excessive plank wear through the elevation changes, without leaving any tenths of outright performance on the table. Mastering this area is essential for a strong race.

Sunlit countryside near Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps with grazing cattle in a grassy field at sunset.

Weather on the horizon.

Spa’s extremely changeable weather conditions can catch even the most experienced drivers out. The weather here can turn in an instant, and with rain forecast for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix weekend, planning for all weather is vital.

Given the length of the circuit, the elevation changes and Spa’s micro-climate, it’s entirely possible that one end of the track could be experiencing completely different weather conditions to the other. Fluid weather situations keep both the drivers and race strategists on their toes, where the driver’s inherent feel for the conditions and the strategist’s split-second decision-making can have a direct impact on the race result.

Exterior of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps building with the venue name displayed alongside national flags.

Track facts

Spa in numbers.

Circuit
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Location
Stavelot, Belgium
Circuit Length
7.004 km
Race distance
308.052 km
Number of laps
44
First Grand Prix
1950
Fastest race lap
1:44.701, Sergio Perez, 2024
2026 weekend format
Standard weekend

Black-and-white aerial view of the Les Combes section winding through mist-covered forests at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

Spa’s key corners.

La Source:

Drivers will need their wits about them when they head to Turn 1 – the U-shaped La Source – on Sunday. Staying out of trouble at this hairpin-like turn on the opening lap, especially when starting from the midfield, is essential.

Eau Rouge:

A tight left hander, named after the red-water river which runs below it. A clean exit from Eau Rouge is key to securing maximum speed through the climb and long straight that follow.

Raidillon:

The most famous hill in motorsport. An 18% gradient, Raidillon is a timeless test of driver commitment.

Les Combes:

A highly technical part of the circuit, where lap time can be lost and gained easily. This left-right chicane must be handled with care, in order to get the best exit onto the downhill section which comes next.

Pouhon:

The double left which continues the circuit’s descent at high speed. Car placement is critical – commit early and trust the grip available.

Blanchimont:

There’s plenty of run-off area at Blanchimont – with good reason. High speeds on this challenging bend require drivers to be inch perfect on entry.

Ready for Spa.

Spa remains one of Formula 1®’s ultimate tests, one that demands precision, bravery and teamwork in equal measure. Both Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have proven capable of producing Q3 appearances and points finishes in the past at a track which demands everything from a driver. Their experience will be invaluable, as will the team’s ability to find the right compromises and react quickly to whatever this track throws at them, as Audi Revolut F1® Team gets ready to grasp the challenge of Spa with both hands when the tight midfield battle continues in Belgium.

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